Robin Wiens

Council · Salmon Arm

Climate Leader

24 yrs

About

Father: Three thriving teenagers Husband: Married to Sara Wiens- 24 years Teacher: KCS - ERS - JLJ - SASF (25 years) Education: B.Ed (UBC). - B.H.K.(UBC) - M.Ed Member/President of multiple boards over last two decades. Coach: Volleyball Soccer

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.

✓ Support electrification of new buildings. Supportive

✓ Incentivize electric heat pumps and air filtration systems. Supportive

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

✓ Scale up energy retrofits for existing homes, businesses, and public buildings. Supportive

~ 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. Supportive

~ Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources. Neutral

✓ 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

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.

✓ Build affordable homes near jobs, schools, shops, and transit. Supportive

✓ 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. Supportive

✓ Expand EV charging infrastructure. Supportive

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.

✓ Implement water conservation plans and educate the public to conserve drinking water. Supportive

✓ Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure. Supportive

✓ Develop and implement a water security plan. 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?

Installed Solar panels on roof.
Purchased an EV.
Installed level two charger.
Energy audit of personal residence.
Committed to replace second vehicle with EV when vehicle needs to be replaced.
Ongoing conversations with friends, coworkers and family about how important climate action is.
Daily choices to prioritize eating local, organic, recycle, reuse, and reduce.
Follow water conservation guidelines.
Being an informed citizen by reading, understanding and promoting science.
Using secondhand clothing & items where possible.
Committed to buying less and repairing.
Electrification of yard tools.

Questions for Salmon Arm

How will you prioritize implementing actions identified in the Climate Resilience Plan that target community emissions from buildings and transportation to reach a 48% GHG emission reduction by 2030?

I would listen to the recommendations of the climate experts in our region along with city employees to discern which parts of the plan are most impactful and most attainable. And then work to implement parts of the plan strategically, before proceeding to the next most appropriate step. Not everything can be done at once, but progress often stimulates more progress. I would continue to ask for progress updates and expect further steps to be taken as guided by experts. A plan is well and good, but bold steps need to be taken. And then take another step.

And over time, as the plan is implemented, work to strengthen the plan so that it can be both responsive to new technology and bolder.

And during review of the corporate strategic plan I would advocate for moving climate action up the priority ladder.

During recovery after an emergency like a wildfire, flood or heat event, support and resources from all levels of government are lacking. What will you do to ensure that your constituents are supported during and after such an event?

Climate disasters should not be seen as surprise events. Given the predictability of climate disaster, support and resources from all levels of government should be coordinated and well thought out ahead of time. Constituents will be supported best when they know that the leaders are jointly following a prepared plan while remaining flexible enough to address the specificity of that particular disaster.

As a city councilor, I would know my role within the plan and reassure constituents that the plan is being followed. And if/when the plan fails to live up to required supports and resources, I would advocate for necessary shifts to navigate each particular scenario.

Compiled & presented by

Authorized by Shuswap Climate Action Society, registered sponsor under LECFA, info@shuswapclimate.org

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

Home About Why Contact Privacy Policy