Questions and Answers
1. Does the City/Region need more regulations for new and future businesses to protect groundwater?
Lynne Woolstencroft: Yes. Although Waterloo Region is seen as a leader in the country on water issues, we must be vigilant. Regulations are difficult to create and more difficult to enforce. However, we must look to a sustainable development policy (maybe implement a sustainable growth index) that centres on groundwater and surface water supplies; air quality; and renewed soils. In the Netherlands, strict policies are in place. I purchased a book (Planning on Principle) that describes in detail how the Netherlands leads Europe in the protection of fresh water supplies. We must, once again, establish - at the Region if possible, but certainly at the City if necessary - a Roundtable on Environmental Practices and one task force should concentrate on protection of groundwater. Out of solid thinking will come strong policy and clear regulations. Like the Laurel Creek Watershed process, it may take a number of months. I aim to move toward better regulation.
2. Do you support a bylaw restricting the non-essential, cosmetic use of pesticides (for lawn and garden care)?
Lynne Woolstencroft: Yes. The difficulties occurring in Hudson, Quebec revolve around enforcement. People do defy the by-law. They wish to use pesticides, herbicides, and some forms of fertilizer (polluting surface water with nitrogen and causing the waterways to be infested with out-of-control algae and plant life). They defy regulations and by-laws - even resorting to night-time application. The only laws that have been upheld demonstrated that the by-law enforcement officer "caught" the person in the midst of application, like the police do speeders. That is difficult in the early morning hours or the middle of the night.
3. The issue of a new Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph is still simmering. What is your preferred solution? (ie leave existing road as is? widen existing highway? put in commuter train between K/W and Guelph? build new highway, etc.)
Lynne Woolstencroft: My preferred solution was rejected by the MTO and Regional Council. I supported the Golubov proposal. Dr Jordan Golubov was a tremendous asset to our City of Waterloo Environmental Advisory Committee (WEAC). He conducted reliable research and devoted himself to a proposal that would have seen selective widening of the present Highway 7 roadway, adding bike lanes and increasing buses between Kitchener and Guelph. Jordan's work, in fact, greatly influenced the way the road design has occurred, avoiding the vast majority of wetlands and using the best advice on how to mitigate damage to the rest of the wetlands. I still work with a mayors' caucus and Transportation Minister Collenette to have better train service (I prefer starting at 6 am and ending at 11 pm.) I support the local transit (GRT) having inter-city buses and continue to work toward the goal of an inter-city bus service. (It is incredibly complicated - two public bus services, 3 different local governments [Guelph, Wellington, and the Region of Waterloo], plus Ontario government approvals to use provincial highways…) In other communities and countries, they have small and big inter-city buses, plus high speed trains that move people about very efficiently but not inexpensively. Finally, I would prefer bike lanes be separated from the existing highway by some kind of buffer. Summary: I support 1. selective widening of the present highway 7. 2. adding bike lanes, but separating them from the highway 3. increasing bus service between the 2 cities (commuter buses, like Mississauga and Oakville to Toronto) 4. increasing the frequency of train service
4. What are your recommendations for alternate transportation (ie bike/hike trails, buses, LRT, GO train)
Lynne Woolstencroft: All of the above, but in priority. For many years, I have used the public transit system as a means to get around the Twin Cities and to Cambridge. It takes planning, but the environmentally responsible groups advise that one trip per week per person takes tonnes of carbon out of the air. I have heeded that assessment and try to take the bus at least once a week. I support in order: bike/hike trails - as is evidenced in my support of all trailways in the city of Waterloo and the Region. I do wish that some of them could be left more natural - as in A Pattern Language, the famous book by Alexander. I believe that urban human beings need natural settings more than ever! intensified public transit. I am working on behalf of my community on public transit, encouraging public consultation and a variety of bus types (vans and small buses plus the regular ones) to encourage a public transit mentality. In our region, bus travel is the least preferred option by many. It is important for the Mayor to set an example to the community. No-stop commuter trains (not just GO) to take us to Windsor and Toronto and beyond, with some high speed, some stopping at platforms on the way. In Europe, although it appears complex, once you get the hang of the train timetables, the exact kind of train you take can make commuting VERY efficient and even enjoyable. I actively work on the issues immediately above. I have successfully urged regional council to add a connector van/bus from Conestoga Mall to RIM Park because so many people have become vehicle dependent to use the park. [There needs to be much more public discussion about that bus route!] I supported the express bus between Conestoga Mall and Fairway. I serve on the Mayors' Caucus to improve train travel in southwestern Ontario. I have had a number of meetings with the Federal Minister of Transport, both alone and in groups of mayors and other MPs.
