Hilary Abbott
Director · Area D · Cowichan Valley Regional District
- Neighbourhood:
- Cowichan Bay
- Years in the community:
- 34
About
I have a strong connection to the community through business, volunteer service and local government. 20 years experience working in the not-for-profit sector & 15 years operating a cheese business. I offer practical community-focused pragmatism.
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.
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Support electrification of new buildings.
Supportive
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Incentivize electric heat pumps and air filtration systems.
Supportive
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Incentivize renewable energy, battery storage, and smart-grid technologies in new and existing buildings to improve energy security.
Supportive
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Scale up energy retrofits for existing homes, businesses, and public buildings.
Supportive
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Implement a 'right to cool' bylaw to protect tenants during extreme heat events.
Supportive
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.
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Endorse the fossil fuel treaty and commit to phase out fossil fuels.
Supportive
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Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources.
Supportive
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Pursue available legal options to recover a fair share of the climate costs facing our community from fossil fuel companies and other big polluters.
Supportive
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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.
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Protect and restore ecosystems, which are essential to human survival, health, and economic well-being.
Supportive
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Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater.
Supportive
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Prioritize native tree planting in all areas, especially those with low tree cover, higher population densities, and more vulnerable residents.
Supportive
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Create connected urban greenways for people and wildlife.
Supportive
Land Use
We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.
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Build affordable homes near jobs, schools, shops, and transit.
Supportive
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Upgrade critical infrastructure for heat, fire, flood, and storm resilience.
Supportive
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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!).
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Deliver reliable, frequent, affordable local transit.
Supportive
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Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities.
Supportive
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Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone.
Supportive
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Expand EV charging infrastructure.
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.
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Implement water conservation plans and educate the public to conserve drinking water.
Supportive
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Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure.
Supportive
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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.
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Implement zero waste bylaws to divert organic waste and recyclables from disposal.
Supportive
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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.
Supportive
✓ 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 am a regular cyclist commuter - using my bicycle all four seasons - and picking up garbage as I navigate from Cowichan Bay to Duncan.
I persevered for the installation of the Wessex Ravine staircase - when faced with possible cancellation due to conflict with the heron rookery. Through proper park management and seasonal closure during the sensitive nesting season - saw the completion of a very well used walkable connection for upper Cowichan Bay residents down to the lower Village.
I am supportive of restoration efforts of the Cowichan Estuary back to its pre-contact status - thereby permitting natural salt water intrusion onto former indigenous agricultural lands - originally known as "Cowichan Gardens". This work is being undertaken by the owners of the lands - Nature Trust BC, who are working in collaboration with Cowichan Tribes to reestablish traditional agricultural species grown by the Cowichan People for millennia.
This work will also remove the destructive wave action that harms the eel grass beds that salmon fry live in for up to a year as they acclimatize to salt water before their migration into the open ocean.
I persevered for the installation of the Wessex Ravine staircase - when faced with possible cancellation due to conflict with the heron rookery. Through proper park management and seasonal closure during the sensitive nesting season - saw the completion of a very well used walkable connection for upper Cowichan Bay residents down to the lower Village.
I am supportive of restoration efforts of the Cowichan Estuary back to its pre-contact status - thereby permitting natural salt water intrusion onto former indigenous agricultural lands - originally known as "Cowichan Gardens". This work is being undertaken by the owners of the lands - Nature Trust BC, who are working in collaboration with Cowichan Tribes to reestablish traditional agricultural species grown by the Cowichan People for millennia.
This work will also remove the destructive wave action that harms the eel grass beds that salmon fry live in for up to a year as they acclimatize to salt water before their migration into the open ocean.
Questions for Cowichan Valley Regional District
The Cowichan Valley is vulnerable to many climate-related risks (e.g. wildfire, drought, smoke, flooding, heat, local supply chains). How will you address these risks to support our community’s resilience?
I ask with trepidation - how much longer can we support the continued forestry practices we have followed for over a hundred years? I understand, jobs, livelihoods and pensions depend upon the current system. However, there needs to be a serious dialogue as to how much longer we continue to clear cut the upper watersheds to generate smaller and smaller logs that have no where in our communities to process into finished products.
These forests should be allowed to continue to stand, to protect our watersheds - be allowed to grow large - can be harvested at some point in the future when processing returns to our Island communities - but until then we need to take action to protect our new and old growth forest canopy. Concurrently - we need to attract new industry to set up on the Island - to grow and process more of the goods and services we have become accustomed to ordering and receiving from off the Island - as we satiate our desire for "Instant Gratification".
I would advocate for this conversation to begin - between all levels of government and our neighbouring indigenous communities.
These forests should be allowed to continue to stand, to protect our watersheds - be allowed to grow large - can be harvested at some point in the future when processing returns to our Island communities - but until then we need to take action to protect our new and old growth forest canopy. Concurrently - we need to attract new industry to set up on the Island - to grow and process more of the goods and services we have become accustomed to ordering and receiving from off the Island - as we satiate our desire for "Instant Gratification".
I would advocate for this conversation to begin - between all levels of government and our neighbouring indigenous communities.
With the lack of snow pack, low river flows & drought here in the Cowichan Valley, will you support a ban on AI data centres with their high water & energy use, plus the broader concerns about AI use?
