Waterloo — Mayor
3 candidates responded
Dorothy McCabe 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)
- Provincial legislation does not allow municipalities to require sustainability measures as conditions for approval
- Require climate risk and lifecycle cost analysis in major capital decisions
- 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
Support for the expansion of the RetroFitWR program to the Waterloo and Kitchener and the twps.
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on sustainability?candidate's own words
My decisions over my first term and my previous work as a Climate Action volunteer etc demonstrates my commitment.
Jamie Hari 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
- 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
- Implement new punitive fines for builders and landlords found in violation of existing and expanded environmental building standards.
- Require climate risk and lifecycle cost analysis in major capital decisions
- Prioritize active transportation and transit investment
- Require climate change mitigation and adaptation impact assessments for large growth decisions (greenfield expansions
- settlement boundary changes) AND 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
Mandate energy performance standards for all new housing (i.e., rental and purchased) and all existing rental properties.
Would you like to provide any additional context for your views on sustainability?candidate's own words
The planet is literally dying and somehow we are not in the streets with pitchforks every day demanding action from our governments. We've officially passed 1.5C; terrible global impacts are now inevitable. The only thing we can do now is act to lessen how bad it will be.
Jeyas Balaskanthan 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
- Create financial incentives for low-carbon construction (e.g. development charge reductions, expedited approvals, density bonuses)
- Maintain current standards: additional requirements are best set at the provincial or federal level
- Require climate risk and lifecycle cost analysis in major capital decisions
- Prioritize active transportation and transit investment
- Require climate change mitigation and adaptation impact assessments for large growth decisions (greenfield expansions, settlement boundary changes)
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
As Mayor, I would support land use reforms and other rules that make building walkable neighbourhoods easier, which would be the one of the most impactful long-term changes we can make.
On the ballot but have not responded to survey (2)
- Jerry Jiang
- Shannon Weber
Full candidate list: CBC Waterloo Region election coverage ↗