Anna Meksavanh

Regional Council · Region of Waterloo

All topics Housing Getting Around Climate Food Growth & Planning Budget & Taxes Water

Climate & Sustainability

How should municipalities and the Region incorporate climate and sustainability into policy, including development and infrastructure decisions?select up to 3 per part

A. Perspective on climate change

Climate change is an urgent and defining crisis of our time; reducing greenhouse gas emissions should be a primary consideration across municipal decision-making
Commitments passed by previous councils, like the 50x30 pledge or declarations of climate emergencies, should guide current council decision making, Our local and regional governments need to renew coordinated action towards implementing the Transform Waterloo Region strategy

B. Building and development standards

Create financial incentives for low-carbon construction (e.g. development charge reductions, expedited approvals, density bonuses), Require green infrastructure as part of development approvals (e.g. stormwater management, tree canopy, permeable surfaces)
Use development agreements to require climate sustainability measures as a condition of approval

C. Infrastructure and capital planning

Require climate risk and lifecycle cost analysis in major capital decisions
Require an assessment of impacts on aquifer recharge
Align municipal operations (fleet, facilities, procurement) with regional climate commitments

Describe one concrete policy, incentive, or decision you would prioritize to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Where possible, explain how it balances environmental goals with fiscal responsibility.candidate's own words

Ensuring our house is in order would be a good start, so I would support transitioning part of the municipal fleet to lower-emission vehicles. It balances environmental goals with fiscal responsibility as the transitioning process would be phased, helping to offset higher upfront costs with long-term operational savings. There is also the opportunity to not have the funding come out of property taxes and leverage external funding and financing options. This will also help the Region fulfill its 50x30 pledge for reducing greenhouse gases.

Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on sustainability?candidate's own words

Sustainability is no longer an optional choice or a passing fad; it has become an absolute necessity. To ensure our communities remain resilient and supportive for future generations, we must adopt sustainable practices that help us adapt to a changing climate and protect our local economy.