Tim Palmer
Mayor · Revelstoke
Revelstoke 16 yrs
About
Tim Palmer is a two-term Revelstoke City Councillor with 30+ years of local government experience, from municipal infrastructure to senior administration. He is running for Mayor on a commitment to Vision, Transparency and Accountability.
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 electric heat pumps and air filtration systems.
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
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Implement a 'right to cool' bylaw to protect tenants during extreme heat events.
Neutral
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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Endorse the fossil fuel treaty and commit to phase out fossil fuels.
Neutral
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Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources.
Neutral
✓
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
✓
Prioritize native tree planting in all areas, especially those with low tree cover, higher population densities, and more vulnerable residents.
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.
Supportive
✓
Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities.
Supportive
✓
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.
✓
Implement water conservation plans and educate the public to conserve drinking water.
Supportive
✓
Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure.
Supportive
✓
Develop and implement a water security plan.
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.
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?
Environmental stewardship has been an important part of my work on Council.
I advocated for stronger protection of environmentally sensitive lands in the Jordan River area that had been considered for gravel extraction. When Council did not support my initial proposal for park protection, I continued working with community members and through the comprehensive zoning bylaw review to strengthen environmental protection.
I have also worked with members of the Environmental Advisory Committee to protect the Inland Temperate Rainforest, including an initiative that ultimately received support from Revelstoke Council, the CSRD, and SILGA.
I participate in the Municipal Climate Caucus, which provides an opportunity to learn from other local-government leaders about practical municipal responses to climate change.
Personally, I value an active, outdoor lifestyle and regularly walk, cycle, hike and Nordic ski. Living in Revelstoke reinforces for me that environmental stewardship is not separate from our economy or quality of life. Protecting our forests, water, biodiversity and natural surroundings is part of protecting what makes this community special.
I advocated for stronger protection of environmentally sensitive lands in the Jordan River area that had been considered for gravel extraction. When Council did not support my initial proposal for park protection, I continued working with community members and through the comprehensive zoning bylaw review to strengthen environmental protection.
I have also worked with members of the Environmental Advisory Committee to protect the Inland Temperate Rainforest, including an initiative that ultimately received support from Revelstoke Council, the CSRD, and SILGA.
I participate in the Municipal Climate Caucus, which provides an opportunity to learn from other local-government leaders about practical municipal responses to climate change.
Personally, I value an active, outdoor lifestyle and regularly walk, cycle, hike and Nordic ski. Living in Revelstoke reinforces for me that environmental stewardship is not separate from our economy or quality of life. Protecting our forests, water, biodiversity and natural surroundings is part of protecting what makes this community special.
Questions for Revelstoke
What actions will you take to better prepare the City of Revelstoke to mitigate, adapt and respond to the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, including in areas of food security, land-use, water consumption, and wildfires?
Climate action needs to be integrated into everyday city decision-making, rather than treated as a separate initiative.
I would strengthen climate and biodiversity considerations in land-use planning, infrastructure investment and asset management. This includes protecting environmentally sensitive lands and watercourses, maintaining a resilient water supply, supporting water conservation, and ensuring wildfire and emergency preparedness remain priorities.
I also want the City to lead by example. Our vehicle fleet should transition toward electric and lower-emission vehicles wherever operationally suitable. Fleet decisions should consider lifecycle costs, fuel costs, available incentives and carbon emissions—not simply the initial purchase price.
Food security should also be considered in land-use planning and emergency preparedness, while continuing to support community gardens, local food production and the farmers market.
I support proactive municipal action toward carbon neutrality, but climate policy must also be practical, evidence-based and within the City's authority. I will support ambitious measures where the objectives, implications and path to implementation are clearly understood.
Finally, our climate commitments should be incorporated into strategic planning, with measurable objectives, responsibilities, timelines and public reporting on progress.
I would strengthen climate and biodiversity considerations in land-use planning, infrastructure investment and asset management. This includes protecting environmentally sensitive lands and watercourses, maintaining a resilient water supply, supporting water conservation, and ensuring wildfire and emergency preparedness remain priorities.
I also want the City to lead by example. Our vehicle fleet should transition toward electric and lower-emission vehicles wherever operationally suitable. Fleet decisions should consider lifecycle costs, fuel costs, available incentives and carbon emissions—not simply the initial purchase price.
Food security should also be considered in land-use planning and emergency preparedness, while continuing to support community gardens, local food production and the farmers market.
I support proactive municipal action toward carbon neutrality, but climate policy must also be practical, evidence-based and within the City's authority. I will support ambitious measures where the objectives, implications and path to implementation are clearly understood.
