Stephen Hammond
Council · Victoria
Rockland 21 yrs
About
Stephen is a lawyer by trade & a professional speaker. On council, he's been an advocate for responsible city spending, safer streets, reasonable development & renter protection. He and his partner, Jack Boomer have been married for 19 years.
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.
✓
Implement a 'right to cool' bylaw to protect tenants during extreme heat events.
Supportive
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.
×
Pursue available legal options to recover a fair share of the climate costs facing our community from fossil fuel companies and other big polluters.
Opposed
✓
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.
✓
Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater.
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
Transport
Connecting neighbourhoods through public transit and active transportation networks will cut pollution, improve public health, and make our communities more affordable (and fun!).
✓
Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities.
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.
✓
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.
✓
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?
For me, climate action is about practical choices that make the city healthier, safer, and more livable.
As a councillor, I support actions that reduce emissions and also help people in their daily lives: protecting and adding to the city’s tree canopy, creating more shade, improving stormwater systems, preparing for extreme heat and wildfire smoke, and making City buildings more energy-efficient.
I also believe good planning matters. A city with walkable neighbourhoods, local shops, better transit options, and more housing in the right places can help people rely less on cars while still keeping Victoria accessible. I also support more electric car charging stations.
Personally, I try to make sensible choices where I can: while my partner and I have one car (in total), we always get the ICBC discount for low annual mileage. We cycle almost everywhere (because we can). We also installed two heat pumps and as many solar panels as our roof allows.
As a councillor, I support actions that reduce emissions and also help people in their daily lives: protecting and adding to the city’s tree canopy, creating more shade, improving stormwater systems, preparing for extreme heat and wildfire smoke, and making City buildings more energy-efficient.
I also believe good planning matters. A city with walkable neighbourhoods, local shops, better transit options, and more housing in the right places can help people rely less on cars while still keeping Victoria accessible. I also support more electric car charging stations.
Personally, I try to make sensible choices where I can: while my partner and I have one car (in total), we always get the ICBC discount for low annual mileage. We cycle almost everywhere (because we can). We also installed two heat pumps and as many solar panels as our roof allows.
Questions for Victoria
What are Victoria’s three most important environmental priorities for the next four years? What policies and budgets would you advance, and how would you respond when environmental protection is presented as conflicting with housing or economic growth?
Victoria’s three most important environmental priorities are climate resilience, protecting natural infrastructure, and making growth more sustainable.
First, we need practical climate action that reduces emissions and prepares the city for heat, smoke, heavy rain, and other climate impacts. That means investing wisely in City buildings, infrastructure, shade, stormwater systems, and emergency preparedness.
Second, we need to treat trees, parks, waterways, and green space as core infrastructure. They cool neighbourhoods, manage rainwater, support biodiversity, and make the city healthier and more livable.
Third, we need growth that is better planned. More housing is needed, but it should be built in ways that support walkable neighbourhoods, transit, local businesses, and access to daily needs.
I do not see environmental protection, housing, and economic prosperity as automatic opposites. The real question is whether we plan well. Good planning can add housing, support local business, protect green space, and make Victoria more resilient.
First, we need practical climate action that reduces emissions and prepares the city for heat, smoke, heavy rain, and other climate impacts. That means investing wisely in City buildings, infrastructure, shade, stormwater systems, and emergency preparedness.
Second, we need to treat trees, parks, waterways, and green space as core infrastructure. They cool neighbourhoods, manage rainwater, support biodiversity, and make the city healthier and more livable.
Third, we need growth that is better planned. More housing is needed, but it should be built in ways that support walkable neighbourhoods, transit, local businesses, and access to daily needs.
I do not see environmental protection, housing, and economic prosperity as automatic opposites. The real question is whether we plan well. Good planning can add housing, support local business, protect green space, and make Victoria more resilient.
What policies and investments would you prioritize for the next heat dome to retain mature shade trees, expand canopy in heat-vulnerable neighbourhoods, improve public cooling and drinking-water access, and ensure all at-risk residents receive protection?
I would prioritize three things: protecting mature shade trees, expanding canopy in hotter neighbourhoods, and making sure people have safe places to cool down before the next emergency.
That means enforcing and improving tree protection, planting more trees where canopy is low, and choosing species that can survive a hotter climate. I would also support more shade, drinking-water access, misting stations, and cooling spaces in libraries, community centres, parks, and other public places.
