Ivan Otto
Council · Whistler
Whistler
About
I came to Whistler six years ago with two suitcases and a work permit. Today, I’m a proud Canadian citizen and call Whistler home. Six years of community work, combined with my PhD in logistics, shaped who I am and inspired me to run for Council.
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.
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.
~
Endorse the fossil fuel treaty and commit to phase out fossil fuels.
Neutral
✓
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
✓
Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater.
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.
✓
Implement zero waste bylaws to divert organic waste and recyclables from disposal.
Supportive
✓
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?
For the past six years, I have worked in Whistler’s social services, including food security and food recovery. Through this work, I have seen how much good food can be saved from waste and redirected to people in our community.
My background in logistics also makes me think about how we use resources, transportation and infrastructure more efficiently.
Personally, I believe climate action needs to be practical. It is not only about setting targets. It is about changing how we move, how we build, how we manage waste and how we prepare our community for a changing climate.
My background in logistics also makes me think about how we use resources, transportation and infrastructure more efficiently.
Personally, I believe climate action needs to be practical. It is not only about setting targets. It is about changing how we move, how we build, how we manage waste and how we prepare our community for a changing climate.
Questions for Whistler
What should Whistler's top priorities be over the next four years to prepare for climate-related risks such as extreme weather, wildfire impacts, and changing environmental conditions?
My first priority would be wildfire resilience. We live in a community surrounded by forest, and we need to continue fuel reduction, FireSmart programs, emergency planning and evacuation preparation.
We also need infrastructure that can handle extreme weather, including heavy rain, heat and changing winter conditions.
Finally, we need to improve transportation. Better public and regional transit can reduce the number of cars on the road while also giving residents and workers more transportation choices.
Climate preparation should not be treated as a separate issue. It should be considered in every major infrastructure and development decision.
We also need infrastructure that can handle extreme weather, including heavy rain, heat and changing winter conditions.
Finally, we need to improve transportation. Better public and regional transit can reduce the number of cars on the road while also giving residents and workers more transportation choices.
Climate preparation should not be treated as a separate issue. It should be considered in every major infrastructure and development decision.
How should the Resort Municipality of Whistler strengthen its partnerships with community organizations to advance environmental sustainability, climate action, and community resilience?
Whistler already has many organizations doing valuable work on sustainability, conservation, transportation, food recovery and community resilience.
RMOW does not need to do everything alone.
I would like to see regular communication between the municipality and community organizations, clear shared goals, and more opportunities to work together on projects.
The municipality should also listen to organizations that work directly with residents. They often see problems and opportunities before they appear in municipal reports.
Partnerships should be practical: share information, avoid duplicating work, find funding together and measure whether our projects are actually making a difference.
RMOW does not need to do everything alone.
I would like to see regular communication between the municipality and community organizations, clear shared goals, and more opportunities to work together on projects.
The municipality should also listen to organizations that work directly with residents. They often see problems and opportunities before they appear in municipal reports.
Partnerships should be practical: share information, avoid duplicating work, find funding together and measure whether our projects are actually making a difference.
What indicators should Council use to evaluate Whistler's success beyond economic growth and tourism, and how would those indicators influence your decision-making?
Success cannot be measured only by visitor numbers or economic growth.
I would also look at whether people who work in Whistler can afford to live here, housing availability, public transit use, community greenhouse gas emissions, waste reduction, wildfire preparedness, water quality and the health of our natural environment.
I would also pay attention to whether residents feel they can build a long-term life here.
These indicators should influence Council decisions. If economic growth is increasing while housing, infrastructure or our environment cannot keep up, that tells us we need to change our approach.
For me, a successful Whistler is not only a successful resort. It is also a healthy and sustainable community to call home.
I would also look at whether people who work in Whistler can afford to live here, housing availability, public transit use, community greenhouse gas emissions, waste reduction, wildfire preparedness, water quality and the health of our natural environment.
I would also pay attention to whether residents feel they can build a long-term life here.
These indicators should influence Council decisions. If economic growth is increasing while housing, infrastructure or our environment cannot keep up, that tells us we need to change our approach.
For me, a successful Whistler is not only a successful resort. It is also a healthy and sustainable community to call home.
Whistler's natural environment is central to its identity, economy, and quality of life. What actions would you prioritize to protect local ecosystems, biodiversity, and watershed health over the next four years?
Whistler’s natural environment is one of the main reasons people choose to live here and visit here. Protecting it needs to be part of every major development decision.
I would support protecting sensitive habitats, monitoring water quality, controlling invasive species and continuing responsible forest management.
I also believe development should be planned carefully around important ecosystems rather than trying to repair damage later.
We should use good science and local knowledge when making these decisions and continue working with environmental organizations and First Nations.
Protecting nature is not separate from protecting our community. Healthy forests, wetlands and watersheds also help us respond to wildfire, flooding and other climate risks.
I would support protecting sensitive habitats, monitoring water quality, controlling invasive species and continuing responsible forest management.
I also believe development should be planned carefully around important ecosystems rather than trying to repair damage later.
We should use good science and local knowledge when making these decisions and continue working with environmental organizations and First Nations.
Protecting nature is not separate from protecting our community. Healthy forests, wetlands and watersheds also help us respond to wildfire, flooding and other climate risks.
As Whistler continues to evolve, how would you balance growth and development with environmental protection and long-term climate goals?
I do not believe Whistler has to choose between development and environmental protection.
We need housing, especially for the people who work here. But new development also creates additional demand for transportation, water, infrastructure and community services.
Before approving major development, I want to understand those impacts and what will be done to address them.
I support responsible growth when it provides clear community benefits, respects our environmental goals and has infrastructure to support it.
I also believe new development should support Whistler’s climate goals through energy-efficient buildings, better access to transit and active transportation, and protection of important natural areas.
Growth should make Whistler a stronger community without sacrificing the environment that makes Whistler special.
We need housing, especially for the people who work here. But new development also creates additional demand for transportation, water, infrastructure and community services.
Before approving major development, I want to understand those impacts and what will be done to address them.
I support responsible growth when it provides clear community benefits, respects our environmental goals and has infrastructure to support it.
I also believe new development should support Whistler’s climate goals through energy-efficient buildings, better access to transit and active transportation, and protection of important natural areas.
Growth should make Whistler a stronger community without sacrificing the environment that makes Whistler special.
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.
© 2026 Vote4Tomorrow