Lisa Kwiatkowski

Mayor · Rossland

City of Rossland 6 yrs

About

Current City Councillor running for Mayor. 20+ years leading sport and non-profits. Voting record reflects support for climate action. Strong advocacy with Province re: Record Ridge to protect environment, human health, and sustainable tourism.

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

✓ Scale up energy retrofits for existing homes, businesses, and public buildings. Supportive

~ 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.

✓ 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

✓ 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

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

✓ Expand EV charging infrastructure. 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.

✓ 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?

Participated in drafting process for Integrated Climate Action Plan and fully supported while on Council. Voted in favour of zero carbon step code. Fully supported RDKB's waste diversion program, and will focus on continuous improvement in the next term.

Questions for Rossland

Do you support saving Record Ridge, and if so what will you do a) locally to make sure it doesn’t happen and b) in your work with the Province?

Absolutely, and have advocated directly with Provincial Ministers (Mining, Forests, Health, Tourism) for full integrity in the regulatory and legislative processes to protect culturally significant Indigenous territory, environment, human health and our sensitive tourism economy.

What next steps will you prioritize over the next 4 years to move forward on Rossland’s 100% Renewable Kootenay Plan?

As Mayor, I commit to leveraging the expertise of fellow Council and community members to ensure the 100% Renewable Kootenay Plan continues to be appropriately represented in our Council Strategic Plan and subsequent staff work plans - maintaining it as a key lens for how we implement our OCP.

What steps would you take to reduce environmental risks, support long-term prosperity and strengthen Rossland’s resilience as a mountain community closely connected to its natural environment?

I believe one of the most acute risks to Rossland right now is the proposed Record Ridge mining project. I commit to continued advocacy with the Province for more political oversight, while exploring all levers that we have as a Municipality to promote full integrity in the Provincial regulatory processes. As Mayor, I commit to engaging with council, staff and community experts to ensure Rossland's long-term resilience is front-and-center of our decision making for generations to come.

How should the City plan for long-term water security, and what investments, policies or changes in water management would you prioritize to ensure Rossland has a reliable and resilient water supply for both current and future residents?

I support the City pursuing external funding to embark on a watershed management plan, working together with the Rossland Sustainability Commission, the Rossland Stream keepers, and Living Lakes Canada to continue monitoring the health of our watershed and taking action accordingly.

How would you balance the financial benefits of development with protecting the natural environment and ensuring Rossland remains a strong, connected community for year-round residents?

I support Rossland's continued focus on densification through the zoning bylaw review. Continuing to engage with our economic partners, local community organizations, council, staff and neighbours to ensure we keep the protection of our natural environment as a primary lens - which is a key emphasis of our OCP.

What role do you believe the municipal government should play in supporting the health of residents?

I believe the welfare of residents - including health - can and should be a key lens of Municipal government. Even when we don't have full agency in issues like health care, housing, transportation - Municipal government has a strong voice regionally and provincially. We should expect our local leaders to advocate in these arenas for the issues that matter most to Rosslanders.

If you wish to clarify or add information you may use this space.

Re: Right To Cool Bylaw - Would focus on advocating to Province to integrate into existing tenancy act. Not right sized for current Rossland administrative framework.

Compiled & presented by

Authorized by West Kootenay Climate Hub, registered sponsor under LECFA, wkclimatehub@gmail.com

Vote4Tomorrow is an independent voter guide to evaluate where local candidates stand on climate and environmental policies that will affect our future.

Home About Why Contact Privacy Policy