5. What are your solutions for gridlock?
Lynne Woolstencroft: There are many initiatives. These are mine · improved public transit and alternative transportation (bikes, blades) · locally, create a road system that allows Waterloo residents to move from the west end to east end without travelling through the core (Westmount Road extension, Northfield improvements, and Ira Needles Boulevard) · roundabouts that keep traffic moving (slowly but moving) instead of traffic lights that cause stop and go · better co-ordination of lights along major routes through the cities · co-ordinated road construction projects planned between the cities and planned with the region … and longer summers! Gridlock has become a significant issue on our highways, ring roads, arterials, and collector roads. That gridlock creates problems not just for commuters and travellers, but for air quality and in wasted time. We must petition the Province to give us another exit off the 401, perhaps at Trussler Road. One "off" sideroad could serve many local exits. That exit would "attract off" the west-side traffic from the 401. Thus, those travellers would not have to come through the cities on streets like King, Westmount, and Fischer-Hallman. Finally, relief may occur when the Ira Needles Boulevard and the Westmount Road extension are completed.
6. Do you support defining an urban border that puts an end to urban sprawl to protect farmland and natural areas?
Lynne Woolstencroft: Yes - most emphatically yes. I served on a committee in the mid-1980s that recommended just that. We should be able to emulate Portland, Oregon without the concomitant despoiling of surrounding areas because we also have regional control.
7. Do you believe that our size should be limited to our carrying capacity (ie groundwater resources, geographical barriers, impact on natural environment)
Lynne Woolstencroft: Yes - emphatically yes. If you check my record, I have advocated at three levels of local government - school board, city council, and region - and at the GRCA for exactly that kind of non-intrusive development. I am fierce about groundwater resources and natural environment. I am uncertain what you mean by "geographical barriers". There are already tools - sustainable growth index - available.
8. What measurable initiatives can you take to improve air quality locally?
Lynne Woolstencroft: The City of Waterloo has embraced numerous air quality protection practices: on air alert days - our employees and contractors are forbidden to lay asphalt, idle vehicles, run gasoline-powered appliances and lawn mowers. Waterloo plants trees - The Urban Reforestation Project - with our own plans. We also integrate initiatives with the 10000 Trees Project. The Rotary Clubs of Waterloo, and continue to work with Union Gas. We have "car pool" and "commuter challenge" prizes. There is a great deal of room to improve. It is time to give employees some kind of employer-subsidized bus passes if employees routinely travel to work by public transit. People who walk, ride bikes, or roller blade to work should be acknowledged as "clean air" champions. I would like to refer the potential for cash incentives for NOT using a vehicle or a parking spot … I'd request that WEAC consider this issue and ask them to make a recommendation to council. There is a programme that measures the impact of a vehicle on air quality. The person who purchases a vehicle can be told how many trees it would take to clean the air - measurable - and the figure seems to be 13 trees for each vehicle. So the purchaser (and I propose the seller) gives a donation to the local government department. 13 trees are planted to offset the environmental impact.
9. How do you envision reaching zero waste?
Lynne Woolstencroft: The Zero Waste Alliance has many suggestions, individual, corporate, and governmnetal . Things like avoid packaging, use products with the least toxic potential (like used oil and rechargeable batteries). New Zealand is a leader in this philosophy: a concrete and measurable goal of no waste. Zero Waste is predicated on the reality that all landfill liners fail and the failure contaminates soil and water. New Zealand, the only country to adopt this philosophy of zero waste management, has set a date of 2020 to reach the goal of no waste. The most straightforward practices guide the goal: we have the means to recycle EVERYTHING. We need the political will. As a pioneer of Waterloo's blue box city-wide programme, I see the incremental growth of our blue box recycling and re-use in just 15 years. We could redouble our efforts within the next 5 years. Emerging countries often need what we routinely throw away. I think we should initiate a more aggressive plan with NGOs to help us distribute our cast-offs. New Zealand has a two-pronged approach: 1. National and 2. Local. The plan addresses everything and everyone from concept to manufacture and consume to wear out and dispose. The Zero Waste website is a source of information and an inspiration. I want WEAC for the City of Waterloo and our Environmental co-ordinators to examine the concept and report back to council and the community.
