Tim Stapenhurst

Since being elected in 2022, I have focused on climate action that is practical, measurable, and directly connected to the challenges Revelstoke faces.

As Council’s representative on the Environmental Advisory Committee, I have supported work aimed at reducing waste, protecting biodiversity, improving local environmental stewardship, and strengthening partnerships with community organizations. That has included advancing organics diversion and composting, supporting habitat and species protection initiatives, and keeping climate resilience part of the conversation as Revelstoke grows.

I also serve on the Community FireSmart & Resiliency Committee, where the connection between climate change and public safety is impossible to ignore. Hotter, drier summers and increasing wildfire risk demand action now, not someday.

Through that work, we have helped expand FireSmart education, homeowner assessments, rebate opportunities, debris removal and chipping programs, Wildfire Week, and stronger coordination between Revelstoke Fire Rescue, BC Wildfire Service, Parks Canada, the CSRD, and other partners. We have also helped advance significant provincial funding applications to continue and expand wildfire mitigation and community resilience work.

I grew up hearing the phrase “Think globally, act locally,” and I still believe in it today. Municipal governments may not be able to solve climate change on their own, but we can make practical decisions that strengthen our communities, protect the environment, and leave Revelstoke better prepared for the future.

That is the approach I have tried to bring to Council: practical action, local results, and responsibility for the community we leave to the next generation

My approach is practical: prepare for the impacts we know are coming, protect the natural systems that make Revelstoke special, and make resilience part of every major decision.

On wildfire, I will continue pushing for full implementation of the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan, expanding FireSmart participation, fuel-reduction work, neighbourhood preparedness, evacuation planning, and coordination with BC Wildfire Service, Parks Canada and the CSRD. Improving secondary emergency access also needs to remain part of that work. Wildfire and emergency readiness is already a central part of my Council record and future priorities.

On biodiversity and wildlife, I want Revelstoke to pursue provincial Bear Smart Community status, improve management of wildlife attractants, continue advocating for stronger Conservation Officer capacity, and work toward Bee City Canada designation to support pollinators, native planting and public education. My previous advocacy for additional Conservation Officer resources was endorsed at UBCM.

On water, we need to use metering data to identify leaks, understand actual consumption and make evidence-based infrastructure decisions. Conservation should be paired with clear communication and practical support for residents.

On land use, I support growth where infrastructure already exists while protecting riparian areas, sensitive habitat and our urban tree canopy.

On food security, I will continue supporting community gardens, local producers, the farmers market and opportunities to grow food locally.

My approach would be to strengthen the connection between Council, RCFC, its governance committees, the Environmental Advisory Committee and the community, while respecting the operational independence and expertise of the RCFC board.

RCFC is an important community asset, and its decisions have impacts far beyond forestry. Revenues generated through the Community Forest have helped fund $100,000 for the Farwell Splash Park, $300,000 for the Centennial Park Pump Track, $900,000 to the Legacy Fund in 2017–18 and another $700,000 in 2019. RCFC has also contributed $150,000 to caribou conservation, approximately $130,000 to the Forestry Museum, $75,000 toward the pool and recreation, $61,000 to the Food Bank and $30,000 to the Nordic Club, along with healthcare investments, scholarships and other community initiatives.

That level of community benefit also creates an obligation for strong transparency and public trust.
I would support clearer and more regular reporting to Council and the public, meaningful opportunities for advisory committees to provide input before major strategic decisions are made, and better communication about harvesting plans, environmental considerations, wildfire risk reduction, recreation impacts and how community revenues are being reinvested.

Public engagement should happen early enough that it can actually influence decisions—not after the direction has already been determined.

The goal should not be for Council to micromanage forestry operations. It should be to ensure that RCFC continues to combine professional forest management, environmental stewardship, economic value and genuine community involvement while preserving one of Revelstoke’s most valuable locally controlled assets.

Reconciliation has to be more than recognition. It requires relationships, consistency, and meaningful opportunities for Indigenous Nations to help shape decisions that affect their lands, culture, heritage, and economic future.

The City has previously had an Indigenous Liaison position, most recently held by Dale Tomma. That position is currently vacant, and I would support filling it again. I believe having a dedicated liaison creates continuity, helps build trust, and gives both Council and staff a stronger connection to the Nations and Indigenous communities we need to be working with.

