Anna Bundschuh
Director · Regional District of Central Kootenay
Area G 32 yrs
About
Public service professional with five years’ experience supporting constituentsthrough provincial programs, followed by service in the Premier’s Office advising on local government and rural communities. Passionate about solutions-focused leadership.
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.
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Support electrification of new buildings.
Supportive
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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
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.
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Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources.
Supportive
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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
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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.
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Protect and restore ecosystems, which are essential to human survival, health, and economic well-being.
Supportive
Land Use
We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.
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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!).
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Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities.
Supportive
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Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone.
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.
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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.
Supportive
✓
Support the development of a circular economy to eliminate waste and improve resilience.
Supportive
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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?
As a Constituency Advisor, I supported residents in accessing CleanBC programs and grants, shared information about available resources, and advocated for improved transportation options to strengthen resilience in our rural communities.
Questions for Regional District of Central Kootenay
How will you provide leadership to advance the priorities that have been identified in the RDCK Ideas for Climate Action plan, which the Board approved in April 2024?
As Area Director, I will advocate for a regular bus route through Area G, connecting residents to Nelson and the regional hospital in Trail. Reliable public transportation would reduce transportation barriers, improve access to essential services, and lower greenhouse-gas emissions.
I will support climate-smart growth by encouraging stronger regional land-use planning and better coordination of development. Through policy work and planning, we can guide growth responsibly while protecting community values and reducing climate risks.
I will also support local food production by advocating for farmers’ access to irrigation, water storage, and other resources that strengthen food security and resilience. In addition, I will promote stronger development requirements, mapping, and planning measures that identify and protect shorelines, conservation areas, and flood-risk zones.
By working collaboratively with residents, farmers, local governments, and regional partners, I will help turn the Board’s climate priorities into meaningful action that improves transportation, protects our environment, strengthens food security, and prepares our communities for a changing climate.
I will support climate-smart growth by encouraging stronger regional land-use planning and better coordination of development. Through policy work and planning, we can guide growth responsibly while protecting community values and reducing climate risks.
I will also support local food production by advocating for farmers’ access to irrigation, water storage, and other resources that strengthen food security and resilience. In addition, I will promote stronger development requirements, mapping, and planning measures that identify and protect shorelines, conservation areas, and flood-risk zones.
By working collaboratively with residents, farmers, local governments, and regional partners, I will help turn the Board’s climate priorities into meaningful action that improves transportation, protects our environment, strengthens food security, and prepares our communities for a changing climate.
The rising cost of utilities and materials are big challenges affecting affordability for residents. How would you assist property owners in improving the performance of their buildings, saving money and improving comfort year round?
As Area Director, I will advocate for stronger CleanBC rebates and programs that help residents and property owners improve building performance while reducing costs. Rising utility bills and material prices are creating serious affordability challenges, and energy-efficient upgrades can provide meaningful long-term savings.
I will work to improve access to funding for insulation, heat pumps, and energy-efficient windows and doors. These improvements can reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and energy consumption while making homes more comfortable throughout the year—warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
I will also support clear information and local assistance so residents, landlords, and building owners can better understand available rebates, plan upgrades, and access qualified contractors. Improving the energy efficiency of existing homes and buildings can lower monthly utility bills, protect residents from future cost increases, and improve the overall quality and value of our housing.
As Area Director, I will continue listening to local concerns and advocating for practical programs that make energy-saving improvements more affordable, accessible, and beneficial for our entire community.
I will work to improve access to funding for insulation, heat pumps, and energy-efficient windows and doors. These improvements can reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and energy consumption while making homes more comfortable throughout the year—warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
I will also support clear information and local assistance so residents, landlords, and building owners can better understand available rebates, plan upgrades, and access qualified contractors. Improving the energy efficiency of existing homes and buildings can lower monthly utility bills, protect residents from future cost increases, and improve the overall quality and value of our housing.
As Area Director, I will continue listening to local concerns and advocating for practical programs that make energy-saving improvements more affordable, accessible, and beneficial for our entire community.
AI data centres use a lot of energy and water. What is your approach if an AI data centre is proposed for your Area?
If an AI data centre were proposed in our area, I would support a moratorium until its impacts could be fully assessed. AI data centres can require significant amounts of electricity and water, which may place pressure on local resources, increase costs, and compete with residential, agricultural, and essential community needs.
A moratorium would provide time for meaningful public consultation and independent review of the project’s energy use, water consumption, environmental impacts, emissions, noise, and demands on local infrastructure. It would also allow the Regional District to develop clear policies and safeguards before considering approval.
I would prioritize protecting our community’s limited energy and water resources, ensuring they remain available for residents, farms, businesses, and future generations. Any proposal should demonstrate that it will not compromise affordability, environmental sustainability, or reliable access to essential services.
A moratorium would provide time for meaningful public consultation and independent review of the project’s energy use, water consumption, environmental impacts, emissions, noise, and demands on local infrastructure. It would also allow the Regional District to develop clear policies and safeguards before considering approval.
I would prioritize protecting our community’s limited energy and water resources, ensuring they remain available for residents, farms, businesses, and future generations. Any proposal should demonstrate that it will not compromise affordability, environmental sustainability, or reliable access to essential services.
How will you prioritize land use decisions that protect and restore ecosystems, protect watersheds, ensure habitat connectivity, and support flood management?
