Diane Fownes

Council · View Royal

Near fire hall 22 yrs

About

I have lived in View Royal for over 20 years and hope to remain here in retirement. I care about our community, green spaces and thoughtful development that is supported by the services and infrastructure people need.

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.

✓ 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. 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.

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

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

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

✓ 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

✓ 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?

I have not been involved in climate advocacy or formal volunteer work. My contribution has mainly been through the choices I make in my own home and daily life.

I have taken advantage of some government initiatives, including a Green Homes assessment and having insulation blown into my home. I recently replaced windows and I recycle, return bottles, reuse items when possible and try to choose glass rather than plastic.For my campaign, I chose not to use plastic signs because I did not want to create more unnecessary waste.

I think small actions matter- if everyone does small things collectively bigger changes can I will take a stand if elected in protecting green space, planning development responsibly and finding ways to support community members reduce carbon use

Questions for View Royal

What would you do to alleviate the traffic congestion throughout View Royal?

Traffic is a huge problem in View Royal, and we need to be realistic about what a municipality can and cannot do on its own. We cannot undo development that has already occurred but we have to find ways to reduce the current problem and not make it worse by the new decisions we make.

If we want people to use their cars less, the alternatives have to be practical. That means advocating for transit that is frequent, reliable, convenient and affordable, especially on the routes people use to get to work, school, shopping and health services. View Royal should work with neighbouring municipalities and BC Transit because traffic does not stop at municipal borders.

I would also explore practical options such as carpool programs, shared electric bikes at key transit stops, shopping areas and community facilities near homes so people can walk to the store not drive.

Most importantly, future development needs to include traffic planning, adequate parking, safe crossings and the infrastructure needed before projects are approved. Developers need to provide clear plans and commit to community contributions.

Have you actively participated in any of the Town's surveys, workshops, etc on the OCP, the Urban Forest Strategy, Climate Action Plan, Active Transportation Plan, Strategic Plan? How important are these subjects to you?

I have participated in Town surveys and have read the Official Community Plan. These subjects are important because they guide how View Royal grows, protects green space, manages traffic and considers what we need to do to have a health future. . I agree with many parts of the plans, although I also have questions and do not support every proposed approach. I believe development needs to be much more thoughtful than what i currently see.

To what degree would you support the recovery of climate-change-related costs from polluters, to lessen the related burden on View Royal taxpayers?

I support the principle that major polluters should be accountable for the costs their emissions create, rather than placing those costs entirely on local taxpayers. I would support View Royal identifying and reporting climate-related risks and costs so residents understand the financial impact. All new construction should be expected to be using the most environmentally friendly material available. However, I would need to understand more about what Legal limits or abilities the Town has, any cost associated and make sure I have adequately researched the topic prior to committing.

Compiled & presented by

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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