Nanaimo council debates socially responsible investing

🎧 Listen in your podcast app: Apple Podcasts / Google Play

Socially responsible investing was the subject of a lively debate around the council table in Nanaimo on Monday.

Councillor Ben Gesselbracht brought forward a motion calling for a staff report with options to update the city’s investment policy to include a percentage of the city’s portfolio in socially responsible and low greenhouse gas emissions.

It narrowly passed following a 5-4 vote.

The issue was debated by the previous council in 2021, who came to a decision to pursue socially responsible and green investments when they were within 5 per cent of maximum available yields.

Nanaimo has around 200 million dollars in various reserve funds.

Midcoast Morning spoke with Gesselbracht, and broke down council’s debate on the subject with Peter Urbanc, CEO of BC’s Municipal Finance Authority (MFA).

Transcript:

Transcription Incoming.

Report Transcription errors by emailing production@chly.ca.

Guests:

  • Ben Gesselbracht - Councillor, City of Nanaimo

  • Peter Urbanc - CEO, Municipal Finance Authority of BC

Program Team:

  • Joe Pugh — Host and Producer.

  • Jesse Woodward — Executive Producer.

  • Arbie Fru — Technical Assistance.

Theme Music:

Have a tip? Email: news@chly.ca.

Find us on social media:

Twitter: @chly1017FM

Funded by Sustaining Donors and the Community Radio Fund of Canada’s Radiometres program. Sustain CHLY’s News Department for many years to come by signing up for a monthly Sustaining Donation.

Joe Pugh