For at-risk residents, including seniors, renters, people without air conditioning, and unhoused residents, the City should work with community partners before heat events happen. That includes clear public information, wellness checks where possible, and making sure people know where to go.
This is practical climate adaptation. It protects health, improves neighbourhoods, and makes Victoria more livable.
That means enforcing and improving tree protection, planting more trees where canopy is low, and choosing species that can survive a hotter climate. I would also support more shade, drinking-water access, misting stations, and cooling spaces in libraries, community centres, parks, and other public places.
For at-risk residents, including seniors, renters, people without air conditioning, and unhoused residents, the City should work with community partners before heat events happen. That includes clear public information, wellness checks where possible, and making sure people know where to go.
This is practical climate adaptation. It protects health, improves neighbourhoods, and makes Victoria more livable.
What changes to bylaws, development standards and approvals would you support to retain mature trees, Garry oak ecosystems, wildlife corridors, adequate soil and permeable ground to measure and enforce progress toward the 40% canopy target?
I would support practical changes to bylaws, development standards, and approvals so mature trees and natural areas are built into projects from the beginning.
For larger projects, the City should require early mapping of mature trees, Garry oak ecosystems, root protection areas, soil depth, permeable ground, and possible wildlife connections before final decisions are made about siting, massing, and parking.
I would also support stronger replacement and survival requirements, better enforcement when protected trees are damaged, and annual public reporting on progress toward the 40% canopy target. It is not enough to count trees planted; we need to know whether trees are surviving and whether canopy is actually increasing.
More housing and better tree protection should not be treated as opposing interests. With better planning, we can add homes while also protecting the natural infrastructure that keeps neighbourhoods cooler, healthier, and more livable.
For larger projects, the City should require early mapping of mature trees, Garry oak ecosystems, root protection areas, soil depth, permeable ground, and possible wildlife connections before final decisions are made about siting, massing, and parking.
I would also support stronger replacement and survival requirements, better enforcement when protected trees are damaged, and annual public reporting on progress toward the 40% canopy target. It is not enough to count trees planted; we need to know whether trees are surviving and whether canopy is actually increasing.
More housing and better tree protection should not be treated as opposing interests. With better planning, we can add homes while also protecting the natural infrastructure that keeps neighbourhoods cooler, healthier, and more livable.
Which municipal actions would you prioritize to close Victoria’s 2030 emissions gap? What improvements would you require or incentivize, how would you make them affordable and accessible, and what measurable results would you deliver during your term?
I would focus on the areas where the City can make the biggest practical difference: buildings, transportation, waste, and City operations.
For buildings, a big difference is the replacement of the Crystal Pool as the city's largest emitter of GHGs. Going forward I would support affordable retrofit programs for older homes and rental buildings, including better insulation, heat pumps, and energy upgrades, while working with senior governments so costs are not simply pushed onto renters or homeowners. At the moment, a pilot program is taking place hoping for better results. For new development, I support clear low-carbon building standards that are predictable and practical.
For transportation, I support walkable neighbourhoods, better transit connections, safe cycling routes, and electric vehicle charging, while keeping Victoria accessible for people and businesses.
For waste, I support better food-waste diversion, composting, and circular-economy work with the CRD.
I would also require public reporting each year, including emissions from City operations, retrofit progress, waste diversion, transportation trends, and whether policies are actually reducing emissions.
For buildings, a big difference is the replacement of the Crystal Pool as the city's largest emitter of GHGs. Going forward I would support affordable retrofit programs for older homes and rental buildings, including better insulation, heat pumps, and energy upgrades, while working with senior governments so costs are not simply pushed onto renters or homeowners. At the moment, a pilot program is taking place hoping for better results. For new development, I support clear low-carbon building standards that are predictable and practical.
For transportation, I support walkable neighbourhoods, better transit connections, safe cycling routes, and electric vehicle charging, while keeping Victoria accessible for people and businesses.
For waste, I support better food-waste diversion, composting, and circular-economy work with the CRD.
I would also require public reporting each year, including emissions from City operations, retrofit progress, waste diversion, transportation trends, and whether policies are actually reducing emissions.
Campaign contributions
Public records from Elections BC — 66 contributions totalling $22,475.00.
