Alli Deelstra

I have not worked professionally in climate policy, but environmental stewardship has been an important part of my volunteer work and personal life.

Through elected leadership roles with two B.C. charities connected to conservation, outdoor heritage and stewardship, I have gained experience thinking about how land, wildlife, habitat and public use can be balanced responsibly. That work has reinforced for me that environmental decisions should be grounded in evidence, science and long-term thinking.

On a personal level, I have reduced the amount I drive by working from home, which eliminated a previous 14-kilometre round-trip daily commute (3,600 km of driving avoided per year). I also consolidate errands and use delivery services to reduce individual vehicle trips. At home, I try to make practical choices by buying local produce, gardening our land, reducing household waste, expanding my household's soft-plastic recycling, and buying second-hand items or repairing things instead of replacing them.

My outdoor recreation pursuits have also made me more aware of the importance of habitat protection, watershed and wetland importance, healthy ecosystems and responsible use of natural spaces.

My contribution to climate action has therefore been less about formal climate policy and more about conservation, stewardship, reducing waste and consumption, and making practical choices that support a healthier environment.

My top priorities would be to protect Saanich’s natural areas and biodiversity, make sure growth is matched with infrastructure and environmental capacity, and strengthen practical conservation and stewardship across the municipality.

I would like to see Saanich work more closely with conservation and stewardship organizations so decisions benefit from local knowledge, science and on-the-ground experience. I also think climate resilience needs to be considered in the infrastructure we maintain and build, including drainage, water systems, urban trees, parks and emergency preparedness.

On transportation, I support practical investments that make walking, cycling and transit safer and more useful, while still considering congestion, accessibility and value for taxpayers.

I support a long-term transition away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy, provided implementation is practical, affordable and supported by reliable alternatives. I would want Saanich’s actions to focus on measurable emissions reductions, resilience and responsible investment rather than symbolic commitments alone.

I believe we need to protect what is ecologically important, invest where there is a clear long-term benefit, and use science-based evidence to balance environmental goals with affordability, recreation, agriculture and the needs of a growing community.

I will apply a climate lens by asking how major decisions affect emissions, resilience, natural systems and long-term costs, while also weighing affordability, infrastructure needs, public safety and the practical realities residents face.

Climate action should be integrated into good governance rather than treated as a separate issue. That means looking for opportunities to improve energy efficiency, protect natural assets, reduce waste, strengthen climate resilience and make transportation choices more sustainable where they are practical and effective.

I believe competing priorities require collaboration. I will work with fellow elected representatives and the CAO, and community organizations to find solutions that advance environmental goals without losing sight of fiscal responsibility or essential services. Being environmentally and socially responsible is increasingly important in a developed and diverse municipality.

I would provide leadership by requesting science-based evidence approach to topics brought forward to Council that climate action should be integrated into. That means asking what will have a measurable impact, what is financially sustainable, and how environmental goals can be integrated into the decisions Council is already making about infrastructure, land use, transportation and public services.

I also would advocate that Saanich can benefit from stronger collaboration with conservation and stewardship organizations, whose local knowledge and on-the-ground experience can help inform better decisions.

Meaningful climate action is about setting clear priorities, measuring results and recording the research for implementation, protecting natural systems, improving resilience and making thoughtful investments that deliver long-term environmental and community benefits. It requires continually attention and dedication to keep climate action at the forefront of decisions that impact the municipality and its residents.