Caitlin Stockwell

I have been involved in climate/environmental advocacy since an early teenager. From school recycling programs and involvement in the Sierra Club local youth chapter, becoming a vegan at the age of 16 (vegetarian since 8), to fundraising for and securing solar panels for the roof of my high school in Victoria. I went to law school to be an environmental lawyer and articled with Uvic’s Environmental Law Clinic, where I helped provide pro bono legal services to community organizations and groups advancing environmental initiatives. I now work as a lawyer for Indigenous governments who are standing up for their lands and waters.

I am a current board director for the Wilderness Committee and for the past four years have been a supervising lawyer with ProBono Students Canada assisting projects providing public education on climate litigation developments. I am a cyclist commuter and for the vast majority of trips use active and sustainable transit for getting around the city (I have an evo membership but do not own a car).

I understand the influential role City’s can play in climate mitigation and resiliency - from waste, transit and land use planning decisions to building requirements (cooling, air quality) and adaptation strategies. I am running to make sure everyone has a place and a safe, sustainable future in Vancouver.

OneCity is committed to banning methane gas in new buildings. Methane gas in buildings is one of the main sources of CO2 pollution in Vancouver. Ken Sim and ABC stepped back on our climate policy by reversing the ban on gas hookups for new buildings. OneCity Council candidates are committed to reversing this decision and to restoring enforcement of the City’s Annual Greenhouse Gas and Energy Limits By-law for large existing buildings.

OneCity strongly believes that staff should have adequate resources and funding to advance the City’s climate objectives. We will restore funding for the climate and sustainability department. OneCity Council candidates are committed to restoring climate priorities and leadership at City Hall and will work with a progressive majority to implement a plan to improve climate action, building energy efficiency, and protection for the most vulnerable during heatwaves. This plan includes the installation of solar rooftops on public buildings, the facilitation of heat pump installation, and the renovation of 500 at-risk homes.

Yes. In the absence of an appropriate regulatory framework, OneCity supports a moratorium on new AI data centres in Vancouver.
Currently, we treat AI Data Centres much like traditional data servers from the past 30 years, but this approach fails to address the unique impacts these centres have on our communities. OneCity Councillor Lucy Maloney introduced the Addressing the Risks of AI Data Centres motion at Council to address this gap. Her motion, which was supported by all non-ABC councillors present, called for the development of an Impact Report before any rezoning or permitting, ensuring we understand the likely energy use, noise, waste, and employment compared to other land uses. It also called for assessment against the City’s climate targets, review of noise mitigation and ambient noise levels, and annual public disclosure of water and power consumption, as well as noise levels. Unsurprisingly, Ken Sim and the ABC majority voted down Councillor Maloney’s motion.

Vancouver needs to accommodate population growth, and we need to do it in a way that makes neighbourhoods more affordable, complete and resilient to climate change. That means allowing more housing in more parts of the city. OneCity has proposed solutions, including smaller lots, reduced setbacks, more four-storey buildings, single-stair buildings and more opportunities for shops and services within neighbourhoods.
The goal is not only to create more homes, but create communities where more people can live close to the things they need everyday - groceries, childcare, schools, parks, local businesses and community services - and have more choices to walk, cycle or take transit instead of relying on a car for every trip.

OneCity candidates are committed to advancing Vancouver's climate preparedness. With indoor temperatures exceeding safety limits even outside of heatwaves, and urban heat accumulating rapidly throughout the summer, the City must provide safe cooling spaces. Councillor Lucy Maloney introduced several motions to improve access to clean air and cooling spaces during the summer months, including through temperature-controlled transit.
Ken Sim and the ABC majority voted down this motion, as well as Councillor Maloney’s proposal to install temporary street canopies to protect residents and unhoused people from dangerous urban heat.
OneCity candidates are committed to reintroducing these motions, expanding the City’s tree canopy coverage, improving energy resilience, and providing cooling kits and other supports to unhoused people during heat waves.