Earth Care Society All Candidates questionnaire

The Earth Care Society sent out the following questionnaire to all the candidates. Here are my responses.

1. Do you support the ban on the use of cosmetic pesticides like Roundup, and 2-4,D in the city of Kelowna?
Yes

2. Numerous communities across the country have implemented bylaws that restrict or ban the use of cosmetic pesticides on public and private land. Would you support a bylaw like this in the City of Kelowna?
Yes. More than 60 communities across Canada have implemented by-laws banning the use of cosmetic pesticides, and the Supreme Court has upheld the ability of municipalities to enact such by-laws. To be successful, the City would also need to undertake an education program about alternatives to chemical pesticides, perhaps in partnership with the the local Health Authority.

3. Do you support manual methods of controlling weeds on sidewalks and roadsides instead of using pesticides?
Yes

4. The Province of B.C has broken its promise to implement the agreed on Okanagan Shuswap land Resource Management Plan. Many of the parks created in the plan have not been moved to class A status and remain Protected Areas. Will you lobby the provincial government to implement the plan and move our parks to class A?
Yes. Part of city council's role is to lobby on behalf of its citizens in front of other levels of government. I will begin by contacting the LRMP Implementation Committee to determine the status of the Ok Shuswap LRMP (it seems no official update has been given since 2001) and then bring the matter before my council colleagues and ask them to send an official request to the appropriate provincial minister.

5. Do you agree with the establishment of a National Park in the South Okanagan that includes Okanagan Mountain Park as part of the National Park?
I am totally in favour of a National Park for the South Okanagan and at the very least would want it to abut the boundaries of the Okanagan Mountain Park, which is currently a provincial park, in order to protect our shared watershed and wildlife corridors. Furthermore, if the boundaries could be extended to include Okanagan Mountain Park (not currently in the plan, but something we could ask for) this would have a tremendous impact on eco-tourism for the Kelowna area.

6. How would you as a councilor work to increase the amount of Parks in the city of Kelowna?
Parks and green space protection are a priority for me. A first step is the completion of the 20 year Parks and Recreation Master Plan which will set direction for parks and green space acquisition.

7. Do you support the Lawson landing project on the foreshore of Kelowna's downtown area?
No. We must preserve public access to this area for future generations. I do support the redevelopment and densification of the downtown core, in a stepped back manner from the waterfront.

8. What would you do to improve water quality in Kelowna?
At the local level, we need to complete key infrastructure projects related to water quality such as the North Rutland Sewer and UV Water Protection, as well as develop an Environmental Management System for our works and utilities department. I am interested in amalgamating the 5 water authorities within the municipal boundaries in order to develop cooperative water management strategies and to promote efficient water use. Regionally I support a watershed-wide coalition to ensure the long-term health of our water supply.

9. What would you do to improve air quality in the valley?
Coordinated effort from all stakeholders is the key to improving air quality in the valley. Built environment planning (land use and transportation) must integrate air quality goals. I support the initiatives of the Central Okanagan Regional Air Quality Program.

10. What type of growth do you feel is appropriate, and how is it sustainable?
Sustainable development is development that will maintain both human and natural systems well into the future. Decisions regarding appropriate development for Kelowna should be made in consideration of environmental, social health, and economic factors, as well as the ability of existing infrastructure to handle the growth.