Finally, our climate commitments should be incorporated into strategic planning, with measurable objectives, responsibilities, timelines and public reporting on progress.
What will be your approach to working with and empowering governance committees, including the Environmental Advisory Committee, and to improving community involvement in decision-making for the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation?
Revelstoke has knowledgeable citizens willing to contribute their expertise. Council should make better use of that resource.
I will work to strengthen the role of the Environmental Advisory Committee by giving it meaningful opportunities to provide advice early enough to influence decisions - not simply asking for comment after directions have largely been established. Council should also provide clear referrals and respond to committee recommendations.
I will continue participating in the Municipal Climate Caucus and encourage other councillors' participation in municipal climate networks and professional development.
I also believe the mandate and governance of the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation deserve review. Forestry remains economically important, but a community forest should reflect the full range of community values. That includes sustainable forestry, biodiversity, wildfire resilience, recreation, tourism, watershed protection, carbon considerations and long-term community benefit.
I would support greater community dialogue about what Revelstoke expects from its community forest and greater transparency about how those objectives are established, measured and reported.
I will work to strengthen the role of the Environmental Advisory Committee by giving it meaningful opportunities to provide advice early enough to influence decisions - not simply asking for comment after directions have largely been established. Council should also provide clear referrals and respond to committee recommendations.
I will continue participating in the Municipal Climate Caucus and encourage other councillors' participation in municipal climate networks and professional development.
I also believe the mandate and governance of the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation deserve review. Forestry remains economically important, but a community forest should reflect the full range of community values. That includes sustainable forestry, biodiversity, wildfire resilience, recreation, tourism, watershed protection, carbon considerations and long-term community benefit.
I would support greater community dialogue about what Revelstoke expects from its community forest and greater transparency about how those objectives are established, measured and reported.
How can the City of Revelstoke better support reconciliation and collaborate with Indigenous Nations?
Reconciliation begins with relationships, listening and a willingness to learn.
This year I attended the Ktunaxa Nation Annual General Assembly. Experiences such as this have reinforced for me that municipal relationships with Indigenous Nations should not be limited to consultation when the City has a particular project or statutory obligation.
As Mayor, I would seek opportunities for regular government-to-government dialogue with the Indigenous Nations connected to this area, with the objective of understanding priorities, identifying shared interests and building relationships over time.
There are practical areas where stronger relationships can produce meaningful collaboration - including land stewardship, environmental protection, cultural recognition, economic development and community education.
My approach would be to listen first, establish respectful and durable relationships, and look for practical opportunities to work together.
This year I attended the Ktunaxa Nation Annual General Assembly. Experiences such as this have reinforced for me that municipal relationships with Indigenous Nations should not be limited to consultation when the City has a particular project or statutory obligation.
As Mayor, I would seek opportunities for regular government-to-government dialogue with the Indigenous Nations connected to this area, with the objective of understanding priorities, identifying shared interests and building relationships over time.
There are practical areas where stronger relationships can produce meaningful collaboration - including land stewardship, environmental protection, cultural recognition, economic development and community education.
My approach would be to listen first, establish respectful and durable relationships, and look for practical opportunities to work together.
What role should the City of Revelstoke play in supporting a resilient local food system?
The City's role should primarily be to enable and support the people and organizations already doing this work well.
Revelstoke's community gardens, Local Food Initiative and farmers' market have become important community assets. The City can support them through appropriate land-use policies, access to municipal land and facilities where appropriate, partnerships, and by avoiding unnecessary regulatory barriers.
Food security should also be considered in broader community planning and emergency preparedness. Revelstoke's geography and dependence on transportation corridors make resilience particularly relevant when highway closures, wildfire, extreme weather or other disruptions affect supply chains.
I would like the City to work collaboratively with local food organizations to identify practical actions where municipal support can make a meaningful difference, while recognizing that the City does not need to operate programs that community organizations are already delivering effectively.
Revelstoke's community gardens, Local Food Initiative and farmers' market have become important community assets. The City can support them through appropriate land-use policies, access to municipal land and facilities where appropriate, partnerships, and by avoiding unnecessary regulatory barriers.
Food security should also be considered in broader community planning and emergency preparedness. Revelstoke's geography and dependence on transportation corridors make resilience particularly relevant when highway closures, wildfire, extreme weather or other disruptions affect supply chains.
I would like the City to work collaboratively with local food organizations to identify practical actions where municipal support can make a meaningful difference, while recognizing that the City does not need to operate programs that community organizations are already delivering effectively.
