Amy Klassen

A lot of how I think about climate action comes from having lived outside Canada when I was younger. I spent about five years living in Europe and did not own or drive a car during that time. I know European cities are different from Vernon in many ways, but it was eye-opening to experience what good public transportation can make possible. Even in smaller or less wealthy places in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, I could usually get around easily and affordably by bus, train or boat.

Living in the Netherlands also showed me what communities designed around bicycles can look like when the infrastructure actually makes cycling practical and safe.

I also saw a very different attitude toward consumption. In places where people had less, things were repaired, reused and valued. Food was not casually wasted and people made much more use of what they already had.

Coming back to Canada was a bit of a reverse culture shock. It made me appreciate how fortunate we are, but also how much we sometimes take our resources for granted.

In my own life I try to lead by example by reducing waste, reusing what I can, gardening and being thoughtful about consumption. I have also advocated for better transit and active transportation, protecting our trees and natural areas, conserving water and planning responsibly for climate risks. I want us to use our resources wisely and be good stewards of our land and water for the generations that come after.

I think the urban containment boundary should generally be respected. I would only consider an exception if there was a clear public benefit, no reasonable option to build within the existing urban area, and we understood the full cost of roads, water, sewer and other services. I would also want to make sure we were not giving up important ecological or agricultural land unnecessarily.

A good local example is The Hub on 28th Avenue. It adds housing and commercial space downtown, close to existing services and infrastructure. I am less supportive of older development patterns, such as those along Highway 97 and 27th Street, that use a lot of land for parking and make people dependent on driving. As Vernon grows, I think we should make better use of the land and infrastructure we already have.

I think the most urgent priorities are preparing for what we are already experiencing: wildfire, extreme heat, drought and pressure on our water supply, while also continuing to reduce emissions.

The Climate Action Plan needs to be something we actually use. I would want clear priorities, timelines, costs and regular updates so we know what is working and what is not. Climate planning should also be part of decisions about roads, buildings, infrastructure and growth.

For the 2027 review, I want us to use the local information we are already collecting about drought, wildfire risk, transportation and our urban forest. Affordability also matters. We should focus on practical actions that save money or prevent bigger costs later. I would also use my knowledge of government to aggressively pursue provincial and federal funding so local taxpayers are not carrying the whole cost.

Yes, I support using public funds to help protect natural land when the environmental value is high and the purchase makes financial sense.

Natural areas are not just empty land waiting to be developed. Wetlands, creeks, forests and grasslands provide wildlife habitat, shade, cleaner water, stormwater management and places for people to enjoy.

We absolutely need more housing, but that does not mean we should automatically expand into environmentally important areas. I would first look at infill, redevelopment and land that is already within the urban area. If development on sensitive land was being considered, I would want good environmental information, a serious look at the alternatives and a clear understanding of the long-term costs and benefits before making that decision.

Water security is becoming more important, and this year's drought showed us why. It also showed that people in Greater Vernon can respond when needed. Residents, businesses and agricultural users worked hard to conserve water and meet the targets that were set.

I would prioritize protecting our watersheds, creeks, wetlands, groundwater and lakes. Our lakes are not only beautiful places that residents and visitors enjoy. They support fish and wildlife and are important sources of drinking and agricultural water.

I also think we need to take threats from pollution and invasive species very seriously. I would support stronger inspection and decontamination of high-risk watercraft coming into our region and advocate to the provincial and federal governments for stronger protections. I would also be willing to look at restrictions on motorized watercraft on particularly sensitive lakes, including whether electric, wind and human-powered watercraft would be more appropriate in some locations.

We should keep reducing water waste, repairing leaks, expanding reclaimed water where practical and using landscaping and irrigation that require less water. As Vernon grows, we need to make sure our water supply can support that growth and use what we learned from this drought to plan ahead.

I have not served on a formal climate advisory committee, so I do not want to overstate my experience. My connection to climate issues has mostly come through my work and everyday life.

I have worked in agriculture, reforestation, farming and agricultural consulting, where issues like drought, water availability, wildfire, soil health and changing growing conditions are very real. Those experiences gave me a practical appreciation for how closely our economy, food system and environment are connected.

In my community work and during this campaign, I have also spent a lot of time learning about Vernon's Climate Action Plan, water planning, urban forest, wildfire resilience and active transportation. I care strongly about protecting trees and natural areas, conserving water and making sure we plan for a changing climate.

Personally, I try to make practical choices where I can, and I believe individual action matters, but the biggest opportunities come from good community planning and infrastructure.

The risks that concern me most in Vernon are wildfire, drought, extreme heat and smoke, flooding, and threats to our water infrastructure.

We need to prepare before emergencies happen. That means continuing FireSmart work and wildfire mitigation, protecting and maintaining our water supply, planning infrastructure for drought and extreme weather, and making sure vulnerable residents have access to cool and clean-air spaces during heat and smoke events.

Building on my answer to Question 4, I am also very concerned about invasive mussels. If they become established here, they can damage our lakes and clog drinking-water and irrigation infrastructure. I would strongly advocate for prevention, including inspection and decontamination of high-risk watercraft, and I would be willing to look at stronger protections for particularly sensitive lakes.

Natural infrastructure matters too. Trees, wetlands and creeks help cool neighbourhoods, manage stormwater and reduce some of the impacts of extreme weather.

These projects can be expensive, so I would aggressively pursue provincial and federal funding to help Vernon prepare while reducing the burden on local taxpayers.