Chance Boruck
Council · Castlegar
Castlegar 6 yrs
About
Born and raised in the Kootenays, I now work in the non-profit sector supporting families in our community. I’m running for Council to help build a more affordable, connected and resilient Castlegar where residents and businesses can thrive.
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.
✓
Support electrification of new buildings.
Supportive
✓
Incentivize electric heat pumps and air filtration systems.
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.
✓
Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources.
Supportive
✓
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
✓
Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater.
Supportive
✓
Create connected urban greenways for people and wildlife.
Supportive
Land Use
We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.
✓
Upgrade critical infrastructure for heat, fire, flood, and storm resilience.
Supportive
✓
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!).
✓
Deliver reliable, frequent, affordable local transit.
Supportive
✓
Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities.
Supportive
✓
Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone.
Supportive
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.
✓
Implement water conservation plans and educate the public to conserve drinking water.
Supportive
✓
Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure.
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
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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?
Climate action advocacy is an important part of my work with Castlegar’s youth. Through education and empowerment, I work to help young people understand the challenges our community faces and give them opportunities to participate in creating a better future.
I also try to make environmentally responsible choices in my own life. I work close to where I live, which allows me to reduce the amount I rely on a personal vehicle for my daily commute. I also garden every season, growing some of my own food to develop a better understanding of my environment and local food system.
I believe climate action is most effective when it is something people can participate in at both the community and individual level. My work with youth has shown me the importance of giving people the knowledge and opportunity to be part of that change.
I also try to make environmentally responsible choices in my own life. I work close to where I live, which allows me to reduce the amount I rely on a personal vehicle for my daily commute. I also garden every season, growing some of my own food to develop a better understanding of my environment and local food system.
I believe climate action is most effective when it is something people can participate in at both the community and individual level. My work with youth has shown me the importance of giving people the knowledge and opportunity to be part of that change.
Questions for Castlegar
In January 2021, Castlegar adopted the West Kootenay 100% Renewable Energy Plan. How will you prioritize actions, including timelines, to implement the plan and ensure that they move forward this term?
I believe the most important step is turning the 100% Renewable Energy Plan from a guiding document into a clear, achievable work plan. Council should identify the actions that can have the greatest impact and deliver on those priorites.
We should look at providing incentives to help renovate some of our existing spaces to improve their energy efficiency. A long-term plan only succeeds when there is accountability for moving it forward and I would work to ensure that progress towards the plan is regularly brought back to Council and the public.
We should look at providing incentives to help renovate some of our existing spaces to improve their energy efficiency. A long-term plan only succeeds when there is accountability for moving it forward and I would work to ensure that progress towards the plan is regularly brought back to Council and the public.
The Castlegar area is vulnerable to many climate-related risks (e.g., wildfire, drought, smoke, flooding, heat, local supply chains). How will you address these risks to increase our community’s resilience?
Emergency preparedness is one of the most important responsibilities of City Council. We need to stay ahead of natural disasters by getting ahead of vulnerabilities and continually improving our preparation and response plans.
Castlegar can reduce the impacts of climate-related risks by taking practical steps before emergencies occur. This includes addressing hazardous fuel buildup where appropriate, and providing residents with accessible education about emergency planning.
Better infrastructure is also essential to resilience. I would support improving our asset management and long-term infrastructure planning so that our utilities and other assets are maintained and prepared to withstand changing conditions.
Resilience also includes strengthening our local capacity to provide essential goods and services. The City can support local producers and explore incentives that encourage residents to grow more food at home to reduce our dependence on vulnerable global supply chains.
Castlegar can reduce the impacts of climate-related risks by taking practical steps before emergencies occur. This includes addressing hazardous fuel buildup where appropriate, and providing residents with accessible education about emergency planning.
Better infrastructure is also essential to resilience. I would support improving our asset management and long-term infrastructure planning so that our utilities and other assets are maintained and prepared to withstand changing conditions.
Resilience also includes strengthening our local capacity to provide essential goods and services. The City can support local producers and explore incentives that encourage residents to grow more food at home to reduce our dependence on vulnerable global supply chains.
What ideas do you have to decrease reliance on personal gas vehicles and improve how people get around the city using low emission transportation methods (e.g., walking, biking, carpooling, bus/transit, EV)?
