4. How would you protect Ottawans, especially our most vulnerable residents, from the effects of climate change and extreme weather events (flooding, storms, wildfire smoke, extreme heat, etc.)?

Peter J. Karwacki

"Encourage resilience and steps to mitigate the city's inability to act. People have to protect themselves and their homes."

Rawlson King

"Climate resilience is an equity issue. Extreme heat, flooding, wildfire smoke, and severe storms do not affect all residents equally. Lower-income residents, seniors, and people with disabilities are disproportionately at risk. My approach integrates climate resilience with equity policy.

I will advocate for urban tree canopy expansion as a frontline heat mitigation tool, accessible cooling centres for residents without transportation, stormwater improvements embedded in every infrastructure renewal project, and Neighbourhood Health and Wellness Hubs that serve residents who cannot easily access centralized services during emergencies. I supported the updated Idling Control By-law to reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality, recognizing that air quality is a direct health equity issue in communities adjacent to high-traffic corridors. Public health must be integrated into planning, zoning, and infrastructure decisions, not treated as a separate silo."