Cairine Green

Council · Oak Bay

South Oak Bay 16 yrs

About

I was born and raised in Saanich, as was my husband. We have a son and two young grandchildren who share our property, in an intergenerational ADU. I am seeking a third consecutive Council term, having found it a privilege to serve my community.

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. 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.

✓ 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

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!).

✓ 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.

✓ 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?

Advocate for reducing housing demolition and waste, reduced our personal transportation from two cars to one, down sized to a 998 sq.ft. bungalow, installed an EV charger at our home, purchased an e-trike for local errands and trips, volunteered for years with environmental and agricultural groups on the Saanich Peninsula advocating for local food security and supported local Oak Bay climate action initiatives (Coolkit, Friends of Bowker Creek, Friends of Uplands Park, Climate Force etc.), through volunteer and Council work as an Oak Bay Councillor. Advocated on behalf of these groups and consistently voted to provide necessary grant/municipal funding as part of my role as a Councillor.

Questions for Oak Bay

What are your top priorities for the next 4 years to address Oak Bay’s climate, environmental, and Coolkit goals?

Proactive environmental protection specific to land use (preservation of green space/tree canopies/natural spaces and parks; support/encourage preservation of heritage homes/conversions and other older housing stock as options for attainable housing and greener density practices; replace/improve/maintain critical infrastructure including water, drainage, wastewater, sidewalks, bikeways etc.; encourage/support the expansion of Coolkit practices at the neighbourhood and community levels.

How would you ensure natural assets like mature trees and ecosystem corridors on private and public land, and Bowker Creek Blueprint goals, are prioritized before buildings are sited or designed? Does this support or change the OCP, processes, or bylaws?

Yes, I am very supportive of an approach that would result in greener practices on both private and public lands. This would require a zoning bylaw review as well as key changes to the development application process. Private land is more challenging but should start with extensive public education, especially with the development community. Reviewing the OCP to ensure that it aligns with "greener goals" for land use planning would also be key. FYI, I was one of four Council members who voted in December 2025, to support a new draft of the existing OCP, based on the community feedback imploring Council to scale back density targets and reduce the impacts on people and green spaces in Oak Bay, while still adhering to provincial housing policy and Bill 44.

The federal government just gave Oak Bay $70,000 to plan for climate resilience. How would you support the allocation of these funds to increase community health and safety?

These funds should be allocated to support local climate initiatives that reach as many residents and their families as possible, particularly at the neighbourhood level. Putting some of this funding into marine habitat restoration and riparian conservation, expanded tree canopy protection, enhanced park maintenance and tree planting and active pedestrian sidewalk improvements (Sidewalk Master Plan implementation) are specific to community health, public safety and climate resilience. I realize that funding is not plentiful but Oak Bay should proactively apply to both levels of senior government for any and all grant-funding options that are available.

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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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