Nathalie Chambers

Climate-Logical Agriculture: Local, Local, Local
For the last 25 years, I have been on a quest to protect these globally imperilled, culturally significant ecosystems, with the best growing conditions and soils in Canada. As a councillor, I have said NO to the mega-mansions, subdivision, and industrial misuse of farmlands. These uses are non-permitted uses within the ALR. I have challenged the complaint-driven bylaw system and advocated for the proactive monitoring of these lands. I have strongly advocated for protection of biodiversity and the urban forest canopy during development. My approach to climate action has been practical and community-focused. I am an organic farmer, businesswoman, and published author of Saving Farmland: the Fight for Real Food. This book is about the community's dream to protect Madrona Farm forever with TLC in 2010. This book is about climate-logical organic agriculture and documents the actions taken to protect a biodiversity/farmland/wildlife corridor through the Blenkinsop Valley as well as to create a regional farmlands trust (many assisted in this legacy). We have the best climate and fertile soils here, yet we are still one of the most food-insecure places. Protecting these globally renowned, culturally significant ecosystems, which are highly speculated by real estate development, has been the challenge of my life. Sustainable development means protecting farmland soils for farming. Saving farmland, biodiversity, and urban forest canopy. These are natures solutions for change. Getting Veggie Stands and farmgate sales legalized inside the urban containment was a big success for our local economy and food security.

My priority would be to move from plans to measurable implementation across the municipality.

First, I would support rapid implementation of Saanich’s climate commitments: cleaner buildings, energy retrofits, heat pumps, renewable energy, EV charging, better transit and safe walking, cycling and rolling networks, while improving resilience to heat, wildfire, drought and flooding.

Second, biodiversity should be a responsibility across all municipal departments. Development, roads, drainage, public works and landscaping all affect habitat. I would prioritize remaining high-value natural areas, mature tree canopy, wetlands, streams and ecological corridors, and work toward a “nature needs half” approach in which at least 50% of our land and waters contribute to protecting and restoring nature.

Municipal landscapes, boulevards and parks should prioritize locally appropriate native plants and functioning habitat, with support and incentives for residents and businesses to do the same.

I would also support watershed protection, local food security, a circular economy and greater reuse of buildings and materials. I support protecting our limited energy and water resources from unnecessarily intensive uses, including the proposed moratorium on AI data centres.

Progress should be measured by outcomes: emissions, energy use, canopy cover, habitat protected and restored, ecological connectivity, native plant and pollinator habitat, and the condition of key ecosystems and species

I would apply a climate lens by asking a consistent set of questions of major Council decisions: Will this increase or reduce greenhouse-gas emissions? Will it make Saanich more or less resilient to heat, drought, wildfire and flooding? What does it do to biodiversity, tree canopy, water and soil? What are the long-term operating and infrastructure costs? Who benefits, who bears the costs, and are there practical lower-carbon alternatives?

A climate lens should not be a separate environmental test applied at the end of a project. It should be part of how Saanich evaluates housing, transportation, roads, drainage, procurement, parks, buildings and land-use decisions from the beginning.

Competing priorities are real, particularly affordability, housing, infrastructure renewal and taxation. We should look for solutions that address several needs at once: locating housing where people can walk, cycle or use transit; protecting mature trees and natural drainage as we grow; retrofitting buildings to reduce emissions and energy costs; and using natural infrastructure to manage stormwater and extreme heat.

Where trade-offs cannot be avoided, I would want them identified openly, supported by evidence and measured against Saanich’s long-term goals rather than leaving environmental and financial costs to future councils and residents.

Meaningful climate leadership means turning commitments into funded actions, timelines and measurable results.

I would support clear annual priorities for implementing Saanich’s climate, biodiversity, urban forest, transportation and watershed goals, with public reporting that shows what has been completed, what is behind schedule and whether environmental conditions are actually improving.

Climate and biodiversity responsibilities should also extend across the municipality. Planning, engineering, transportation, public works, facilities, procurement and parks all influence emissions and ecological health.

Leadership means making climate action practical for residents: supporting building retrofits and heat pumps, expanding EV charging, improving transit and active transportation, protecting people during extreme heat, encouraging native planting and habitat stewardship, and reducing waste.

Saanich should also advocate beyond its direct jurisdiction, including for the phase-out of fossil fuels and appropriate legal measures to recover climate-related costs from major polluters.

I would support collaboration with neighbouring municipalities, the CRD, senior governments, residents, businesses and community organizations, together with respectful government-to-government relationships with the W̱SÁNEĆ and lək̓ʷəŋən peoples in stewardship of land and water.

Ultimately, leadership should be measured by outcomes: falling emissions, greater resilience, healthier and better-connected ecosystems, increased tree canopy and reduced waste.