Kate Tait
Council · Nelson
City of Nelson 18 yrs
About
I'm drawn to the natural beauty and vibrant arts and culture of Nelson. I'm motivated by a spirit of service and a growth mindset, focused on building community wellbeing, creating opportunities for connection, and reducing barriers to education.
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.
✓
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.
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.
✓
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
✓
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.
✓
Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater.
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!).
✓
Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities.
Supportive
✓
Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone.
Supportive
✓
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.
✓
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.
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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
✓ 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?
Admittedly, climate action has not been the focus of my community building or career path. Sitting on City Council has given me an opportunity to learn more, listen carefully, work to balance priorities, and trust experts with advice on strategies that are locally grounded and globally impactful.
Questions for Nelson
In 2020, Nelson Council adopted the Nelson Next Climate Action Plan. How will you set timelines for implementing the plan and ensure they move forward this term?
Mayor and Council and staff have an opportunity at the beginning of term to collectively create a Strategic Plan. These discussions set direction that balance the priorities of the municipality. With Nelson Next as the guiding document, we can look forward to setting realistic goals for work plans and moving towards a sustainable and future-ready model for service delivery that includes climate action.
How will you advocate for better public transit (frequency, coverage, fares), both locally and intercity, including working with other levels of government?
I have heard from transit riders that the frequency should be improved. Mayor and Council selects a representative to attend the RDCK West Kootenay Transit Committee where challenges are discussed, solutions proposed, and advocacy for improvements takes place. Continuing to have a strong voice at this table, and collaborating with BC Transit to improve service is a key function of the member who attends on behalf of Nelson City Council.
What policies will you implement to reduce the health risks of dangerous outdoor and indoor summer heat and poor air quality, particularly for renters, low-income households, and children attending outdoor summer day camps?
Working with our regional partners at the Recreation Commission No. 5, we recently discussed the importance of planning for climate-related health impacts, specifically around air quality and heat. As these events become more frequent and severe, we need to consider how staffing levels, available resources, public amenities, and operating budgets can support response measures. This includes ensuring partnerships with local non-profits for outreach to assist vulnerable populations, maintaining cooling and clean air spaces, and allocating sustainable funding to meet these changing needs. Proactive planning today will help protect public health in the years ahead.
Some municipality-owned utilities in Canada, like Summerside in PEI, are investing in solar, wind and batteries. As electricity demand increases, how would you support Nelson Hydro diversifying its generation to include other renewable sources?
Nelson Hydro has been researching opportunities for energy production for years. The existing solar garden was a innovative project that gives us an understanding of the challenges and benefits of diversifying electricity infrastructure: it’s very expensive to build new systems! I support the efforts to re-think and get excited about other possibilities. I will continue to encourage Nelson Hydro staff to continue to think outside the box and explore what future energy projects might look like.
Natural spaces improve human health, biodiversity, and mitigating extreme weather like heat and flooding. What can you do to ensure the City prioritizes preserving natural areas, green space, and the lakeshore?
I recognize that our parks and natural areas are seeing more pressure as our community grows. I’m proud that Mayor and Council set aside green space as part of the Trevor Street landswap. Natural spaces and access to the lakeshore are a big part of what makes Nelson such a great place to live. While the City has limited foreshore, we work closely with the Kootenay Lake Partnership to help protect and steward the lake and shoreline. I'll continue to support protecting green spaces, preserving access to nature, and looking for new ways for our neighbours to access beautiful spaces for gathering, reflecting, recreating, and relaxing
If you wish to clarify or add information you may use this space.
Regarding "zero-waste" policies, I recognize that it may not be realistic to set a goal like this, but that doesn't mean we can't make improvement.
I'm always looking forward to learning more from you, the other candidates, and residents. See you at the forums.
I'm always looking forward to learning more from you, the other candidates, and residents. See you at the forums.
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