Victoria Robertson

City/Township Council · Waterloo Ward 3

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

This 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
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
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

Prioritize active transportation and transit investment
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

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

Prioritizing effective land use choices such as mixed-use zoning, density, and active transport networks tied into greenways are campaign priorities, all of which tie into GHG emissions reductions. By incentivizing areas for effective public and active transport, we build a city where residents are not as dependent on cars, thereby reducing one of our primary emissions concerns.

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

I have a Masters in Environmental Sciences, studying carbon emissions from thawing permafrost plateaus. I am intimately familiar with the urgency of this work, and feel that all levels of government must be taking responsibility for climate sustainability policy.