Michael Tay
"We need to accept that our climate is changing and plan accordingly. Extreme heat, major storms, flooding and wildfire smoke can no longer be treated as events that happen only once in a generation. Climate adaptation needs to become part of how we plan City infrastructure and services.
I support stronger stormwater and drainage infrastructure, measures to reduce basement and neighbourhood flooding, more trees and shade, accessible cooling spaces, and stronger emergency planning for storms, power outages, extreme heat and poor air quality.
We also need to recognize that these events do not affect everyone equally. Someone living in a small apartment without air conditioning, a senior living alone, a person experiencing homelessness or someone with mobility limitations may face much greater risk.
Especially in the urban core, we need places where people can safely cool down during extreme heat. The City should also work with community organizations, housing providers and Ottawa Public Health to identify vulnerable communities before emergencies occur and make sure people know where they can get help."
Dillon Anderson
"Protecting Ottawa residents—particularly vulnerable populations such as seniors, low-income households, and unhoused individuals—from extreme weather requires moving away from reactive measures and committing to proactive, equity-centered municipal resilience planning. To safeguard our communities against floods, severe storms, wildfire smoke, and extreme heat, municipal action must focus on four core pillars:Expanding Accessible Cooling & Heat Relief: As extreme heat days increase, the City must expand public cooling networks by incorporating more shaded areas, cooling features, and accessible drinking water access points in public parks and community facilities. We need targeted outreach strategies for heat-vulnerable residents and social housing tenants before heat waves peak. Strengthening Flood Resilience & Infrastructure: To protect homes and neighborhoods from severe storms and heavy rainfall, we must prioritize rate-supported investments in basement flood prevention, storm-sewer capacity upgrades, and natural asset management (such as expanding our urban forest canopy and protecting absorbent green spaces).Clean Air & Emergency Response Refuges: During hazardous wildfire smoke events, the City must designate and clearly communicate a network of public clean-air shelters equipped with upgraded HVAC and filtration systems, ensuring safe havens are accessible to those without adequate indoor climate control.Community-Based Emergency Preparedness: Partnering with local community organizations and social service providers to establish localized support networks, ensuring that emergency alerts, mobile relief, and safe shelter options actively reach our most at-risk residents when severe weather strikes."
Nicholas Golle
"Ottawa has already adopted Climate Ready Ottawa to guide adaptation to flooding, extreme heat, severe weather, wildfire smoke and other climate risks. Importantly, the plan itself calls for climate considerations to be integrated into budgets, planning and corporate decision-making.
I support that approach. My role would be to make sure those commitments survive contact with the budget."
Ariel Troster
"Consider an infrastructure levy to speed up crucial repairs to stormwater infrastructure, push for more distribution of free air conditioners to low income residents, plant more trees in priority areas with a low tree equity index."