2022 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS
56 contributions · $18,225.00
| Contributor | Date | Amount | Office | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN ABERCROMBIE | Aug 29, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JASON AUSTIN | Aug 9, 2022 | $200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GLORIA BACK | Aug 17, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| PAUL BARRON | Aug 31, 2022 | $400.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MARJORY BENSON | Sep 7, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DAVID BILTEK | Jul 5, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ROSS BORLAND | Sep 20, 2022 | $1,250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| LORY BRICK | Sep 29, 2022 | $750.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ALEXANDER BURKE | Jul 15, 2022 | $200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| CHARIS BURKE | Jul 15, 2022 | $200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| PHIL CALVERT | Sep 22, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| SARA COBURN | Aug 16, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JANE COWELL | Sep 7, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| TERRY COYLER | Sep 1, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JEAN CREASE | Sep 1, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MARK GREY DREAPER | Sep 20, 2022 | $1,200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JOHN FORSDICK | Sep 27, 2022 | $150.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JOHN FORSDICK | Sep 12, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| J MARK GITTENS | Aug 31, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DAVE GRAMLICK | Jul 13, 2022 | $1,000.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| HILARY GROOS | Aug 29, 2022 | $150.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MERRY HALLSOR | Jul 5, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| SHARON HAMMOND | Jul 20, 2022 | $1,250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ROSAMUND HARCOURT | Sep 9, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| BRIAN HAWKSWORTH | Sep 21, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| BILL HEADEN | Jul 15, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DAVID HELM | Jul 27, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| LISA HILL | Sep 8, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| PATRICK HUNT | Oct 2, 2022 | $125.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| RITA ISAAC | Sep 7, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| PETER JANDO | Sep 17, 2022 | $1,250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DORIS JOHNSTON | Sep 7, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| WILLIAM JOHNSTON | Sep 6, 2022 | $200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| VIRENDA JOSHI | Sep 26, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JOHN DEBORAH KIRK | Aug 3, 2022 | $200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MICHAEL KYNASTON | Sep 20, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JAMES LAING | Sep 20, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DWAYNE LESKOVITCH | Jun 18, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| NORMAN LOUIE | Aug 31, 2022 | $200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| REGINA MCCULLOCH | Aug 14, 2022 | $200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ALAN MCNABB | Aug 3, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| RICHARD C MEAGHER | Sep 8, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GARY MITCHELL | Sep 20, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| GARY POONI | Oct 13, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| LANA QUINN | Sep 13, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| NANCY RING | Sep 20, 2022 | $1,250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MARK ROOZENDAAL | Aug 29, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| MARK SALTON | Oct 3, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ERICKSON STONE | Aug 10, 2022 | $500.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| DOUG THOMPSON | Aug 16, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| PETER TOMLINSON | Sep 2, 2022 | $250.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JIM TURK | Jun 18, 2022 | $200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| ALAN TYNAN | Aug 29, 2022 | $200.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| JAN WHITE | Sep 23, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| BARRY WILLIMOTT | Sep 9, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
| IRENE ZAFFARONI | Sep 20, 2022 | $100.00 | COUNCILLOR | VICTORIA |
2018 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS
10 contributions · $4,250.00
| Contributor | Date | Amount | Office | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JANE BURNS | Aug 31, 2018 | $100.00 | MAYOR | VICTORIA |
| MATT EIDE | Sep 28, 2018 | $1,200.00 | MAYOR | VICTORIA |
| JOSEPH GERELUK | Sep 19, 2018 | $250.00 | MAYOR | VICTORIA |
| DAVID GRAMLICH | Oct 4, 2018 | $500.00 | MAYOR | VICTORIA |
| ISABELLA GUDGEON | Oct 17, 2018 | $500.00 | MAYOR | VICTORIA |
| ROSAMUND HARCOURT | Oct 15, 2018 | $1,000.00 | MAYOR | VICTORIA |
| DAVID HOWE | Oct 5, 2018 | $300.00 | MAYOR | VICTORIA |
| MARK SALTON | Sep 28, 2018 | $100.00 | MAYOR | VICTORIA |
| MARY ELLEN TURPEL-LAFOND | Oct 16, 2018 | $200.00 | MAYOR | VICTORIA |
| BRENDA YOUNG | Sep 26, 2018 | $100.00 | MAYOR | VICTORIA |
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