← All candidates · Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Sandy Schroeder

Director · Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Area H 10 yrs

About

A resident of Osprey Lake since 2016, Sandy is a hardworking mother of 2, homeschooling, homesteading and supporting her community where she can. Believing in helping others and living her core values of honesty, integrity and hard work.

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. Neutral

~ Incentivize renewable energy, battery storage, and smart-grid technologies in new and existing buildings to improve energy security. Neutral

✓ 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.

✓ 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.

✓ 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!).

~ Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities. Neutral

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

~ Expand EV charging infrastructure. 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. Neutral

~ 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?

Our family lives by the old adage “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” as a basis for our life so we can eliminate waste. We cook from scratch, buy in bulk, are mindful about what we purchase and always seek out viable second hand options before buying new.

Questions for Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in the RDOS. What specific policies do you most support and will work for to address transportation emissions, including improved public transit, and safe walking and biking?

Rural life is quite dependent on access to vehicles. I personally recommend making every trip to town count. Never just 1 errand per trip.

How will you approach land use and housing policies to ensure that people of all income levels—including low-income residents—have access to safe, affordable homes that are also resilient to a changing climate?

Assess the current building bylaws to see what needs updating so residents can build homes for their families. I will also speak with local builders and residents to see what they feel is needed.

AI data centres use a lot of energy and water. What will be your approach if an AI data centre is proposed for your Area?

AI data centres use too much water for it to be a wise decision for our area. I would not support it.

The RDOS is vulnerable to many climate-related risks (e.g. wildfire, drought, smoke, flooding, heat, local supply chains). How will you address these risks to support our community’s resilience?

First, investigate what is currently in discussions and learn why those decisions are being made. Encourage all communities to have active and certified fire departments and work with their local Fire Smart programs.

Work with local authorities to make sure alternative access routes are maintained in event of need.

If you wish to clarify or add information you may use this space (250 word limit).

I am new to many of these questions, but am seeking to learn and inform myself so I can make wise decisions that benefit the residents in Area H. For example, the Community Plan for Area H is based off data from 10+ years ago. Our needs have evolved since then and the residents need to be listened to before decisions are made that impact their lives.

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.

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