Ecology & Resilience
GoalReduce our contribution to climate change, protect biodiversity and help our neighbourhoods adapt.
How I see environmental work
Climate change and biodiversity matter here
I care about climate change and the loss of biodiversity. I want Ottawa to reduce its emissions, prepare for a changing climate and protect the variety of life around us.
From commitments to delivery
Follow through on the commitments we have
I would start with Ottawa’s existing plans, mandates and reporting, including the Climate Change Master Plan and Energy Evolution. What progress have we made? Can the work we have funded meet our commitments? If not, I would ask each institution responsible to explain what is stopping it, what could change, what that would cost and how long it would take.
Does Council need to change the plan, fund different priorities or clarify who does what? Are institutions working together? I would question the options, build support and vote through Council’s planning and budget processes. Through Council’s oversight, I would publicly ask whether the agreed work was done and what it achieved.
Council can be the problem too. We may have provided too little funding, an unclear mandate or conflicting directions. I would answer for my decisions and leave technical work to qualified staff. Missing a target does not justify quietly lowering it. Any change to the commitment itself needs an explanation.
From a commitment to a decision
- Commitment
What did we agree to achieve, and by when?
- Delivery
Who is doing the work, with what funding and schedule?
- Results
Is it achieving what we intended?
- What needs to change
Explain the shortfall and decide what to do about it.
If the work is falling short, decide what needs to change to meet the commitment.
More than tree cover
Protect biodiversity and habitat
Ottawa is home to people, plants and wildlife. Protecting biodiversity means making room for native plants and wild pollinators, and managing invasive species. I would ask the institutions responsible what the ecological evidence tells us about existing protections. Where they are failing, I would press for changes to how we plan and manage land.
Our city is home to more than just us
Native plants, wild pollinators and birds belong here.
- Native plants
- Food and shelter for the life around us.
- Wild pollinators
- Native bees, butterflies and other insects help plants reproduce.
- Room for wildlife
- Trees, gardens and green spaces are homes for other species too.
Caring for our city means caring for the life we share it with.
Preparing for changing conditions
Reduce climate risks to people and essential services
Heat, heavy rain and extreme weather put people, infrastructure and services at risk. I support work through Climate Ready Ottawa with its costs set out. If the plan leaves a significant risk unaddressed, I would support additional funding where the proposed work is expected to reduce it.
I would pursue those changes through existing budgets. We need to know who will do the work and maintain it.
Street trees, for example
Mature canopy, not repeated replanting
I want more mature canopy in Somerset Ward. Replacing a dead tree with a sapling does not replace the shade we lost.
Keep existing canopy
Protect mature trees
Established trees matter when we make decisions about streets and development, not just the number of replacements.
Help new trees reach maturity
Give trees room to grow
I want new trees to reach maturity. I would ask forestry and road infrastructure staff what existing plans and records tell us about losses, and the cost of improving planting conditions and winter care. We should not assume every tree dies for the same reason.
Follow through
Are we gaining canopy?
I would pursue the needed plan and budget changes. Residents should be able to see whether trees are surviving and growing, not just how many we planted.
Ottawa already uses soil cells in road reconstruction to give roots space beneath pavement. I want us to learn from that work.
Tree equity means starting where people lack shade. Species, planting methods and ongoing care need to fit the street, rather than committing to one planting technology everywhere.