Bears are closely tied to Revelstoke’s identity and tourism messaging. What responsibility does the City have to ensure that this identity is backed by meaningful action and investment in human–wildlife coexistence?
If bears are part of Revelstoke's identity, we also have a responsibility to take human-wildlife coexistence seriously.
I have advocated for the restoration of a provincial Conservation Officer presence in the Revelstoke area. I believe the City can strengthen that advocacy by working collectively with community organizations, the Environmental Advisory Committee and neighbouring jurisdictions to present a coordinated case to the Province.
Municipal responsibility also extends beyond advocacy. Waste management, attractant reduction, public education, land-use decisions and enforcement all influence human-wildlife conflict.
I would ask the Environmental Advisory Committee and relevant community organizations to help identify practical improvements the City can make within its own jurisdiction, while continuing to press the Province for the wildlife-management resources that are its responsibility.
Our objective should be straightforward: reduce preventable conflicts, improve public safety and protect wildlife.
I have advocated for the restoration of a provincial Conservation Officer presence in the Revelstoke area. I believe the City can strengthen that advocacy by working collectively with community organizations, the Environmental Advisory Committee and neighbouring jurisdictions to present a coordinated case to the Province.
Municipal responsibility also extends beyond advocacy. Waste management, attractant reduction, public education, land-use decisions and enforcement all influence human-wildlife conflict.
I would ask the Environmental Advisory Committee and relevant community organizations to help identify practical improvements the City can make within its own jurisdiction, while continuing to press the Province for the wildlife-management resources that are its responsibility.
Our objective should be straightforward: reduce preventable conflicts, improve public safety and protect wildlife.
How will you ensure that Revelstoke’s tourism growth is sustainable, reflective of community priorities, and balances the need for housing that is affordable and climate resilient?
Tourism is an important part of Revelstoke's economy, but its success should ultimately contribute to the quality of life of the people who live here.
Tourism Revelstoke has made significant progress in moving beyond destination marketing toward destination management. I have advocated for a stronger working relationship between the City and Tourism Revelstoke and have met regularly with tourism leadership.
As Mayor, I would establish regular discussions among the Mayor, Tourism Revelstoke and the Chamber of Commerce so that tourism, economic development and municipal planning remain connected to overarching community priorities.
Those discussions should include infrastructure capacity, transportation, housing and workforce pressures, climate resilience, environmental stewardship, visitor management and the community's ability to accommodate continued tourism growth.
Housing is part of that equation, but it cannot be considered independently of infrastructure, land use, affordability and community character.
Revelstoke should continue to benefit from a strong visitor economy while managing tourism in a way that protects the natural environment and the qualities that make this a desirable place to live as well as visit.
Tourism Revelstoke has made significant progress in moving beyond destination marketing toward destination management. I have advocated for a stronger working relationship between the City and Tourism Revelstoke and have met regularly with tourism leadership.
As Mayor, I would establish regular discussions among the Mayor, Tourism Revelstoke and the Chamber of Commerce so that tourism, economic development and municipal planning remain connected to overarching community priorities.
Those discussions should include infrastructure capacity, transportation, housing and workforce pressures, climate resilience, environmental stewardship, visitor management and the community's ability to accommodate continued tourism growth.
Housing is part of that equation, but it cannot be considered independently of infrastructure, land use, affordability and community character.
Revelstoke should continue to benefit from a strong visitor economy while managing tourism in a way that protects the natural environment and the qualities that make this a desirable place to live as well as visit.
Campaign contributions
Public records from Elections BC — 7 contributions totalling $2,380.96.
2022 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS
2 contributions · $353.73
| Contributor | Date | Amount | Office | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PETER HUMPHREYS | Oct 13, 2022 | $163.01 | COUNCILLOR | REVELSTOKE |
| TIM PALMER | Oct 13, 2022 | $190.72 | COUNCILLOR | REVELSTOKE |
2021 REVELSTOKE BY-ELECTION
4 contributions · $1,133.93
| Contributor | Date | Amount | Office | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PETER BERNACKI | Jan 19, 2021 | $201.60 | COUNCILLOR | REVELSTOKE |
| PETER HUMPHREYS | Feb 10, 2021 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | REVELSTOKE |
| ROSS LANG | Jan 27, 2021 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | REVELSTOKE |
| TIM PALMER | Jan 21, 2021 | $332.33 | COUNCILLOR | REVELSTOKE |
2018 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS
1 contribution · $893.30
| Contributor | Date | Amount | Office | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIMOTHY PALMER | Sep 27, 2018 | $893.30 | COUNCILLOR | REVELSTOKE |
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