10. How do you see the City/Region 20 years from now?
Lynne Woolstencroft: In 20 years, the region will be home to nearly 1 million people and the City of Waterloo will house about 150, 000. I foresee vibrant urban areas ringed by farms and forests. I believe we will have one of the best urban reforestation communities in the world. The interconnectedness of our greater community is the envy of the world: walking trails and bike paths, scenic roads and large tracts of naturalized seemingly rural parks break up an intensely urbanized environment. I DO NOT want a pipeline to any of the Great Lakes. We can learn to sustain our dense population within our own water supply system. We must pioneer North American grey water use and try to work with Mother Nature to filter naturally. There are some wonderful European appliances that diminish individual use of water. We will have to change our lawn-and garden-watering practices, our shower and bath habits, our toilets and car washes, our desire for pristine water everywhere. The core of the city of Waterloo has a lively atmosphere - and the small trees planted in the last few years have become the urban canopy we had hoped for. I see clean water in our creeks and streams. The promenade between the universities and the core is well-travelled. The City of Waterloo continues to be an economic and social engine for the entire country. The clusters of knowledge that exemplify the two universities' and the college's impact on our community are appreciated and acknowledged. The Research and Technology Park is a source of great pride. Mennonites in their buggies will still remind us of a lifestyle nearly gone from the earth. Most of all, I see a multicultural community that welcomes and embraces our diversity: a clean, safe, secure region; an economically important player in the knowledge economy filled with symbiotic relationships and partnerships.
11. Should Cambridge fit into the Region's future? If yes, how?
Lynne Woolstencroft: Yes. Cambridge is more and more an outstanding contributor to the region. It certainly houses one of the largest employers, Toyota, and people who work there come from all parts of our region and beyond. Waterloo and Cambridge are working with the Regional Library system to create a "universal" library card - so that the holdings and specialties in each library will be available to all library users throughout the two cities and the four rural communities. One card, all those assets! We must continue to support the integration of the Cambridge Memorial Hospital into our hospital network. The Arts and Cultural communities are most supportive of each other. Like Waterloo, Cambridge has a long tradition of artistic expression. We must allow for differences of style and substance. In Silicon Valley, dozens of municipalities work synergistically to create economic prosperity and lifestyle choices. In many ways, we are working with a problem of perception. Cambridge has historically felt overlooked, but I believe they are taking an assertive place in our over-all community. Cambridge is certainly an architectural jewel in our region. And, the new school of Architecture's move to Cambridge will enhance the flow between our communities north to south. Our larger community must be living proof of "roots and wings" philosophy. If we honour roots, we will have wings to soar - creatively, imaginatively. We must continue to welcome and pay attention to Cambridge. Balance perception with reality.
12. How do you propose to obtain the maximum level of forest coverage for this area?
Lynne Woolstencroft: The Grand River Conservation Authority has an aggressive programme to reforest the entire Grand River Watershed. The GRCA indigenous tree nursery in Burford is an outstanding place to purchase trees that belong in our watershed. I think it is important to integrate our various programmes. The City of Waterloo has many partnerships that encourage various private enterprise groups, clubs, and foundations to help with our aggressive efforts to increase our canopy.
13. How can you best work with community groups and concerned citizens to achieve environmental sustainability?
Lynne Woolstencroft: There are many ways for the community to open discussions with the council(s) and many ways for the council(s) to open discussion with the community. The most common tool is the town hall; a second, more complex one is the roundtable. That would be the way I would like progress. Roundtables include members of the "stakeholder" groups and everyone should be working toward sustainability. I still believe that the best process occurs at the local level. There are many models of environmental sustainability. If people want a forum to discuss sustainability, there are many choices. I prefer ones that result in clear policy and actions. I provide outlines of ones that I have worked with, but am open to suggestion. a) In Waterloo, one example of local government responding to community concerns occurred with the recent neighbourhood association revitalization project. It has come about as the result of discussions with groups and individuals - not only in the council chambers but in city facilities, coffee shops, back yards, and living rooms. I like the idea of an informal meeting (as opposed to a Town Hall where there is usually one burning issue) in relaxed circumstances where people can exchange information respectfully and knowledgeably. The key to working with community groups and concerned citizens is to provide productive avenues for suggestion and discussion. Another example in Waterloo was the Recycling Committee. We had many methods to exchange and increase information: Informal Discussions and Individual Education · In informal groups - where we often simply talked and made notes · At mall and shop locations, where we set up information booths · Study groups with WPIRG Formal Discussion and Presentations · At the committee level - with monthly meetings and minutes Lynne Woolstencroft (continued) · At the task force level - again with monthly (or more frequent) meetings and minutes · To council, where we made formal presentations and often held press conferences PRIOR to the report, so that the journalists had an opportunity to understand our goals · Presentations - to charitable organizations, church groups, and clubs; and in elementary and high school, college and university classes. One significant difficulty has occurred in our political landscape recently. The level of anger and the intolerance of the exchange of ideas between citizens and their elected representatives, the lack of belief in idealism, is alarming. All I can do is recommit myself publicly to the ideal of open communication. I have an open door policy. Citizens know they can see me or communicate with me within a few hours. Instant communication is impossible unless there is a grave or life-threatening circumstance.
14. How would you support and develop lifelong environmental education in the City/Region?