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Tara Shushtarian
Businesses & Jobs
Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres
Tara Shushtarian's promise
Make Burnaby homes more climate resilient by deep retrofitting of old structures and new builds being heat pump ready.
This means improving insulation, ventilation, cooling, and energy efficiency while preparing homes for cleaner heating. A phased, practical approach can reduce energy costs, protect residents from extreme heat and cold, and avoid costly upgrades. At the same time ensure support so retrofits remain affordable for homeowners and renters.
Climate Change, Heat, Fires, & the Environment
Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres
Tara Shushtarian's promise
Make Burnaby homes more climate resilient by deep retrofitting of old structures and new builds being heat pump ready.
This means improving insulation, ventilation, cooling, and energy efficiency while preparing homes for cleaner heating. A phased, practical approach can reduce energy costs, protect residents from extreme heat and cold, and avoid costly upgrades. At the same time ensure support so retrofits remain affordable for homeowners and renters.
Local Government, Planning, & Democracy
Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres
Tara Shushtarian's promise
Make Burnaby homes more climate resilient by deep retrofitting of old structures and new builds being heat pump ready.
This means improving insulation, ventilation, cooling, and energy efficiency while preparing homes for cleaner heating. A phased, practical approach can reduce energy costs, protect residents from extreme heat and cold, and avoid costly upgrades. At the same time ensure support so retrofits remain affordable for homeowners and renters.
Biography
submitted by the candidate or their team
Tara is a community advocate, and longtime champion for the environment social justice, and racial justice. She believes local government works for people. A livable city, with affordable housing, reliable transit, safe, inclusive community spaces.
Tara Shushtarian is a proud resident of Forest Grove in Burnaby, living with her family and dogs on the unceded, traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations. She is a committed advocate for environmental sustainability, social justice, and Indigenous rights.
Tara has championed numerous local initiatives, including urging the City of Burnaby to adopt a climate emergency plan, support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, and protect the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area and Fraser Foreshore Park. She continues to stand in solidarity with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation regarding the TMX expansion project.
She has served two terms on the City of Burnaby’s Environment Committee and two terms as a director with Fair Vote Canada. Tara also serves on the boards of the West Coast Climate Action Network, the New West Film Society, and CARFAC BC (for visual artists). As the South Asian consultant at the BC Centre for Palliative Care, she contributed to Advance Care Planning for seniors. With the Poverty Reduction Coalition, she played a pivotal role in the All On Board campaign that secured free transit for children aged 0–12. She is currently working with the Public Transit Alliance of BC to advance affordable, accessible, province-wide bus service, and with the BC Heat Collaborative on the right to cool, energy equity, and disaster management for extreme weather.
Despite her wide-ranging commitments, Tara’s focus is simple: make life more affordable, more climate-resilient, and more joyful for Burnabarians. Her priorities include:
Building affordable housing and climate resilient purpose-built rental homes with adequate open patio space.
Creating climate-resilient, complete communities with well-connected transit, walkways, and bikeways.
Strengthening neighbourhoods rich in amenities, good jobs, and green spaces.
burnabygreenparty.com/team-members/tara-shushtarian burnabygreenparty.com/team-members/tara-shushtarian