Sierra Wicks-Irving

Council · Saanich

About

My name is Sierra Wicks-Irving, I am a 24 year old born and raised in Saanich. I currently work a licensed practical nurse and I am a volunteer at the BCSPCA. I am very focused on inclusion, accessibility, healthcare and environmental protection.

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.

~ Incentivize electric heat pumps and air filtration systems. Neutral

~ Incentivize renewable energy, battery storage, and smart-grid technologies in new and existing buildings to improve energy security. Neutral

× Scale up energy retrofits for existing homes, businesses, and public buildings. Opposed

~ 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.

~ Endorse the fossil fuel treaty and commit to phase out fossil fuels. Neutral

✓ Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources. Supportive

✓ 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

✓ Prioritize native tree planting in all areas, especially those with low tree cover, higher population densities, and more vulnerable residents. Supportive

✓ Create connected urban greenways for people and wildlife. Supportive

Land Use

We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.

✓ 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

~ Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone. Neutral

~ Expand EV charging infrastructure. Neutral

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.

✓ Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure. 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?

When the Shelbourne street road upgrade project came to council. I advocated heavily, several times, to protect our tree canopy which sadly was slaughtered in the end. I have been vocal about this for several years. The District of Saanich also wanted to cut down trees on my family's property and we were able to fight this and save our own trees in the very least. I also do what I can to reduce my carbon footprint through using alternative transportation options like walking, taking the bus or carpooling. I am slowly transitioning into a vegetarian diet given that the meat industry is harmful. Lastly, I served on an advisory committee for accessibility but I would use an environmental lense when it came to creating safe environments for people with disabilities. This included protecting green spaces and having tree canopies for cooling during hot months.

Questions for Saanich

What are your top priorities for the next 4 years to address climate and environmental goals in Saanich?

I want to see more mature trees replanted along corridors that have had their trees removed, I also do not support cutting down trees unless absolutely necessary (the tree is falling down or in poor health which poses a risk to others). I would also like to see incentives for alternate energy resources such as solar paneling. Protecting or providing spaces for wildlife as we are seeing an influx of deers, cougars and bears within communities. I would also push to protect vulnerable ecosystems and water resources. This includes providing incentives to people to reduce the amount of water they use.

How will you apply a climate lens to all your work with your fellow elected representatives, given competing priorities?

I have always been an advocate and the environment is one thing that is very important to me. I have seen firsthand how removing a tree canopy can impact wellbeing and other species. I also believe finding options for people that are climate focused is important. This is done through thoughtful research and collaboration. If elected to council, I will remain vocal about what impact is made on the environment when certain things come to the chambers. I think sometimes people do not always realize how the environment can be impacted so it is important to bring awareness in a clear and thoughtful manner.

How will you provide leadership in moving Saanich towards meaningful climate action?

I am hoping that my fellow climate action candidates are voted in as this would make it easier. Pro-development people are not going to do much for the environment given it is not their expertise. If I am elected, I know that I will always choose environments and ecosystems over things that require destruction. I think we can collaborate and find alternative ways to do things without ruining the environment. I also think providing access to environmentally motivated resources is important and making people aware of these options, for example, educating people on the benefits of solar panels and ensuring people have access to these resources.

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

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