Protecting Our Environment

I support protecting Saanich’s parks, natural areas, watersheds, wetlands, tree canopy and biodiversity while continuing practical progress toward net-zero emissions.

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Saanich’s natural environment is central to our identity and quality of life. Forests, wetlands, streams and shorelines also provide essential services by storing carbon, managing stormwater, reducing heat, supporting wildlife and strengthening resilience to climate change.

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Protect and Restore Natural Areas

Council should use science and consistent policy to protect environmentally sensitive areas, watercourses, wildlife habitat and mature trees. Development should be directed toward appropriate locations and designed to avoid loss of greenspace, unnecessary tree removal and pressure on watersheds.

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Protection should be accompanied by restoration, invasive-species management and responsible stewardship of parks and natural assets. Residents, First Nations, community organizations and environmental groups should be meaningful partners with Saanich in this work.

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Make Practical Emissions Reductions

Saanich should continue reducing emissions from municipal buildings, vehicles and operations while supporting residents and local businesses in improving energy efficiency and adopting cleaner technologies.

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Land-use and transportation decisions should make it easier for people to use transit, walk, cycle and reach daily needs closer to home. Climate initiatives should be assessed for effectiveness, affordability and measurable emissions reductions, not adopted based soley on their ambitions.

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Prepare for a Changing Climate

The reality of our current climate crisis dictates that that mitigation and adaptation works must proceed together. Saanich must prepare for more frequent and more severe heat waves, drought, wildfires, flooding, severe storms and poor air quality that will accompany our changing climate.

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Climate risk should inform infrastructure, emergency planning and land-use decisions. Natural systems should be treated as valuable infrastructure and incorporated into stormwater and resilience planning.

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Measure Results

Council should establish clear environmental targets, publish progress and adjust programs when they are not delivering. Effective environmental leadership at a municipal level has the potential to protect what residents value today while leaving a healthier, safer and more resilient Saanich for future generations.

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