Matt Rodrigues

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
Climate change needs action and local governments can contribute in a few areas, but this is an issue better addressed at provincial and federal levels, Our local and regional governments need to renew coordinated action towards implementing the Transform Waterloo Region strategy

B. Building and development standards

Where possible, require or incentivize energy efficiency standards in new development, beyond current provincial minimums, Create financial incentives for low-carbon construction (e.g. development charge reductions, expedited approvals, density bonuses)

C. Infrastructure and capital planning

Require climate risk and lifecycle cost analysis in major capital decisions
Prioritize active transportation and transit investment
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

We need to continue and recommit to our commitments under TransformWR. I continue to advocate for ending the longstanding subsidy that municipalities provide to for-profit natural gas utilities using public land. If successful in our advocacy, this policy change would require for-profit natural gas utilities to pay the costs of using public land and help incentivize the transition to alternative energy sources.

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

My priorities also reflect other measures like supporting our Regional Forests, retrofitting Regional housing buildings over time, and re-imagining how we manage waste.