Comox Valley Regional District and K’ómoks First Nation
Indigenous Witnessing in Practice: Reframing Coastal Resilience through K’ómoks Leadership

Comox Valley Regional District started developing a Coastal Flood Adaptation Strategy in 2019 to strengthen long-term resilience to sea level rise and coastal flooding. Their thoughtful approach to the project has also strengthened relationships with partners and brought far-reaching benefits to many areas of the community.

Building on earlier flood hazard mapping and risk assessments, the project brought together K’ómoks First Nation, local governments, provincial agencies, farmers, environmental organizations, and other regional partners to evaluate adaptation options, understand trade-offs, and develop a shared framework for action.

A defining feature of the project has been its culturally centred engagement process, which incorporated Indigenous witnessing to foster accountability, cultural safety, and respectful collaboration.

Judges’ comments:

“This project followed a highly collaborative process that was impressive in how it integrated Indigenous world views.

“This transformative way of working is very replicable to other communities and brings multiple co-benefits to every member of the partnership.”

Kitasoo Xai'xais Nation
Heat Pumps and Climate Planning

Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation is located in the remote, off-grid coastal community of Klemtu and has a vision of becoming the greenest community on BC’s central coast.

Heat pumps have replaced fossil fuel heating in 106 of the community’s 129 buildings since 2021, including 95 homes and 11 community spaces. The new heat pumps are powered by a local hydro plant that is owned by community itself, which means the cost of electricity can be kept low and the revenue from powering members’ homes stays local.

Judges’ comments:

“This is a powerful example of what can be done in small community when you have passion - you can be ambitious and nimble and really mobilize. There are real, immediate savings for members, and a long-term benefit to the community’s energy security.”

City of New Westminster
Citywide Response to Extreme Heat

Following the 2021 heat dome that claimed 619 lives in BC, the City of New Westminster launched a coordinated, cross-departmental initiative that has shifted its extreme heat response to focus on proactive, community-wide resilience.

New Westminster became the first city in Canada to adopt bylaws prohibiting landlords from restricting cooling equipment (2025) and requiring at least one safe overnight living space in occupied rental units (2026).

Judges’ comments:

“These measures will save lives. This is an incredibly comprehensive response that sends a strong signal to the community that addressing the impact of extreme heat is a priority for the City and that there are clear, practical ways protect residents.”

City of Vernon and City of Kelowna
Climate Action Ripple Effect (CARE) program

The Climate Action Ripple Effect (CARE) program empowers Grade 5-12 students across Vernon and Central Okanagan schools by matching them with real, community-based projects supported by mentors from multiple sectors, including the City of Vernon and City of Kelowna.

Students have the opportunity to learn, to apply that learning through tangible action, connect with community partners, and then share their work publicly, amplifying impact through networks, events, and media.

Judges’ comments:

“This program should be replicated in every school district in Canada. It is innovative and has such potential to make change in multiple areas over the long term. In ten years these kids will be voters and will enter the workforce with a good base of understanding around climate change initiatives in their community.”

Jaima Timler
Climate Action Specialist, Town of Smithers

Jaima is always up front making sure a climate action project is successful, whether the project involves Hydrogen fuel enhancements on heavy duty equipment, decommissioning the gas meter at Smithers Town Hall or participating in the annual Earth Week bike parade.

She has successfully applied for grants or private partnerships to fund many of Smithers’ Community Energy and Emissions Plan’s implementation projects and has also lobbied the province to continue LGCAP funding so that small communities like Smithers continue to have resources to employ a Climate Action Specialist like her.

Judges’ comments:

“Jaima is passionate about achieving climate action goals established by the Town and she uses that energy to motivate municipal staff and the community alike to embrace climate action initiatives.

“It is clear from the wide scope of projects mentioned in the nomination that Jaima goes well beyond her job description to pursue ambitious goals that will bring real, long-term changes to her community.”

Rebecca Newlove
Manager of Sustainability, District of Saanich

For nearly ten years, Rebecca Newlove has led the sustainability division at the District of Saanich. This has involved leading the development of “100% Renewable and Resilient Saanich,” the District’s award-winning climate plan. She recently led an update to that plan and has been collaborating with colleagues and the broader community on such initiatives as the Tillicum Green Infrastructure Project and the municipality’s asset management program.

Judges’ comments:

“It’s clear that Rebecca’s passion and commitment to climate action and sustainability have propelled Saanich into its enviable place as a leader among Canadian municipalities. She is the kind of champion that these awards really celebrate: collaborative and dedicated, while demonstrating the perseverance and long-term thinking that gradually move a community to implementing actions that truly benefit every resident.”