CEAC - Candidate Forum

Tonight the Cochrane Environmental Action Committee hosted a candidate forum and shared their video "When two worlds collide." 

Due to a work commitment at Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation I wasn't able to attend but I wanted to share the comments I'd prepared and shared with the organizers.  As is standard this year, candidates were given questions in advance to prepare for.  Here are my responses to two of the questions and I understand candidates had 5 minutes to respond.

Thanks CEAC for hosting this and sorry I couldn't attend.

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Question 2:

How do you plan on addressing the necessary infrastructure changes (for example, increased water license, re-negotiated sewage pipeline to Calgary, provision for transit, improved wetland and riparian land conservation and management to protect against flooding, etc.) that will be required to support Cochrane’s growing population in an environmentally responsible manners?

With a growth rate of 4% Cochrane is growing swiftly and not only are we facing pressing demands due to growth but there are also key infrastructure needs to be met for our existing residents and communities. 

Our water supply is a key issue that needs to be addressed.  This is not an environmental issue alone, as some may identify it, but a basic human need.  Cochrane’s existing water license and water plant have the capacity to provide for a population of between 30,000 – 35,000 people, depending on water conservation.   

But while that population in Cochrane is probably at least a decade out, we need to start planning for the future now.  One of the pathways of the Cochrane Sustainability Plan, is that “we treat water as a precious resource.”  This is very true in southern Alberta.  Not enough people in Cochrane or in Alberta, realize how little water we actually have available in southern Alberta to provide to our fast growing populations. 

Part of the solution for Cochrane’s water supply is to look at purchasing additional water licenses or to look at partnering with the region, through the Calgary Regional Partnership, to access a regional water system that would give us access to water though Calgary’s large water license. 

Finding more water is part of the solution, but we also need to find ways to reduce our water use.  Cochrane has taken steps in this direction through initiatives like water meters, low flow toilets and the turf buy-back program; a program that encourages replacing high water use lawns with naturescaping solutions.  This program may be the first in Canada and I was pleased to champion it.  We need to continue with initiatives like this to encourage water conservation, but I would also like to see us looking at other options like grey water use.  Like in so many things, Cochrane can be a leader in finding solutions.

Protecting wetlands and riparian areas, where we can in our urban situation, is also key to protecting our water supply and Cochrane’s new Wetland policy takes strong steps forward in finding ways to do this.  

Of course our infrastructure needs are more demanding as our population grows, but that is one of the reasons why I’m against urban sprawl.  Not only is urban sprawl bad for the environment, permanently removing green spaces, valuable agriculture and riparian lands, but it’s financially expensive to service and maintain.

As water needs, sewer and transportation issues become more pressing, I will continue to look for solutions that will protect our natural resources and limit our impact while ensuring  that we not only have the resources we need today, but in the future.

 

Question 3:

How will you promote and encourage youth involvement in the sustainable development of the Cochrane community?

I am a passionate advocate for greater community engagement for all of our citizens, including our youth.   Just because you’re not 18 or don’t pay taxes, doesn’t mean that there isn’t a role for you in Cochrane’s decision making.  Better decisions are made when the community is involved.  I see involvement in the sustainable development of Cochrane as the same as engagement in all our town policy making.

My own political involvement began as an 8 year old gathering signatures to save our local pool and I was fortunate in my mentors when I became involved in politics at the age of 17.   It’s this life-long belief in youth engagement and my desire to support youth as I was supported, that drove my involvement with the Youth Task Force.  There were strong recommendations that came from the youth – and this was a youth driven and youth led task force – but the one that will have the greatest impact led to the Mayor’s Youth Council.  This youth council, which has representatives from the schools and other youth, meets on a regular basis with the Mayor to share information.  I fully expect the next mayor to see the value in this!

As an organization, we need to continue to expand on our outreach initiatives and communicate with people where they’re at.  Whether that is on social media, at the dog park or at our recreation facilities.  To connect with the youth, we need to listen to them on how they want to be engaged with and follow their direction.

On a personal level, I’ll continue the work that I do, in making myself available to the schools for meetings with students and in taking seriously the interactions that I have with youth.  It’s a great reflection on Cochrane that we have 2 youth candidates involved in this election.