Nikki Csek

Council · Kelowna

28 yrs

About

Kelowna resident of 28 years, business owner and CEO of Csek Creative and KelownaNow. I've chaired boards, served on the Mayor's Task Force for the Performing Arts, and believe where you live you give. Solutions first, weighed on cost and results.

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. Neutral

✓ Incentivize electric heat pumps and air filtration systems. Supportive

✓ 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

× Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources. Opposed

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

✓ 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

✓ Prioritize native tree planting in all areas, especially those with low tree cover, higher population densities, and more vulnerable residents. Supportive

✓ Create connected urban greenways for people and wildlife. 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. 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. Neutral

✓ 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.

✓ Implement water conservation plans and educate the public to conserve drinking water. Supportive

✓ 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.

~ Implement zero waste bylaws to divert organic waste and recyclables from disposal. Neutral

✓ 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?

My biggest contribution has been at home. Jim and I installed solar panels on our roof, and we replaced all of our gas vehicles with electric ones. We made those choices because they made sense for our family and our budget over the long term. As a councillor, I would focus on practical, affordable options that let more residents make choices like these if they want to.

Questions for Kelowna

Would you accelerate Kelowna's adoption of the Zero Carbon Step Code, and what other measures would you support to improve building efficiency and resilience to extreme heat?

I would not accelerate it ahead of the provincial timeline. We are in an affordability crisis, and adding costs to new homes works against that. I support voluntary incentives, using the provincial and federal rebates for heat pumps, insulation and solar, and making city buildings more efficient to save taxpayers money. Jim and I put solar on our own roof, so I know the benefits and the costs.

What policies would you support to protect mature trees, expand Kelowna's tree canopy, and increase shade on both public and private land?

I support protecting mature trees on public land, planting native trees in parks and boulevards, especially in neighbourhoods with little shade, and working with developers and homeowners through incentives rather than new restrictions on private property. Every resident should have shade and green space within a short walk.

What would you fund or change over the next four years to improve public transit, walking and cycling, and reduce transportation emissions?

I would focus on reliable, frequent local transit and advocate for better regional connections. I would fund safe walking routes to schools and parks, expand EV charging, and review cycling investments so they deliver real value for the cost.

Would you support expediting composting programs and invest in the required facilities in Kelowna? If so, what would you do to make it happen sooner?

I support moving forward with organics diversion in a way that is cost-effective and works with our regional partners. Before investing in new facilities, I would review the options, costs and timelines so residents get the best value for their dollars.

What two climate actions would you champion during your term, and what measurable progress should Kelowna residents expect within four years?

First, water security, protecting our watersheds and completing a water security plan with clear targets. Second, city energy efficiency, upgrading city buildings and the fleet, measured by lower energy costs reported publicly each year.

Compiled & presented by

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

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