Triple bottom line
Published September 14, 2005
Triple bottom line is an expression heard quite a bit in the County these days though I am sure that most folks do not really understand what it means. I certainly did not until I found myself in this job. In brief, there are three principal standards and whatever we do must meet these standards such that one is not sacrificed for the others. The three are environmental, economic and social.
While the term "Triple bottom line" could be just another business cliche, in Strathcona, the concept has meaning. It is evolving into an effective method of ensuring that your municipal government is doing what it is supposed to be doing to look after your interests in these three key areas.
There is already in place a methodology for evaluating environmental impact. Planning and Development reviews each potential development against the county Prioritized Landscape Ecology Assessment (PLEA). This ensures that wildlife habitat, wetlands, forests, water resources and drainage are taken into account through the establishment of Environmental Reserves and easements. Other county departments have or are establishing environmental criteria for activities such as road and parks maintenance, an example being the Pesticides Reduction Program currently being set up.
Economic Impact is the area that affects us most directly through taxes and user fees. On a macro basis, the County does a thorough job of preparing and controlling annual budgets, monitoring spending on capital and operations. I believe it is time that we began applying economic principles at even a more detailed level than an annual budget. I propose that each new initiative whether industrial, commercial or residential be required through a formal cost/benefit analysis, to show its economic impact upon the community. Rather than continue the endless political rhetoric as to what is good for us, let;s see some numbers.
Social impact is the hardest of the three to quantify and directly or indirectly, covers a much broader spectrum - crime, traffic, poverty, aging, recreation. Nevertheless, we must address and mitigate the effect of growth and change upon the people who live here and whom we serve. Strathcona has begun this process through a Social Development Framework. Once this is completed, we will be able to evaluate performance in this important area.
The duty of the County is to strike a balance among the demands of the triple bottom line. I look forward to a careful application of logical principles to ensure this outcome.
Alan Dunn
Councillor, Ward 6
780-464-8206
dunn@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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