Jamie Hari
City/Township Council · Waterloo
Back to candidatesThis candidate finalized their responses after this guide and scoring methodology was published.
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
- 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
- Implement new punitive fines for builders and landlords found in violation of existing and expanded environmental building standards.
C. Infrastructure and capital planning
- Require climate risk and lifecycle cost analysis in major capital decisions
- Prioritize active transportation and transit investment
- Require climate change mitigation and adaptation impact assessments for large growth decisions (greenfield expansions
- settlement boundary changes) AND Require an assessment of impacts on aquifer recharge.
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
Mandate energy performance standards for all new housing (i.e., rental and purchased) and all existing rental properties.
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on sustainability?candidate's own words
The planet is literally dying and somehow we are not in the streets with pitchforks every day demanding action from our governments. We've officially passed 1.5C; terrible global impacts are now inevitable. The only thing we can do now is act to lessen how bad it will be.