Absolutely - in a nanosecond.
Fire risk is high throughout BC, including here in the Cowichan Valley. If elected will you advocate for a higher budget and profile for the CVRD's valuable Fire Smart Program for CVRD residents?
Yes - we must deal with our current housing stock that is too close to the forest interface. There is considerable fuel loading in close proximity to residential neighbourhoods. Homeowners need assistance mitigating these challenges. Fire prevention is far less costly than the costly impacts of imminent forest fire events.
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)?
More well connected bike lanes - or dedicated space on paved roads for bicycles - that actually allow working commuters to easily navigate within our region. We have many trails - but often the trails are geared towards recreational use. We need to be able to easily and consistently connect though all of our areas to the built up communities that offer services and employment.
More safe and secure bike storage must complement the active transportation initiative. People are not going to use alternative transportation if they cannot count upon safe, well lit, secure and affordable storage.
We need to work with BC Transit to look for better solutions to move bikes on buses - akin to in the Netherlands where rail carriages and ferries are geared up to transport a large quantity of bikes. At present - BC Transit typically offers 2 spaces for bikes - that are conventional in size. The notion of using BC Transit is to allow commuters to get from one node to another node - then switching to their non-gas consuming form of transportation. A BC Transit solution also helps to provide a partial solution (ie. one way public transit) during shorter days in the winter and during weather events.
More safe and secure bike storage must complement the active transportation initiative. People are not going to use alternative transportation if they cannot count upon safe, well lit, secure and affordable storage.
We need to work with BC Transit to look for better solutions to move bikes on buses - akin to in the Netherlands where rail carriages and ferries are geared up to transport a large quantity of bikes. At present - BC Transit typically offers 2 spaces for bikes - that are conventional in size. The notion of using BC Transit is to allow commuters to get from one node to another node - then switching to their non-gas consuming form of transportation. A BC Transit solution also helps to provide a partial solution (ie. one way public transit) during shorter days in the winter and during weather events.
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?
We need to address outdated zoning bylaws that do not allow for alternative types of living. Modular units - prefabricated and located close to services - that can be set up quickly and retired should demand wain - hopefully on publicly available and serviced lands.
For current housing stock - consider the challenge of plumbing fixture units - instead of focusing upon the number of homes and detached or attached suites that a parcel can support - focus on how many water consuming and discharging fixtures are being used. Many of our homes were built decades ago designed to house a typical family - perhaps a couple with 2 or 3 children. With changing demographics - increasingly we see the same household footprint with one or two people living in the residence. Adding additional suites to the property may not put increased demands on water and sewer infrastructure. Count the number of washrooms, showers, bathtubs, laundry systems (ie. fixture units) - and the number of residents living on a parcel when considering densification and/or infill. I believe we could have more unique and alternative housing solutions to address the current shortage of residence space - and not put greater demands on the finite water and sewage connections. AND - when the baby boom is finally behind us - the parcel may or may not return to it's original built-up footprint.
For current housing stock - consider the challenge of plumbing fixture units - instead of focusing upon the number of homes and detached or attached suites that a parcel can support - focus on how many water consuming and discharging fixtures are being used. Many of our homes were built decades ago designed to house a typical family - perhaps a couple with 2 or 3 children. With changing demographics - increasingly we see the same household footprint with one or two people living in the residence. Adding additional suites to the property may not put increased demands on water and sewer infrastructure. Count the number of washrooms, showers, bathtubs, laundry systems (ie. fixture units) - and the number of residents living on a parcel when considering densification and/or infill. I believe we could have more unique and alternative housing solutions to address the current shortage of residence space - and not put greater demands on the finite water and sewage connections. AND - when the baby boom is finally behind us - the parcel may or may not return to it's original built-up footprint.
Campaign contributions
Public records from Elections BC — 17 contributions totalling $4,275.00.
2022 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS
17 contributions · $4,275.00
| Contributor | Date | Amount | Office | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HILARY S ABBOTT | Sep 4, 2022 | $250.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| DOUGLAS C ABBOTT | Sep 11, 2022 | $200.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| PATTY ABBOTT | Oct 15, 2022 | $200.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| JERRY ANDERSON | Oct 7, 2022 | $1,000.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| TOM DEVEREAUX | Aug 24, 2022 | $100.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| ALLISON HAGEN | Sep 22, 2022 | $100.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| STEVE HOUSSER | Sep 13, 2022 | $125.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| LORI IANNIDINARDO | Sep 28, 2022 | $100.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| LARRY LENSKE | Oct 4, 2022 | $100.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| BRUCE MUIR | Oct 11, 2022 | $250.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| KEN OLIVE | Sep 28, 2022 | $250.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| ROBERT SHARMAN | Sep 17, 2022 | $100.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| DAVID SLANG | Nov 4, 2022 | $150.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| ROSS SMITH | Sep 14, 2022 | $500.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| KARLA SWAN | Oct 7, 2022 | $500.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| MARJA TENCATE | Sep 22, 2022 | $100.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
| GAY WISE | Sep 26, 2022 | $250.00 | ELECTORAL AREA DIRECTOR | COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT |
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