Kitchener — Ward 9
1 candidate responded
Debbie Chapman See responses
- 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
- 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
- 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
I have three policies that I think should be adopted. 1) I would like to see our ability to require green development standards reinstated on all new developments. 2) I have been pushing for geothermal energy on all new builds for several years now and every planning application we receive (until very recently) has stated that 'geothermal is prohibited'. Geothermal district energy plants where multiple buildings are to be constructed such as the Schneider site or the Mill/Ottawa site, should be required. These would make a big difference in our GHG emissions. 3) A third policy is to focus on retrofitting and reusing rather than demolishing and building new.
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on sustainability?candidate's own words
Kitchener declared a Climate emergency in 2019. More needs to be done to meet our 50 by 30 goal.
On the ballot but have not responded to survey (2)
- Mohamed Askalany
- Tim Willcox
Full candidate list: CBC Waterloo Region election coverage ↗