Lake of Bays Township — Mayor

1.     What actions have you personally taken to support a greener, more sustainable climate?

My husband and I have had 107 acres under Managed Forest for over 25 years with a goal of protecting Forest Health, watershed and habitat. We have recently rebuilt a family home upgrading everything to high efficiency windows, insulated significantly over requirements.

2.     What opportunities for climate leadership at the municipal level (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs)) would you champion in one or more of these areas: Buildings | Housing | Land use (sprawl) | Transportation | Other

Planning is a key component in Land use and Transportation along with environmental protection. The Official Plan is due to be updated and will require leadership and significant public input in all areas.

3.     A long-term problem requires a long-term solution. What is your 100-year plan? If elected, what would be your first action?

The actions we take must be doable and sustainable. The Township must work in conjunction with the Districts Climate Strategy – A New Leaf as well as with government agencies and community partners. By first completing an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption we will better understand our current footprint and be able to identify gaps and measure progress. Action plans must be developed and integrated into budgets and asset management plans, including building maintenance and vehicle replacement. The Township should work with partners to have electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed to service residents and the travelling public. Education forums should be developed for staff and the public on topics such as understanding phantom power, how driving techniques can reduce fuel consumption, and retrofitting buildings. This would include providing resources to the public on how to access retrofit information and funding to reduce high monthly energy bills. These strategies don’t require us to reinvent the wheel – many resources already exist which we can build on. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is one such organization that provides resources and examples to assist with actionable plans. By utilizing partnerships, available resources, and the local economy we will be able to develop a made in Lake of Bays plan that we can incorporate into our daily business practices.