Hazel Braithwaite
Council · Oak Bay
Oak Bay 37 yrs
About
Born in England, grew up in Calgary, worked as a Jr. Geophysicist, moved to PNG to teach mathematics.Arrived in Victoria in 1988, worked at Coast Capital training staff. Then United Way fundraising. Married to Rod 41 years, 1 daughter and a grandson
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?
I try to make climate and environmental responsibility part of my everyday life, as well as my work in the community. Personally, I drive an electric car and use an electric bike, and I live in a 1929 house that is just over 800 square feet. I think there is something to be said for making good use of what we already have rather than always building bigger.
In the community, I have volunteered at beach clean-ups, supported local climate initiatives and participated in events such as Tree Appreciation Day. I have also supported efforts to protect our parks, trees and natural areas through my work on Council and through the community organizations I am involved with.
I don't see climate action as something separate from the other work we do as a municipality. Decisions about trees, stormwater, infrastructure, transportation, development and how we use our land all have an impact on our environment and our ability to adapt to changing conditions. I also think individual actions matter, but municipalities have an important role to play in creating the conditions that make environmentally responsible choices easier. For me, that means looking for practical ways to reduce our environmental impact while also making sure that what we do is financially responsible and works for our community.
In the community, I have volunteered at beach clean-ups, supported local climate initiatives and participated in events such as Tree Appreciation Day. I have also supported efforts to protect our parks, trees and natural areas through my work on Council and through the community organizations I am involved with.
I don't see climate action as something separate from the other work we do as a municipality. Decisions about trees, stormwater, infrastructure, transportation, development and how we use our land all have an impact on our environment and our ability to adapt to changing conditions. I also think individual actions matter, but municipalities have an important role to play in creating the conditions that make environmentally responsible choices easier. For me, that means looking for practical ways to reduce our environmental impact while also making sure that what we do is financially responsible and works for our community.
Questions for Oak Bay
What are your top priorities for the next 4 years to address Oak Bay’s climate, environmental, and Coolkit goals?
My priorities would be protecting our urban forest and natural areas, improving our resilience to extreme weather, and making sure climate considerations are part of our infrastructure and development decisions. I would really like to see us continue working on tree retention and replacement (and work on our tree protection bylaw!), stormwater management and protection of important natural areas. We also need to prepare for things like extreme heat, drought and heavier rainfall. I think we need to be practical about this. Some investments, such as maintaining trees and improving stormwater management, can help with both climate resilience and the long-term health of our community and infrastructure.
I think for me personally, the goal is to make steady, practical progress rather than adopting targets that we don't have the resources or ability to deliver.
I think for me personally, the goal is to make steady, practical progress rather than adopting targets that we don't have the resources or ability to deliver.
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?
I think natural assets need to be considered at the beginning of the planning process, rather than after a building has already been designed. For significant development, I’d like to see mature trees, natural areas, drainage and stormwater, and important habitat identified early so that the design can respond to those features wherever possible. That would be consistent with the direction of our OCP, but there may be opportunities to strengthen our implementation policies and development guidelines. I would also like to see the Bowker Creek Blueprint considered more consistently when we are making planning and infrastructure decisions.
I’m so glad that the proposal that came to council for a large development across the street form the high school did not move forward as I really believe it could have caused damage to the creek. It really made me realize how we need to be aware of construction near the creek. I don't think the answer is to stop development. We need housing, but we need to be smarter about where and how it is built. Protecting mature trees and natural systems should be part of that decision from the beginning.
I’m so glad that the proposal that came to council for a large development across the street form the high school did not move forward as I really believe it could have caused damage to the creek. It really made me realize how we need to be aware of construction near the creek. I don't think the answer is to stop development. We need housing, but we need to be smarter about where and how it is built. Protecting mature trees and natural systems should be part of that decision from the beginning.
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?
It was great to receive the $70,000 and I think it could be best used to identify practical measures that will improve our resilience and community safety. I’d look particularly at extreme heat, stormwater and flooding, protection of our urban forest and other natural assets, and the vulnerability of important municipal infrastructure. It would also be great to see whether there are opportunities for nature-based solutions, such as trees, vegetation and permeable surfaces, to help with stormwater management and urban cooling. Most importantly, I would want the work to result in something Council can actually use — clear priorities, costs and potential funding sources for future projects. We shouldn't spend $70,000 simply producing another report that sits on a shelf. (and with my list we may need another $70K!!)
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