Tara Todesco
Council · Esquimalt
Township of Esquimalt 9 yrs
About
I have 20+ years of experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, leading projects in climate action, community development, and grants and financial management. I've served four years on the Township's Design Review Committee, currently as Chair.
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
✓
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?
An example of my climate work is initiating and vice-chairing the Climate Solutions Navigator, a two-year cross-campus initiative to accelerate climate action at the University of Victoria and serving as an early project team member for UVic's Climate and Sustainability Action Plan to 2030.
My community development work includes co-leading a United Way initiative that seed-funded climate readiness and food security projects across three Greater Victoria neighbourhoods, and administering large scale volunteer programs at The Land Conservancy of BC and Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, including in restoration of natural systems.
My community development work includes co-leading a United Way initiative that seed-funded climate readiness and food security projects across three Greater Victoria neighbourhoods, and administering large scale volunteer programs at The Land Conservancy of BC and Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, including in restoration of natural systems.
Questions for Esquimalt
Esquimalt is rapidly losing its affordable housing with rising renovictions and demolitions. What strategies would you promote to ensure affordable housing is built and protected?
We are seeing housing development accelerate in Esquimalt, but much of what is being built remains unaffordable. Non-market housing developed through non-profits, co-ops, and community land trusts is built to stay affordable over the long term. If elected, I would support policy direction and work in partnership with these groups: streamlining approval processes and collaborating with federal and provincial funders to help bring non-market projects forward.
Zoning and bylaw tools also give municipalities real influence over what gets built and for whom. BC's missing middle legislation now permits greater density in areas previously zoned for single-family homes, and we do need more housing. But what we're seeing in Esquimalt tends toward large, expensive units. Working with builders and the community, local bylaws can require a mix of unit sizes, making new housing more accessible to a range of buyers: seniors downsizing, young families, and people living alone.
Protecting existing rental housing matters just as much. Esquimalt's Tenant Assistance Policy is a good foundation, but it doesn't apply when tenants are displaced by renovations. I would look into external grants and funding, working with non-profit partners to access sources like BC's Rental Protection Fund to purchase older rental buildings, so long-time residents can stay in the community they call home.
Zoning and bylaw tools also give municipalities real influence over what gets built and for whom. BC's missing middle legislation now permits greater density in areas previously zoned for single-family homes, and we do need more housing. But what we're seeing in Esquimalt tends toward large, expensive units. Working with builders and the community, local bylaws can require a mix of unit sizes, making new housing more accessible to a range of buyers: seniors downsizing, young families, and people living alone.
Protecting existing rental housing matters just as much. Esquimalt's Tenant Assistance Policy is a good foundation, but it doesn't apply when tenants are displaced by renovations. I would look into external grants and funding, working with non-profit partners to access sources like BC's Rental Protection Fund to purchase older rental buildings, so long-time residents can stay in the community they call home.
Natural Asset Management (NAM) puts a monetary value on living assets. It is key to Tree Protection. Public engagement for Small Scale Multi Unit Housing (SSMUH) identified tree protection as the number one concern.
Yes, I would support Natural Asset Management in Esquimalt.
Our trees and green spaces are part of our community's infrastructure. They cool our streets, soak up stormwater, and support wildlife. Without them, we would pay for much of that work through pipes and other built systems. Natural Asset Management counts that value, so trees and green spaces are tracked, planned for, and cared for alongside roads and pipes, not treated as extras.
The timing is important. When the Township asked residents about Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, tree protection was the top concern. As we build the housing we need, NAM helps council see clearly what we lose when trees come down. It also gives us a stronger case for asking new developments to keep and plant trees and make room for green space.
With my background in grants management, I would look for outside funding and work with partners, including other local governments, to map Esquimalt's natural assets and build them into our long-term budget planning.
Protecting and growing our urban trees is essential to building a community that is healthy, livable, and ready for a changing climate.
Our trees and green spaces are part of our community's infrastructure. They cool our streets, soak up stormwater, and support wildlife. Without them, we would pay for much of that work through pipes and other built systems. Natural Asset Management counts that value, so trees and green spaces are tracked, planned for, and cared for alongside roads and pipes, not treated as extras.
