What do 2026 Fredericton councillor candidates think about climate change?

The Fredericton Community Climate Hub (FCCH), a local non-profit organization, asked candidates in the current municipal race about climate change. The responses, found here, bode well for the city.

The Hub motivates and empowers people and governments to act on climate change. Created in 2023 under the Climate Reality Project Canada, the Fredericton Community Climate Hub is keenly interested in what future municipal leaders think about this existential issue. It sent a questionnaire to all Fredericton 2026 candidates with a deadline of April 30.

Eighteen responses (43 per cent of the candidates) came in by the deadline, from sixteen council hopefuls and two mayoral contenders. Those responding were: Karen Matchett (Ward 2), Sean Winslow (Ward 2), Colin Ebbett (Ward 3), Jocelyn Pike (Ward 4), Sarah Cunard (Ward 5), Jacob Cloutier (Ward 5), Blair Sullivan (Ward 6), Greg Ericson (Ward 8), Ruth Breen (Ward 9), Jeff Shanks (Ward 9), Kelly Murray (Ward 10), Jeff Thompson (Ward 10), Jason Lejeune (Ward 11), Gray Miller (Ward 11), Stacy Collett (Ward 12), Janet Moser (Ward 12), Jenica Atwin (Mayor), John Reid (Mayor).

Almost all got a good score, but that may have been influenced by the originator of the questions, a climate organization.

Reviewing the responses without names attached was illuminating. The mix of yes/no/unsure questions and opportunities in each section to provide written commentary gave a wealth of insight into candidates’ thought processes and informed their overall score.

Bottom line up front: Respondents had lots of ideas and a sense that things must move in the direction of greater climate resilience through a combination of energy-related and behavioural (cultural) changes in coming years.

When asked if climate change is going to become a serious issue for Fredericton, 16 respondents (89 per cent) said “yes” and one was unsure. Similarly high numbers were given when candidates were asked about their understanding of the causes and threats posed by climate change. Only one candidate indicated a lack of clarity on the causes and threats.

Asked what measures candidates would advocate for if elected, answers included a range of sustainable urban design, tree canopy increases, nature-based solutions, and even “tightening” the urban growth boundary (where water and sewer pipes end). Insightful remarks noting the harms of sprawl showed an understanding of the inter-play between car-oriented “development” and emissions. One candidate astutely observed, “Every kilometre of avoided sprawl reduces long-term emissions and infrastructure liabilities.”

Several candidates advocated for naturalizing more city properties and mowing less. Some wanted incentives for replacing lawns with wildflowers and gardens.

Solar photovoltaics (ie., more panels on municipal rooftops and a municipal role in boosting residential solar uptake) was a common theme. The multiple candidates mentioning expanding the urban tree canopy will be pleased to learn of some $800,000 recently approved for Fredericton to do just that in coming years, courtesy of other levels of government.

Fifteen of 18 candidates (83 per cent) support the idea that the city encourage businesses to offer transit passes to their employees instead of parking passes as a taxable benefit. Slightly fewer, 13 respondents (72 per cent) agreed that the city should encourage carpooling in outlying areas, while 5 were unsure. In many cases the candidates showed a strong recognition of the importance of land use in reducing emissions. More EV charging throughout the city was a frequent comment.

One respondent suggested Fredericton establish its own power utility, enabling greater autonomy to generate and distribute (clean, renewable) electricity to its residents in the age of climate change.

On the topic of data centres, 13 of the 18 respondents, 72 per cent, felt Fredericton needed to proactively have studies conducted that would inform strong land use planning and restrictions for these energy- and water-intensive facilities.

Ten of the 18 (56 per cent) did not agree with a new data centre for Fredericton if it used fossil fuels. One respondent suggested the benefits outweigh the negative impacts, while a second indicated data centres should be required to only utilize renewable energy sources. A third indicated a complete antipathy to anything “AI.”

When asked if they had personally taken steps to offset their energy consumption with renewable energy, twelve (67 per cent) said no, while five said yes. Those yet to take such steps noted that as a precursor to installing solar or other renewables, they had done upgrades such as installing new windows, increasing insulation, fuel-switching (from oil or gas to electricity), buying energy efficient appliances, etc. One candidate reported living in a net-zero home.

Fredericton has three food forests, two on public land and one on church property. Respondents showed support for more of these community-led investments. One response demonstrated support for larger-scale farming, noting that we need to invest in infrastructure that farmers need including coordinated distribution hubs and a seven-day a week public market. Some suggested retention and expansion of urban agriculture on the NBEX grounds as it redevelops.

Looking ahead, one respondent said emergency preparedness should include preparing for food system disruption. A second wanted bylaw changes to enable small gardens “on the verge” of city streets, including between the road and sidewalk. Ominously, one wanted to see “underground food storage facilities.” With severe weather set to increase, this may be prescient.

The Fredericton Community Climate Hub is grateful to all candidates responding to this questionnaire. Overall, the long-form responses were overwhelmingly articulate, well-informed, and future-oriented. If you are elected, we will count on you for continued forward momentum in meeting the climate challenges ahead.

Margo Sheppard is the president of Fredericton Community Climate Hub and an outgoing Fredericton city councillor for Ward 1.