Roxanne Helme KC

Council · Oak Bay

28 yrs

About

I am a lawyer by profession. I have been engaged in numerous governance roles over many years. Please visit my website https://roxannehelme.ca for more information about me.

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 have a long personal history of being objectively mindful of reducing my own personal impact on emissions and the environment. I am well known as someone who keeps the heat in my house low (numerous friends suggest unreasonably so). Cycling and public transit were my primary modes of transportation in my school and university days and I currently walk, ride or carpool as much as reasonably possible. I drive a 23 year old vehicle. I have no plans to purchase another vehicle in my lifetime. I have had a greenhouse in my front yard for years and have grown tomatoes from seed and shared seedlings with numerous neighbours and friends. I also grow other vegetables seasonally. My friends know that I am vehemently opposed to waste of any kind, especially food waste. I am a regular depository for friends' food when they are clearing their fridges and pantries in preparation for a vacation. I am known for "hodge podge" which is my version of leftovers made interesting and appealing.

I continue to serve pro bono as legal counsel to the Vancouver Island Trail Association (promoting a non-motorized hiking route from Cape Scott to Anderson Hill Park) and also the Federation of Mountain Clubs of BC. These organizations support non-motorized environmentally sensitive recreation.

Questions for Oak Bay

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

1. to support each of the goals set out in the District of Oak Bay's Urban Forest Management Strategy;
2. to promote the protection and enhancement of the District's tree canopy;
3. to promote accessible active transportation in Oak Bay; and
4. to support community engagement and education opportunities.

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?

Bills 43, 44 and 47 together all serve to significantly reduce the jurisdiction of municipal councils in the province to actively oversee the development process in their respective municipalities. In doing so they pose a significant risk to Oak Bay's tree canopy. While some of the goals of the provincial legislation may have been commendable, the realities of the risks associated with inflexible zoning mandates and housing quotas are matters that I believe that municipal councils ought to be actively and regularly bringing to the attention of the province in hopes that appropriate change can be affected. In Oak Bay we are fortunate to have in our MLA also a Minister of the Crown who will hopefully be accessible and responsive.

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?

I would first look to District Staff to provide several possible options for consideration in allocating the grant funds.

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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