SSEA municipalities celebrate major climate action milestone

Port McNicoll, ON: The Severn Sound Environmental Association (SSEA) is proud to announce that local municipalities across the Severn Sound watershed have reached Milestone 4 – Implementation in the Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) program. This milestone recognizes municipal efforts to implement climate action plans developed since 2018, building on sustainability planning that began with the 2009 Severn Sound Sustainability Plan. 

Through PCP, a free, voluntary program administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and ICLEI Canada, municipalities have calculated greenhouse gas (GHG) baselines, set reduction targets, and developed action plans. Milestone 4 celebrates the implementation of these plans. The Towns of Midland and Penetanguishene, alongside the Townships of Tay, Tiny, Severn, Oro-Medonte, and Georgian Bay achieved the milestone in late 2025.

The milestone provides an opportunity to celebrate municipal climate leadership by recognizing local efforts such as investing in infrastructure and drinking water systems, enhancing community tree canopies, planting pollinator friendly flower species and naturalizing green spaces.

Municipalities have shown climate leadership by purchasing electric vehicles for their municipal fleets, installing EV charging stations across the region, and investing in energy audits for municipal facilities. Municipalities have shown  strong resiliency by responding swiftly to severe weather events, setting up warming centres in response to the 2025 Ice Storm and other adverse weather events.

“The SSEA is proud of the ongoing collaborative work on climate change through the Sustainable Severn Sound project. Our municipal partners have shown leadership in sustainability and climate change policies, and the SSEA is fortunate to work collaboratively with dedicated staff. Congratulations to the municipalities on achieving this Milestone and we look forward to achieving the final PCP Milestone 5 and continuing advancing local environmental action.” – Julie Cayley, Executive Director, SSEA.

"Congratulations to the Towns of Midland, Penetanguishene, and the Townships of Tiny, Tay, Severn, Oro-Medonte, and Georgian Bay on achieving Milestone 4 - Implementation. Municipalities have answered the call to action and FCM is pleased that more than 500 Canadian municipalities have joined the Partners for Climate Protection program." – Rebecca Bligh, FCM President

“We’re excited to celebrate the hard work by municipal staff and the community to address climate change. It’s important for municipalities to collaborate on regional issues, and we’re appreciative of the assistance and coordination from the SSEA to advance climate action.” – Suzanne Marchand, SSEA Vice Chair, Councillor, Town of Penetanguishene