Building a more connected city is one of the central pillars of my campaign. I believe Castlegar should make it easier for residents to choose alternatives to personal vehicles while recognizing that many people will continue to rely on cars, particularly in a community that is spread out like ours.
One project I would like the City to explore is a pedestrian and cycling bridge connecting Selkirk College with downtown. This could give students, residents, and college employees a safer and more convenient alternative to driving while also encouraging more foot traffic for downtown businesses.
The City can also work with community partners to expand transportation options for people who have limited access to a vehicle. Supporting non-profits and volunteer programs that provide rides to essential appointments, can help reduce our dependence on personal vehicles.
One project I would like the City to explore is a pedestrian and cycling bridge connecting Selkirk College with downtown. This could give students, residents, and college employees a safer and more convenient alternative to driving while also encouraging more foot traffic for downtown businesses.
The City can also work with community partners to expand transportation options for people who have limited access to a vehicle. Supporting non-profits and volunteer programs that provide rides to essential appointments, can help reduce our dependence on personal vehicles.
How would you approach land use and housing policies to ensure that people of all income levels—including low-income residents—have access to safe, affordable homes that are also resilient to a changing climate?
I believe the City should take a housing-first approach to addressing Castlegar’s housing needs. Everyone deserves access to a safe and affordable home, and local government can help make that possible for people at all income levels.
I would work to create stronger incentives for non-market housing providers to deliver projects that address gaps in our housing supply, especially for low-income housing. This could include further reducing development fees or approval timelines and working with our community partners.
I also believe increasing the overall supply and diversity of housing is important. Supporting secondary suites and appropriate forms of gentle density can give residents more options.
I would work to create stronger incentives for non-market housing providers to deliver projects that address gaps in our housing supply, especially for low-income housing. This could include further reducing development fees or approval timelines and working with our community partners.
I also believe increasing the overall supply and diversity of housing is important. Supporting secondary suites and appropriate forms of gentle density can give residents more options.
The Our Way to 2033 Community Plan includes many goals for enhancing and protecting Castlegar’s natural environment. How will you help advance those, including community partnerships, to help protect and restore our parks and natural areas?
Protecting Castlegar’s natural environment should be a shared responsibility between the City, residents, and community organizations.
I would support continued investment in our parks while aiming to ensure new developments protect our important ecological areas.
The City can not accomplish this alone. I would encourage the City to work with local environmental organizations on initiatives that support invasive species removal, habitat restoration and environmental education.
I also believe we should for residents to become stewards of their own environment. Community clean-up and restoration programs could give people meaningful opportunities to care for the places they enjoy and take ownership of those spaces.
By combining responsible planning with community stewardship and strategic partnerships, we can protect our parks and natural areas while ensuring they remain accessible and enjoyable for future generations.
I would support continued investment in our parks while aiming to ensure new developments protect our important ecological areas.
The City can not accomplish this alone. I would encourage the City to work with local environmental organizations on initiatives that support invasive species removal, habitat restoration and environmental education.
I also believe we should for residents to become stewards of their own environment. Community clean-up and restoration programs could give people meaningful opportunities to care for the places they enjoy and take ownership of those spaces.
By combining responsible planning with community stewardship and strategic partnerships, we can protect our parks and natural areas while ensuring they remain accessible and enjoyable for future generations.
How will you foster collaboration and open dialogue with your fellow councillors and the community to make sure you are forming policy that best represents the full community’s needs, including seniors, newcomers, youth, renters, low income residents?
With the world seeing an increase in uncertainty and growing political division, it is more important than ever for local leaders to show a willingness to collaborate and cooperate. I believe the best decisions are made when those responsible are willing to consider multiple perspectives and listen closely when someone disagrees with them.
As a councillor, I would make myself accessible to residents through open office hours. Within Council, I would approach disagreements respectfully and focus on finding common ground rather than treating differences of opinion as a personal attack. I believe councillors have a responsibility to ask difficult questions and be willing to change their minds when a better idea is presented.
My goal would be to help create a culture where residents feel heard and councillors can disagree constructively, while working together toward policies that serve the entire community.
As a councillor, I would make myself accessible to residents through open office hours. Within Council, I would approach disagreements respectfully and focus on finding common ground rather than treating differences of opinion as a personal attack. I believe councillors have a responsibility to ask difficult questions and be willing to change their minds when a better idea is presented.
My goal would be to help create a culture where residents feel heard and councillors can disagree constructively, while working together toward policies that serve the entire community.
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