I would also support earlier and more consistent engagement with Indigenous Nations on land-use planning, heritage, recreation, economic development, wildfire resilience, environmental stewardship, and major infrastructure projects. Too often, consultation can feel like something that happens after the direction is already largely set. I would rather see Indigenous perspectives included earlier, when they can meaningfully influence outcomes.

There is also an opportunity to strengthen cultural awareness within the organization, support Indigenous-led events and education, and look for partnerships that create tangible economic and community benefits.
For me, the next step is fairly straightforward: re-establish the Indigenous Liaison position, build stronger government-to-government relationships, and make Indigenous engagement a normal part of how the City does business rather than something treated as a separate exercise.

That is the kind of practical reconciliation work I would support.

The City has an important role in supporting a resilient local food system, but it should focus on partnerships, removing barriers, and helping local organizations and producers succeed rather than trying to run the food system itself.

Revelstoke already has a strong foundation through the 2022 Food Security Strategy, the Local Food Initiative, Community Connections, our farmers markets, local producers and school food programs. The next step is making sure those efforts are better connected and supported. The City’s own planning documents identify implementation of the Food Security Strategy as a municipal priority.

I would support continued investment in the Food Security Coordinator, community gardens, farmers markets and programs that increase access to locally produced food. I also want us looking at opportunities for indoor growing, food-related businesses and value-added production, while ensuring our zoning and land-use decisions do not unnecessarily prevent urban agriculture or local food production.

Food security also needs to become a stronger part of emergency preparedness. Highway closures, wildfires and supply-chain disruptions have shown how vulnerable mountain communities can be. Current local food-security work is already moving toward integrating food systems into Revelstoke's emergency planning, and I strongly support that direction.

We should also continue strengthening partnerships with schools, the Food Bank and local producers so public investment helps both people who need access to healthy food and the businesses producing it locally.

A resilient food system is ultimately about more than food. It is about affordability, emergency preparedness, local economic development and community self-reliance.

The City has a responsibility to ensure that the bears we use in Revelstoke’s identity and tourism messaging are backed by meaningful action to protect both wildlife and residents.

For me, that starts with reducing attractants and preventing conflicts before they occur. Recently, after concerns were brought forward by Revelstoke Bear Aware, I introduced a Council resolution calling for the removal of a fruit-bearing tree at Kovach Skate Park that was attracting wildlife.

I will continue working to strengthen the relationship between the City and Revelstoke Bear Aware, improve attractant management, expand education and bear-resistant infrastructure, and pursue provincial Bear Smart Community recognition.

But municipalities cannot do this alone. I introduced a resolution calling for additional funding, offices and staffing for the BC Conservation Officer Service so it can take a more proactive role in wildlife management. That resolution was approved by Council, endorsed by SILGA, and subsequently endorsed by UBCM in 2025.
Human-wildlife coexistence requires education, enforcement, responsible municipal policies and provincial resources working together.

If bears are going to be part of the Revelstoke brand, then protecting them — and reducing the conditions that lead to bears being destroyed — has to be part of our responsibility too.

Tourism is a major part of Revelstoke’s economy, but growth has to be balanced with housing, infrastructure, community livability and protection of the outdoor spaces people come here to enjoy.

On housing, I have already pushed for better coordination between municipalities and the Province. I introduced a resolution calling for a permanent provincial housing policy roundtable, bringing local governments, Indigenous and non-profit housing providers, market housing, academics and senior governments together before major housing policy changes are made. I also introduced a resolution calling for consistent provincial funding for the water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure required to support the Province’s new density requirements. Both were supported by Council and advanced provincially.

Moving forward, I also want the City to provide residents and Council with current, reliable data on vacancy rates, rental rates and housing occupancy. We cannot make good housing decisions if we do not clearly understand the market we are trying to address.

Sustainable tourism also means protecting access to the backcountry. I introduced a resolution opposing the closure or decommissioning of Forest Service Roads without consultation with local governments and Indigenous partners. Maintaining responsible access supports recreation, disperses visitors across a larger area, and is important for wildfire response and land stewardship.

We also need to invest in the places visitors and residents already use. That includes better maintenance of trails, parks and boat launches and basic amenities at high-use locations. At Five Mile Boat Launch, for example, something as simple as a pit toilet would be great.