Gravenhurst — District Councillor

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

The ways I have contributed personally to a greener, sustainable climate are:

• Walk or ride my bicycle to work
• Avid composter making my weekly garbage pickup 1 bag every three weeks
• Changed all light bulbs in my home to LED
• Avid recyclers and 98% of the time do not buy or use single use plastics
• Shop local wherever possible which aids in limiting vehicles on roadways.

PROFESSIONALLY (IDA Pharmacy):

• Reduce amount of paper generated using improved software and paperless functions
• Encourage our free delivery service reducing cars/emissions on our roadways
• Recycle and Reuse wherever possible ie) returned vials are reused, stock bottles are recycled, paper and cardboard recycled
• Discussions have started to not use plastic vials any longer which we will completely support

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

Buildings: We could have incentive programs to encourage small steps in changing behaviours and knowledge. Encouraging builders/contractors to use more sustainable materials.

Housing: We need to be extremely cautious with our approvals of development. How many homes needs to be controlled and materials used to build these homes. We need to encourage development that includes green space/parks/trails to keep our natural beauty intact.

Transportation: I would love to see a bike exchange program in the warmer months to encourage our locals and visitors to go about their day on two wheels instead of four. I believe that we could investigate funding through federal and provincial avenues to help with such a project.

Other: In some of our apartment buildings in town the lights are turned off during the day in the common areas. As well, motion activated lights are used in common areas. These are easy ideas to manage and I would
encourage it in any new developments

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

100 year plan, first action.

I know for certain that the Town of Gravenhurst and the District of Muskoka have Climate Action Plans. Getting up to speed on where we are in the plan is top priority. Bylaws for incentive building is also on my
radar. We need to ensure that all funding opportunities for climate actions are being pursued. We need to be diligent in our encouragement of education and support, in ways that our population can do their part.

Expand and widen our education in the classrooms, getting families to participate in doing their part – no matter how great or small. Natural gas conversion should be more accessible and not so costly. My nephew has
spent the last 12 months in Whistler, BC and I have a family member that has just returned from 18 months in PEI – getting their input on what they have participated in and observed in those communities would
undoubtedly benefit us. One of our local initiatives was the Ash Muskoka project. It was a tremendously successfully program that benefited our lakes and engaged the public. We need to find similar ways to encourage that participation.

I believe that encouraging our immediate families is the place to start. I encourage my children who have chosen to build their lives in Muskoka to do their part – no matter how great or small. If we all believe in that and are given the tools to participate – we will all participate in the necessary action to save our climate.