Kathleen Burton

My commitment to climate action is rooted in years of environmental advocacy, community service and professional work. I have a Master’s degree in Environment and Management, and my career has included leadership in the nonprofit and environmental sectors, including my role as Executive Director of the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary and Director of Development and Communications for the Land Conservancy of BC.

I have served on the Board of Nature Victoria, volunteered with the Greater Victoria NatureHood, and previously served on Saanich’s Parks, Trails and Recreation Advisory Committee. Through NatureHood, I helped lead the development of a regional nature map that encouraged residents to connect with nearby natural areas.

As President of the Camosun Community Association, I have supported community efforts to protect and restore natural areas, including Bowker Creek. I have also advocated for protecting biodiversity, natural areas and tree canopy while recognizing that Saanich must accommodate growth responsibly.

My approach to climate action is practical and community-based: reduce emissions where we can, prepare for climate impacts we know are coming, protect natural assets such as trees and waterways, and make decisions based on evidence and long-term sustainability. I believe climate action works best when it is connected to everyday priorities such as transportation, housing, infrastructure, public health and resilient neighbourhoods.

My priorities would be to turn Saanich’s climate and environmental plans into measurable action while listening to residents and balancing environmental, social and economic needs.

First, I would protect and expand our urban forest, with a focus on retaining high-value trees, increasing canopy in areas most vulnerable to extreme heat, and supporting responsible tree planting. Saanich’s Urban Forest Strategy sets a long-term target of 44% canopy cover by 2064.

Second, I would support watershed health, including restoration and daylighting opportunities for Bowker Creek, better stormwater management, and protection of natural areas and biodiversity. These are already identified priorities in Saanich’s environmental planning.

Third, I would advance practical emissions reductions through energy-efficient buildings, electrification, active transportation and better transit, while ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth.

Finally, climate adaptation must be treated as essential infrastructure planning. We need to prepare for extreme heat, wildfire, flooding and other climate risks and incorporate resilience into municipal investments and asset management.

For me, climate action is about measurable results, responsible spending and building a healthier, more resilient Saanich for current and future generations.

I would apply a climate lens by making climate impacts, costs, risks and opportunities part of every major municipal decision, rather than treating climate as a separate policy area.

That means asking practical questions: How will this decision affect emissions? Does it improve or reduce our resilience to wildfire, flooding, extreme heat and other climate risks? What are the long-term infrastructure and financial implications? Can we achieve multiple benefits for residents at the same time?

I also recognize that Council will face competing priorities and limited resources. I would not support treating every decision as simply “climate or no climate.” Instead, I would look for solutions that advance several priorities together, such as infrastructure investments that improve resilience while addressing existing asset-management needs, or transportation investments that improve safety, mobility and emissions.

Working collaboratively with fellow councillors, staff, regional partners, Indigenous communities, businesses and residents will be essential. I would bring evidence and long-term thinking to those conversations, listen to competing perspectives, and look for common ground.

For me, a climate lens means making decisions today that are financially responsible, environmentally sound and resilient enough to serve Saanich residents for decades to come.

I would provide meaningful leadership by turning climate commitments into practical, measurable action while recognizing that Council must balance environmental, social and economic priorities.

I would start by listening to residents, staff, Indigenous communities, businesses, environmental organizations and regional partners to understand both the challenges and the opportunities. Good leadership means bringing people together, especially when there are competing perspectives, and looking for solutions that deliver multiple benefits.

I would advocate for clear targets, timelines and accountability so residents can see what we are trying to achieve and whether we are making progress. Climate considerations should be integrated into infrastructure planning, transportation, land use, asset management, emergency preparedness and financial decisions, rather than treated as a standalone issue.

I would also focus on climate adaptation and resilience, including wildfire preparedness, urban forest protection, watershed health, stormwater management and preparing for extreme heat and other climate impacts.

Finally, I would work collaboratively with fellow councillors and the CRD to pursue opportunities that Saanich cannot address alone. As a councillor, I would bring my environmental background, governance experience and community connections to the table, while remaining open to new ideas and willing to adjust when evidence tells us a different approach will produce better results.

Meaningful leadership, to me, means using a systems thinking, strategic approach to move from plans to implementation, measuring results and including the community so they are part of the process.