As Area Director, I would prioritize land-use decisions that protect and restore ecosystems while supporting safe, resilient communities. I would advocate for planning policies that protect watersheds, wetlands, shorelines, forests, and other sensitive areas from inappropriate development.
I would support maintaining habitat corridors and wildlife connectivity so species can move safely between ecosystems. Development should be directed away from environmentally sensitive areas and designed to minimize fragmentation, erosion, and impacts on water quality.
Flood mitigation would also be a key consideration. I would support accurate floodplain mapping, protection of natural drainage areas, restoration of wetlands, and development requirements that reduce runoff and protect communities from flooding. Where possible, natural infrastructure should be used alongside engineered solutions.
I would encourage stronger environmental assessments, clear development guidelines, and meaningful consultation with residents, farmers, Indigenous communities, conservation organizations, and technical experts. By integrating ecosystem protection into land-use planning, we can support responsible growth while safeguarding clean water, biodiversity, agricultural land, and community safety for future generations.
I would support maintaining habitat corridors and wildlife connectivity so species can move safely between ecosystems. Development should be directed away from environmentally sensitive areas and designed to minimize fragmentation, erosion, and impacts on water quality.
Flood mitigation would also be a key consideration. I would support accurate floodplain mapping, protection of natural drainage areas, restoration of wetlands, and development requirements that reduce runoff and protect communities from flooding. Where possible, natural infrastructure should be used alongside engineered solutions.
I would encourage stronger environmental assessments, clear development guidelines, and meaningful consultation with residents, farmers, Indigenous communities, conservation organizations, and technical experts. By integrating ecosystem protection into land-use planning, we can support responsible growth while safeguarding clean water, biodiversity, agricultural land, and community safety for future generations.
What climate-related infrastructure risks worry you most here (fire, heat, drought, air quality, floods, supply chains), and how will you collaborate with our regional municipalities to reduce risks and maximize impacts to keep our region safe?
The climate-related infrastructure risks I am most concerned about are flooding, wildfires, extreme weather, and the damage they can cause to roads, bridges, culverts, water systems, and power infrastructure.
In our region, heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt can lead to washouts, landslides, and flooding that isolate residents and disrupt access to essential services. Wildfires can damage homes, roads, communications, and electrical systems while creating serious evacuation challenges. Drought and changing weather patterns can also affect water availability and increase pressure on community water systems.
As Area Director, I would support updated risk mapping, regular inspections, preventative maintenance, and investments in resilient infrastructure. This includes improving drainage and culverts, protecting bridges and roads, strengthening emergency routes, maintaining reliable water systems, and supporting wildfire mitigation around communities.
I would also advocate for coordinated planning among local governments, emergency services, utility providers, Indigenous communities, and residents. Preparing before disasters occur is more effective and less costly than rebuilding afterward. Our infrastructure decisions must account for future climate conditions so that communities remain safe, connected, and prepared.
In our region, heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt can lead to washouts, landslides, and flooding that isolate residents and disrupt access to essential services. Wildfires can damage homes, roads, communications, and electrical systems while creating serious evacuation challenges. Drought and changing weather patterns can also affect water availability and increase pressure on community water systems.
As Area Director, I would support updated risk mapping, regular inspections, preventative maintenance, and investments in resilient infrastructure. This includes improving drainage and culverts, protecting bridges and roads, strengthening emergency routes, maintaining reliable water systems, and supporting wildfire mitigation around communities.
I would also advocate for coordinated planning among local governments, emergency services, utility providers, Indigenous communities, and residents. Preparing before disasters occur is more effective and less costly than rebuilding afterward. Our infrastructure decisions must account for future climate conditions so that communities remain safe, connected, and prepared.
Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in the RDCK. What specific policies do you most support and promise to work for to address transportation emissions, including improved public transit, and safe walking and biking?
I support expanding reliable public transit that connects residents throughout our region to larger centres, especially Nelson and the regional hospital in Trail. Better transit would reduce transportation barriers, vehicle dependence, and climate pollution while improving access to health care, employment, and essential services.
I will advocate for more frequent, dependable bus service, improved connections between communities, and transit schedules that better reflect residents’ needs. I will also support policies that encourage lower-emission vehicles and energy-efficient transportation infrastructure.
Safe walking and biking routes are essential for healthier, more connected communities. I will work with local governments, residents, and transportation partners to identify opportunities for active transportation corridors, including safer shoulders, trails, crossings, and connections between neighbourhoods and community services.
I look forward to meeting with people already working in this area and learning where investments can make the greatest difference. As Area Director, I will advocate for practical transportation solutions that improve mobility, reduce emissions, and make our region safer and more accessible for everyone.
I will advocate for more frequent, dependable bus service, improved connections between communities, and transit schedules that better reflect residents’ needs. I will also support policies that encourage lower-emission vehicles and energy-efficient transportation infrastructure.
Safe walking and biking routes are essential for healthier, more connected communities. I will work with local governments, residents, and transportation partners to identify opportunities for active transportation corridors, including safer shoulders, trails, crossings, and connections between neighbourhoods and community services.
I look forward to meeting with people already working in this area and learning where investments can make the greatest difference. As Area Director, I will advocate for practical transportation solutions that improve mobility, reduce emissions, and make our region safer and more accessible for everyone.
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