Laura Gillanders

I bring important viewpoints to council such as the harm of light-pollution, being bat-friendly, continuing with the rodenticide ban to protect raptors and other wildlife. I encourage gardens, community gardens, invasive species removal, and pollinator awareness such as re-wilding areas and not using herbicide, keeping early spring flowers that some consider weeds, and supporting local nurseries that carry native plants. I volunteered on shoreline cleanups and invasive species removal days, participated in the climate march with my children and educated them to be our future environmentalists, walking and riding to school. I was the chair of the Food Security and Agriculture Advisory Committee prior to being elected.

I have always composted in my own yard and use the city green bin program for all the compostables that I don't want in my yard like grains and dairy. I mulch lawn clippings and have clover and other beneficial plants that rejuvenate the soil. I have an organic vegetable and flower garden and water by the method of deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth and water preservation. I have areas in my yard I've created to be suitable for bumblebee nesting and have made a de-facto "bee hotel" and mason bee areas. I am an early adopter of EV’s, and I use all biodegradable and natural cleaning products.

Sometimes the most important things are the little things like simply picking up garbage when I see it on the road before it ends up in the storm drain.

The decision was before I was on council, but council remains opposed to the Fortis Tilbury LNG expansion and recently re-submitted that position to the Province. I am concerned about the location of the LNG expansion being in the Fraser River and close to Richmond.

Yes I do. I have voted in favour of cycling routes and multi-use pathways since being on council. The Steveston multi-use pathway was already approved before I was elected but we did vote on a budget increase which then became a budget savings in the end, and we voted on a future expansion to extend to Riverport. We approved a lighting plan for the Railway Greenway which will be implemented soon. Initially staff came with a plan to light the entire path but many people were concerned about the wildlife and impacts of too much lighting. Through much debate and collaboration, we approved a hybrid plan with solar lighting in the darkest areas of the path to make it safe, connected, and energy efficient. I was also part of a collaborative process to find the best solution for a gravel MUP separated by fence from an off-leash dog park after frequent and increasing conflicts with dogs and bikes were occurring. I hope to see all of our routes connected eventually so that we have a truly awesome cycling, walking and rolling network.

We have already implemented an acceleration of the zero carbon step code. There was a push from some to dial our acceleration back to match the provincial timeline which is quite a bit slower. However after much debate, council decided to stick with the accerated schedule that we already adopted which was a big win for Richmond to remain leading in this area.

Yes, our energy systems are geo-thermal which is excellent power and sustainable.

There could be opportunities to expand local green jobs and trailing through sustainable city procurement – update city purchasing policies to favour contractors who hire locally, use sustainable materials, and offer green trade apprenticeships.

We could partner with Kwantlen Polytechnic University to expand urban farming programs and connect students with local green employers.

Perhaps more can be done with our circular strategy when it comes to deconstruction and material salvaging, resulting in a shift toward skilled, labour-intensive green jobs in waste diversion and resource recovery.

Anywhere possible we need to look for grant and partnership opportunities so that initiatives that lead the way aren’t funded on the backs of businesses that are already struggling or the taxpayer that is already over-extended. There are opportunities to move forward together for a brighter future that benefits everyone – business and the planet.