Sharon Roberts

In my daily life, I have many habits that reduce my carbon footprint. I grow my own food, and plant native flower species. I compost. I cook at home, preserve food and eat locally grown food as much as possible. I repair my things, shop at the thrift and avoid fast fashion.

I’m passionate about combating invasive plant species, restoring natural ecosystems, and planting native plants and pollinator gardens. This year, I co-organized a community group to work together on invasive species removal projects. My eventual goal would be for the Columbia Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS) to expand it’s invasive species removal incentive programs to include the RDKB as well.

If elected to council, one of the projects I would bring forward would be to expand Rossland’s Invasive Plant Policy, an initiative that is already on the minds of city staff.

I also have an artistic practice where I work with plants to make fabric dye. The fabric I use is all upcycled natural fibers that I buy at the thrift. The plants that I use are native plants that I grown in my garden or ethically harvest, invasive species, and kitchen waste. It’s been my experience that taking about my artistic practice and sharing my process is a great conversation starter about environmental stewardship

The Record Ridge Mine project is not the right project for Rossland. As someone who champions environmental stewardship, I believe we have a duty to prioritize environmental protection. We are in a climate crisis and the time to act is now. Canada has already lost roughly 75 - 80% of it’s grasslands since 1970. Record Ridge is a rare grasslands ecosystem and a designated Key Biodiversity Area. We have a duty to protect it.

We are so lucky in Rossland to have the dedicated team of the Save Record Ridge Action Committee (SRRAC). So far, I’ve supported the efforts of SRRAC by donating silent auction items, writing letters and signing petitions, and volunteering my time to support their initiatives. I will continue to champion and support the efforts of SRRAC into the future.

In my work with the Province, I would take every opportunity to advocate in support of saving Record Ridge. As our current council has demonstrated at this year’s UBCM conference, council members are advocating with the ministers responsible for issuing the permits for this mine project. This is advocacy work that I would take up, if elected to council.

Reducing carbon pollution from transportation and buildings, and diverting compost from landfills have been identified as the three biggest initiatives the city can support as identified in the Renewable Kooteany Plan.

Rossland is already taking action to make buildings more efficient opting into the Province of BC Zero Carbon Step Code to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on new builds. Choosing to opt into the step program at a higher level than provincially mandated is something that I would continue to uphold, and explore if a higher level is possible.

Regarding transportation, I would advocate for increased bus service between Rossland and Trail, and explore public transit options within our City, like a year round shuttle service between Rossland and Red Mountain. During the strategic planning process with new council, I would put forward a proposed public communication campaign encouraging multi-unit buildings to add an EV charging station in their car parks.

Regarding diverting compost from landfills, I’m currently serving on the Public and Technical Advisory Committee for the updated Solid Waste Management plan. I’ve advocating for greater access to compost options for Rosslanders living in multi-unit buildings. I’ve also put forward the idea for revenue generation by selling processed composted back to the community, similar to the model already in use in the Regional District of Columbia Kootenay. My seat on this committee would continue after the election as the plan update will still be in progress.

A priority item I would bring forward to council would be to pro-actively implement a data centre policy. Right now, communities and governments of all levels need to be pro-active in protecting themselves against potential environmental impacts from data centres. Surrounding communities like Beaver Valley are already enhancing their legislative protections against data centres. Christina Lake is currently navigating this with an existing data centre wanting to expand.

We also are really lucky that we have an active and passionate Fire Smart advocate in our community. I would continue to support Fire Smart initiatives and explore the possibility of additional wild fire risk reduction projects leveraging funding and resources from organizations like the Forest Enhancement Society of BC.

The most supportive thing that Rossland cound do to protect it’s water supply is to protect the forested watershed that feed our reservoir. There are many options available to municipalities to do so. Some of the things I would advocate for would be:

Better protections of riparian zones, especially at Red Mountain where there has been significant deforestation and development in the last few years.

Communication project to encourage owners to replace lawns with drought-resistant natural plant gardens.

Sidewalk upgrades that include water capture and treatment approaches

Partnering with other levels of government to protect our watershed area

I would also explore the value of developing a specific Water Security Plan for Rossland, outside of the Utilities Master Plan. The value of doing this would be to take a more proactive approach focused on water security.

Balancing growth with environmental stewardship and community well-being is a challenge faced by many resort municipalities like Rossland. These two interests are often viewed in opposition to each other, however, I think that development is an opportunity to improve our connection to the natural environment and with the community. I think that leaning into the natural beauty that is already here, and leveraging that as a selling point for folks to invest in Rossland is a real strength.

To make sure that growth serves our community, we can work with developers to keep natural habitats and ecosystems in mind when approaching development projects. We can also work within our own municipal structure and projects to uphold these ideals. A good place to start would be requiring remediation of land to natural and native species following soil disturbances and maintaining wildlife corridors.

Increasing public knowledge and awareness of our natural ecosystem and species would increase emotional investment from folks who live here to do the same. It would also create a tourism opportunity for people visiting Rossland to explore our ecosystem.

I think the health and well-being of citizens is the main responsibility of government at every level. While each level of government has its own spheres of responsibility, municipal governments operate in the closest proximity to the people that they serve. The choices of municipalities set the tone and shape the daily conditions that form the basis for health and well-being for all. A municipality ensures a vibrant, resilient community through its projects and policies. It also has the responsibility to acknowledge and take action to remediate conditions when it notices its citizens suffering.

There are many measurable indicators of health in a community. Access to safe, affordable, and stable housing through life, including the ability to age in place, is a fundamental function of a municipality. Additionally, supporting access to health care, reliable transportation, recreation opportunities, food security, and arts and culture all form the foundation of community well-being.