Climate Readiness Pledge
Whitchurch-Stouffville
Ontario Municipal Election Candidates
Climate change is happening, and municipal governments have an essential role in:
Building community resilience — preparing residents, businesses, and infrastructure to withstand and adapt
to extreme climate events before they strike; and
Ensuring local self-sufficiency — strengthening natural areas, local food systems, and the local economy to
reduce climate vulnerability.
By endorsing this Climate Readiness Pledge I recognize the urgent risks posed by the climate crisis and pledge to advance the climate actions below as key municipal policy priorities for the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville. If elected I will move or support a Council motion to assign staff and financial resources within the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville to pursue the actions outlined in the Climate Readiness Pledge.
Predicted Climate Trends to 2050
This Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) 2026 report, forecasts a WARMER, WETTER, WILDER climate in York Region by 2050. As a society, we are beyond the tipping point and now must equally address and implement policies and programs to not only MITIGATE the worst effects of climate change by reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions but to prepare our community to ADAPT to these climate trends.
WARMER weather - more heat waves, extreme heat, & milder winters
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Increased heat stress, especially for vulnerable persons
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Disruption to services, activities, agriculture
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Impacts on ecological health and invasive species
WETTER weather - more rainfall, extreme storms & winter rain
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Increased flood risk
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Damage to built and natural infrastructure
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Disruption to services, activities, agriculture
WILDER weather - more intense storms, high winds, hail, ice
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Increased risk to community health and safety
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Damage to property and green infrastructure
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Disruption to essential services, including fire and EMS
THE CHALLENGE FOR WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE
Compared with other York Region municipalities, Whitchurch-Stouffville has a lower level of commitment to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Sustainable Stouffville assessed municipalities based on their existing programs, plans, and other available indicators.
Tier - Advanced
Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Newmarket, Aurora
Standalone Community Energy Plans; sector-specific greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction pathways; dedicated sustainability staff; active program delivery
Tier - Developing
King Township, East Gwillimbury, Georgina
Newly adopted or actively developing full Climate Action Plans; Climate Emergency declarations driving urgency
Tier - Emerging
Whitchurch-Stouffville
Primarily corporate focus; limited staff capacity; select sustainability initiatives
Sustainable Stouffville Climate Readiness Pledge
If elected to the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, the candidate pledges to:
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Prioritize community health and well being through engagement - Launch a holistic program to help the community (residents and businesses) to understand the bigger picture around climate change, connect the dots between the different types of adaptation and mitigation actions and guide the community to resources and funding opportunities, including the preparation of community-wide climate adaptation and mitigation plans. Build community disaster resilience.
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Build capacity in the community to prepare for and respond to more extreme events and long-term climate stresses. Invest in proactive measures to prepare for more extreme events and avoid reactive post-storm costs.
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Support residents in undertaking climate adaptation actions - Help residents undertake weather readiness assessments on their homes. Promote household preparedness and evacuation planning, encouraging property-level measures. Promote and augment existing programs for home and business climate resilience retrofit.
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Manage infrastructure to prepare for future climate conditions and carbon-neutral goals - Integrate climate risk assessments into all municipal planning, budgeting, and asset management. Ensure that all municipally owned assets are optimized for energy efficiency, including electrification of the municipal vehicle fleet. Retrofit critical public infrastructure to withstand future climate conditions.
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Value, conserve and enhance the multiple services that natural areas provide - Accelerate actions to increase tree canopy and access to green space. Protect and restore wetlands, forests, and riparian zones.
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Contribute to a strong local economy that prioritizes circularity - Support and develop resilient local supply chains to help withstand impacts associated with extreme climate events. Promote local sustainable businesses. Require commercial businesses to participate in the provincial Energy and Water Reporting & Benchmarking for Large Businesses. Facilitate active transportation shopping opportunities and infrastructure.
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Support locally grown food - Expand the opportunities to support local food production across the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville (such as community gardens, rooftop gardens, backyard gardening, etc.). Support the agricultural community in preparing for climate change.
Completed pledges can be submitted to Sustainable.Stouffville.info@gmail.com, and should be sent from the candidate's authorized email account. Sustainable Stouffville will recognize candidates who take the Climate Readiness Pledge on our website and social media accounts.