Kandy Sztepanacz

Council · Penticton

Carmi 37 yrs

About

I'm Kandy Sztepanacz, a mother of two who has spent my life in Penticton. I've worked in healthcare for 14 years. I'm also a Registered Professional Counsellor and Practical Nursing Student. I enjoy softball, paddleboarding, writing & painting.

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

✓ 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

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

✓ Create connected urban greenways for people and wildlife. Supportive

Land Use

We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.

✓ Build affordable homes near jobs, schools, shops, and transit. Supportive

✓ 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!).

~ Deliver reliable, frequent, affordable local transit. Neutral

✓ Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities. Supportive

~ Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone. Neutral

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.

✓ Implement water conservation plans and educate the public to conserve drinking water. Supportive

✓ 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 zero waste bylaws to divert organic waste and recyclables from disposal. Supportive

✓ Support the development of a circular economy to eliminate waste and improve resilience. Supportive

~ Implement bylaws to eliminate waste from new buildings, renovation, and demolition projects and to use existing buildings as efficiently as possible. Neutral

✓ 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 contribute to climate action through both my personal choices and community involvement. At home, I try to reduce unnecessary energy and water use by turning off lights when they aren't needed, not leaving water running, and being mindful of my consumption. I also volunteer with the David Suzuki Foundation as a Butterfly Ranger and have started by planting a butterfly-friendly garden of my own to support local pollinators. I believe that small actions, both individually and in the community, can contribute to positive environmental change.

Questions for Penticton

Transportation is Penticton's largest source of climate pollution. How can we decrease reliance on gas vehicles and improve how people get around the city using low emission transport (e.g. walking, biking, carpooling, bus/transit, EV)?

We can improve bus routes and hours, expand EV charging, support carpooling, secure bike parking and connected walking paths. I support safer cycling options too, but they must be designed without compromising traffic flow or emergency access.

Penticton Council adopted a Community Climate Action Plan in November 2021. How will you prioritize actions and set timelines to move the plan forward this term?

I would start with a review of the plan, rank actions by impact, cost and feasibility, then set yearly targets for this term. Council should receive regular progress updates so timelines can be tracked, delays addressed and priorities adjusted.

Resilience is about being ready for unexpected shocks. Along with emergency response, what long-term planning measures would you recommend to protect our community from the impacts of increasingly severe weather events and wildfires?

I’d prioritize FireSmart work, fuel reduction, protecting water and critical infrastructure, improving drainage and heat planning, and ensuring evacuation routes remain clear and functional. Long-term planning must reduce risk before an emergency happens

How will you balance immediate local priorities—like housing, jobs, and healthcare—with the need to reduce emissions and protect the environment so we can secure a sustainable future for our children?

I would look for solutions that do both—support housing, jobs and healthcare while reducing costs and emissions. That means smarter growth, energy-efficient housing, local jobs, better transportation and protecting the environment without adding unnecessary costs to residents.

Compiled & presented by

Authorized by First Things First Okanagan, registered sponsor under LECFA, info@firstthingsfirstokanagan.com

Vote4Tomorrow is an independent voter guide to evaluate where local candidates stand on climate and environmental policies that will affect our future.

Home About Why Contact Privacy Policy