Tim Hausch

Council · Bowen Island

Neighbourhood:: Bowen Island
Years in the community:: 24

About

Bowen has been my home for 24 years. My background spans tourism, hospitality, IT, and wireline communications. I’m an avid traveler and motorcyclist who enjoys giving back through volunteer work and community involvement on Bowen Island.

Policy commitments

Buildings

We all want healthy, affordable, and comfortable homes. These policies will help to lower energy bills, cut pollution, and improve indoor air quality.

~ Incentivize electric heat pumps and air filtration systems. Neutral

✓ Incentivize renewable energy, battery storage, and smart-grid technologies in new and existing buildings to improve energy security. Supportive

✓ Scale up energy retrofits for existing homes, businesses, and public buildings. Supportive

~ Implement a 'right to cool' bylaw to protect tenants during extreme heat events. Neutral

Climate Justice

Our community is already experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution, and taxpayers are on the hook to upgrade and repair critical infrastructure.

~ Endorse the fossil fuel treaty and commit to phase out fossil fuels. Neutral

~ Pursue available legal options to recover a fair share of the climate costs facing our community from fossil fuel companies and other big polluters. Neutral

✓ Collaborate with Indigenous peoples as partners in the stewardship of the land, air, and water, and work towards reconciliation. Supportive

Ecosystems

The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat all rely on healthy ecosystems. Nature can also help protect our community from extreme weather by controlling floods, protecting shorelines, and cooling neighbourhoods. Access to nature improves the health and well-being of residents, and supports biodiversity.

✓ Protect and restore ecosystems, which are essential to human survival, health, and economic well-being. Supportive

Land Use

We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.

~ Build affordable homes near jobs, schools, shops, and transit. Neutral

~ Upgrade critical infrastructure for heat, fire, flood, and storm resilience. Neutral

✓ Increase food security by supporting local agriculture and community gardens. Supportive

Transport

Connecting neighbourhoods through public transit and active transportation networks will cut pollution, improve public health, and make our communities more affordable (and fun!).

✓ Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities. Supportive

~ Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone. Neutral

~ Expand EV charging infrastructure. Neutral

Watersheds

Climate change, increasing populations, and overconsumption threaten our water security. Healthy watersheds and forests are critical to support clean drinking water, stormwater management, climate resilience, and biodiversity for future generations.

✓ Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure. Supportive

✓ Develop and implement a water security plan. Supportive

Zero Waste

Zero waste policies reduce pollution, keep waste out of landfills, build resilient local economies, and safeguard public health by shifting society away from a disposable culture toward a sustainable circular economy.

✓ Support the development of a circular economy to eliminate waste and improve resilience. Supportive

~ Implement bylaws to eliminate waste from new buildings, renovation, and demolition projects and to use existing buildings as efficiently as possible. Neutral

✓ Supportive

~ Neutral

× Opposed

– No response

Climate action

How have you contributed to climate action in your community through advocacy, past work, advisory committees, volunteer work, and/or reducing your personal carbon footprint?

I would like to elaborate on some of the questions above and as I've spent more time volunteering in community services and less on climate issues, I will comment here:
Buildings-1: I would be reluctant to take on debt to incentives heat pumps on Bowen but would work with BC Hydro, Heat Pump manufactures and higher government to encourage the use of heat pumps.
Buildings-4: I will encourage landlords and tenants to work together. I’ve been in most homes on Bowen and believe a bylaw for right to cool should not be an initial step.
Climate-1: I would need to learn more about the fossil fuel treaty, but I do support the Paris Agreement.
Land use-1: Bowen is looking at different models for housing. Bowen is small enough that although having affordable homes only in the cove may seem appealing, I believe slightly higher density/affordable housing can be elsewhere as well.
Transport-2: Bowen has been working on a pathway and has run into significant challenges. Although a pathway would be great, I’d need to understand what challenges have slowed it down.
Transport-3: Hydro approached Bowen about increasing EV charging spots in the library parking area, which I would not currently support as the parking is very limited. However, given an area with more available parking for others, I would support it.
Zero Waste-1: I support and Bowen is currently working on this and I expect it will be in the final OCP.

Questions for Bowen Island

The ferry to Bowen Island is the largest source of climate pollution. What steps would you take to advocate with BC Ferries to invest in an electric ferry service?

I'd support the current discussions about an EV passanger ferry.

What actions will you take for the safety of Bowen Island residents if Woodfibre LNG doubles or triples in size, resulting in an LNG carrier passing through Howe Sound every day?

I do not favour the current development due to shipping traffic and unfortunately opposition was unsuccessful. Please note that although Minister Tim Hodgson said that the project holds ambition, no application exists. I'd start by contacting him and the District of Squamish as the development area falls under their jurisdiction.

How will you address the impacts of growing tourism on vulnerable ecosystems, transportation services, and waste management?

I believe working together with BC Ferry Services, Ferry Marsheling, Public Tranportation and Ride-Sharing on Bowen, and a Tourist Levy are all key starting points to protecting the local ecosystem as well as the community.

Bowen Island is vulnerable to many climate-related risks (e.g., intense storms, landslides, sea level rise, coastal erosion, wildfire, drought, and extreme heat events). How will you address these risks to increase our community’s resilience?

Maintaining good infrastructure, communications and roadways, alternate ways on and off the island and supporting our emergency services and NERP are all key ways to increase our communities resilience.

Compiled & presented by

Authorized by Citizens for My Sea to Sky, registered sponsor under LECFA, info@myseatosky.org

Vote4Tomorrow is an independent voter guide to evaluate where local candidates stand on climate and environmental policies that will affect our future.

Home About Why Contact Privacy Policy