The timing is important. When the Township asked residents about Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, tree protection was the top concern. As we build the housing we need, NAM helps council see clearly what we lose when trees come down. It also gives us a stronger case for asking new developments to keep and plant trees and make room for green space.
With my background in grants management, I would look for outside funding and work with partners, including other local governments, to map Esquimalt's natural assets and build them into our long-term budget planning.
Protecting and growing our urban trees is essential to building a community that is healthy, livable, and ready for a changing climate.
With Department of National Defence and SeaSpan expansion, what are your solutions to deal with its impact on the existing challenging rush hour traffic?
As CFB Esquimalt and Seaspan grow, more people will be travelling to and from this location at the same time each day.
Growing our multi-modal options is key. That means safe, well designed, connected bike and roll lanes, better transit options, and working with BC Transit and neighbouring municipalities so routes line up across the region.
I support the Island Rail Corridor as a long-term piece of the solution. Passenger rail between the West Shore and Victoria West could take real pressure off our roads. Planning is moving forward with the Kosapsum (Esquimalt Nation) and Songhees Nation, and with new federal and regional funding for a feasibility study. I support Esquimalt being an active partner in that work.
Housing matters too. Supporting more homes near the base and shipyard means more workers and their families can live close enough to walk, bike, or take a short bus ride.
Growing our multi-modal options is key. That means safe, well designed, connected bike and roll lanes, better transit options, and working with BC Transit and neighbouring municipalities so routes line up across the region.
I support the Island Rail Corridor as a long-term piece of the solution. Passenger rail between the West Shore and Victoria West could take real pressure off our roads. Planning is moving forward with the Kosapsum (Esquimalt Nation) and Songhees Nation, and with new federal and regional funding for a feasibility study. I support Esquimalt being an active partner in that work.
Housing matters too. Supporting more homes near the base and shipyard means more workers and their families can live close enough to walk, bike, or take a short bus ride.
A temporary permit has been issued for a private, for profit, sauna business to run in Esquimalt Gorge Park. What are your thoughts on private business in public parks?
I support local business growth and more options in Esquimalt, but I would approach private, for-profit businesses in public parks with real caution.
Our parks are limited, shared green spaces, with social and ecological value. As Esquimalt grows and more people live in denser housing, parks like Gorge Park become even more important as places everyone can enjoy. When a business sets up significant infrastructure in a park, it changes how that space is used and experienced.
Before permits like this become more common, I would want to make sure Esquimalt has clear direction on what commercial uses belong in our parks. That direction should be shaped by public input, as well as by the Kosapsum (Esquimalt Nation) and Songhees Nation, whose territories include the Gorge Waterway. The Gorge is a very important cultural place for these Nations.
Our parks are limited, shared green spaces, with social and ecological value. As Esquimalt grows and more people live in denser housing, parks like Gorge Park become even more important as places everyone can enjoy. When a business sets up significant infrastructure in a park, it changes how that space is used and experienced.
Before permits like this become more common, I would want to make sure Esquimalt has clear direction on what commercial uses belong in our parks. That direction should be shaped by public input, as well as by the Kosapsum (Esquimalt Nation) and Songhees Nation, whose territories include the Gorge Waterway. The Gorge is a very important cultural place for these Nations.
What is your position on whether Esquimalt should join an initiative to have local governments recover a fair share of climate costs from fossil fuel companies, eg: Sue Big Oil?
I support community action on climate at all levels, and I believe the fossil fuel industry bears real responsibility for the climate impacts we are already living with. Heat waves, wildfire smoke, and extreme storms are not future risks. They are here now, and local governments are paying for them through damaged infrastructure, emergency response, and adaptation work.
Personally, I am very open to efforts like this. It's reasonable to ask whether the full cost of climate impacts should fall on local taxpayers.
As a councillor, though, I would be hesitant to commit the Township to a legal effort without real community consultation first. Esquimalt is a small community with a limited budget, and an initiative like this could take significant staff time and resources. Residents deserve to understand what's involved and to have a say before council moves forward.
Personally, I am very open to efforts like this. It's reasonable to ask whether the full cost of climate impacts should fall on local taxpayers.
As a councillor, though, I would be hesitant to commit the Township to a legal effort without real community consultation first. Esquimalt is a small community with a limited budget, and an initiative like this could take significant staff time and resources. Residents deserve to understand what's involved and to have a say before council moves forward.
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