Marty Rempel
City/Township Council · Waterloo Ward 5
Back to candidatesClimate & Sustainability
- Climate change is an urgent and defining crisis of our time; reducing greenhouse gas emissions should be a primary consideration across municipal decision-making
- Our local and regional governments need to renew coordinated action towards implementing the Transform Waterloo Region strategy
- Where possible, require or incentivize energy efficiency standards in new development, beyond current provincial minimums, Require green infrastructure as part of development approvals (e.g. stormwater management, tree canopy, permeable surfaces), Protect groundwater recharge to preserve water sustainability
- Require climate change mitigation and adaptation impact assessments for large growth decisions (greenfield expansions, settlement boundary changes)
- Require an assessment of impacts on aquifer recharge
- Coordinate road reconstruction with underground infrastructure So you dig once
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
One policy I would prioritize is a Climate-Smart Capital Standard for major municipal infrastructure projects. Before Council approves a major capital project, staff should be required to compare options based on their total lifecycle cost and greenhouse-gas emissions—not simply the initial construction price. Smart Growth!
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on sustainability?candidate's own words
Our current water supply is not sustainable simply by digging deeper and adding more wells does not equate to longevity of supply. Decelopment disregards the aquifers ability to recharge.