Ian Parfitt

My professional journey in Nelson began at the Columbia Basin Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program from 1996-2003. Computer mapping, or geographic information systems (GIS), is the technology that has replaced paper maps, such as city plans, property parcels, and roads, with digital maps. I coordinated FWCP’s GIS and worked on projects including ecosystem mapping, habitat suitability for wolverines, monitoring of endangered species, and an online biodiversity atlas.

When Selkirk College received funding to launch a GIS centre for innovation in 2002, I joined the team as an instructor in the School of Environment and Geomatics and researcher in the Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre. We partnered with local communities, organizations and businesses on many climate and biodiversity projects. Our graduates are now staff in local governments throughout the Kootenays and beyond.

I have been active on urban forestry issues in Nelson. I served on the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology board. I hike, kayak, back-country ski and ride my bikes.

I own an EV and benefited from Nelson's e-bike purchase program and Pre-treated Organics / FoodCycler program.

Nelson's existing Climate Action Plan has many goals for 2030, at the end of this term, including net zero for City operations and 75% reduction of community emissions. Over the next four years I will ensure that the annual reports provide more clear and detailed accounting of progress towards these goals, with separate reporting for transportation, housing, public buildings, other commercial buildings, waste, and our urban forest.

We also need to do more work to ensure that we are ready for a changing climate. The City has taken steps to improve resilience to water shortages such as adding Selous Creek as a water source, and to update and enlarge storm-water systems. Increasing tree canopy is a natural solution that reduces flash flooding from storms as well as storing carbon; I support tree retention and planting under an Urban Forest Plan.

Our wildfire resilience has increased due to fuel reduction treatments on the slopes south of town and Fire Smart action in the City. I support both these actions.

I support and use public transit. I was an early adopter of the Nelson-Castegar "99 Kootenay Connector" bus and its great to see that there are now 8 trips a day on weekdays. There are still only 3 on Saturdays and 0 on Sundays however.

Nelson routes are also run at least hourly on weekdays. I would like to see that increase to every 30 minutes weekdays and Saturdays, and hourly on Sundays.

Transportation is a partnership between Nelson, the RDCK and the province through BC Transit. Nelson helped to build the new $2.4m Transit Exchange on Victoria street. 40% of the funding came from the federal government, 40% from the province, and 10% each from Nelson and the RDCK to be paid over the next 15 years. I support continued multi-agency cooperation to manage and improve transit.

Improvements to Nelson bus stops are needed in some areas. For instance, at some stops there is no sidewalk so bus passengers have to wait on the road with no shelter.

First of all, I support the retention of large, healthy, mature trees in Nelson. Shade helps a lot. Nelson Hydro removed unsuitable large conifer trees along Josephine street in front of Trafalgar school in the summer of 2025. It is important that those trees be replaced this fall, as the shade they provided was well-used by students. In cases like this, I advocate for planting replacement trees first where possible so they have time to grow to a decent size before existing trees are removed.

Today's construction bylaws address climate risk through the BC Energy Step Code that requires airtight, well-insulated building envelopes, reducing emissions and the cost of heating and cooling. Reducing dangerous indoor heat is challenging in the older buildings that provide much of Nelson's housing stock, however. Provincial and federal funding is needed to help homeowners insulate their homes, upgrade their electrical services, and install heat pump heating and cooling systems.

A major benefit of EVs is they don't pump out exhaust. Moving away from gas heating also improves the overall air quality.

Nelson Hydro built Canada's first Community Solar Garden in 2017, becoming a national leader. Since that time solar become cheaper and cheaper to adopt. I would like to see solar on all City buildings. How about a solar-powered marquee on the renewed Civic Theatre? There may be opportunities to explore micro-hydro on the streams and creeks that supply water to the City or pass through the city, as long as the aquatic habitat and our water supply are protected. It's also time for Nelson Hydro to move to an EV fleet so it can use more of the energy it generates.

It would be great to see some Nelson Hydro fast EV chargers, perhaps in partnership with BC Hydro or FortisBC. Industrial battery tech isn't as important for Nelson Hydro as we are connected to the larger BC Hydro / FortisBC grid where we can sell power when we have extra and buy power when needed. Although a big battery or two up at Whitewater would be great on those days that the power goes down :)

I am a strong supporter of Nelson's urban forest. Trees provide critical habitat, especially for birds, while also storing carbon and mitigating extreme weather. I will be tracking the City's commitments under its Interim 2025-26 Urban Forest Strategy, including a commitment to plant 100 trees this fall, and will work towards a tree bylaw that enables the designation of significant trees (mature trees that will be maintained rather removed) throughout the city, not just in the heritage zone downtown. The benefits the City's trees provide should be available to everyone working, playing and living in Nelson.

I am also a huge supporter of Nelson's parks and green spaces. These spaces only become more important as the climate changes. Lakeside park is one of Nelson's jewels and a great place to cool off on a hot day. Gyro is also an important refuge, especially for kids when the pool is open in the summer. Cottonwood park is naturally cooled by the waterfall and creek. The water park at Lions Park, the golf course, the playing fields, the graveyard are all important green and climate assets. I have a dog so I'm a regular on the rail-trail and the dog walk by the airport.

I was disappointed when Anderson Creek was dewatered in August 2025 during emergency water repairs, resulting in a significant fish kill. It was reassuring to see that the City has responded to this event with revised policies and procedures. I support ongoing efforts to restore Cottonwood Creek.

Thanks for the opportunity to contribute my thoughts on these important topics!