Vikki Poirier

City/Township Council · Kitchener Ward 4

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

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)

C. Infrastructure and capital planning

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

I would prioritize energy-saving upgrades to City-owned buildings that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money over time. This could include better heating and cooling systems, insulation, and other energy-saving upgrades. I would also look closely at the City budget before supporting new spending. We are being asked to do more with less, so we need to know what we can afford, what funding is available, and which projects will give us the best results for the money we spend. Protecting our environment and being responsible with taxpayer dollars need to go hand in hand.