Coquitlam Voters Guide - 2022

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MAYORALTYCANDIDATE

Thereisamoodforchangewithcouncil:Gamar

ADELGAMAR

Age: 47

YearsasaCoquitlamresi dent:35(notconsecutive) Occupation: CEOofa leadershipconsultancy Website: gamarforcoquitlam.com Email: info@gamarforcoquitlam.com Facebook:

@AdelGamarCoquitlam Instagram: @adel.gamar Twitter/YouTube: @adelgamar

Hour-longcandidateinter viewswithMayorRichard StewartandAdelGamar, wererecordedonSept.9.The Tri-CityNews editedtheir commentsforlength.

Whoisyourcampaign manager? Wedon’thavea traditionalcampaignmanager,butwehavevarious peoplewhohavebeensup portingwithspecificlens andexpertise.(Gamarlater emailedthathehasspecial advisorsfor“Seniors&AgeFriendlyCoquitlam”;“Cityto-NationPartnership”;and “Families,Children&Public Spaces”;however,hede clinedtosharetheirnames.)

Whyareyouabetter candidatethanRichard Stewart? Iranfouryears ago.Asanewcandidatewith fiveweekscampaigning,I wasveryproudofthework thatwewereabletodo.We gavepeopleanopportunity tobeheard,andachoice.I cameinsecond.Iwasvery proudoftheoutcome.Over thelastfouryears,thechal lengesthatwe’vehadhave failedtobeaddressed.What I’velearnedisthatseniors onfixedincomesaremore anxiousthaneveraboutbe cominghomelessorhaving tomoveoutofCoquitlam. I’veheardfamiliesarestill waiting3.5yearstosecure childcareinCoquitlam.With myleadershipexperience,I recognizewherethere’san unmetneed.Havingaper

sonwhohasservedthecity for21years,Ithinkit’stime forchange.

Sincethelastcampaign, howhaveyoubeenapartof cityhalldiscussions? Shortly aftertheelection,Iappliedto acoupleofcommitteesand receivedaletterthatalotof peopleapplied,andIwas notofferedaposition.Ihave servedontheCoquitlam Foundationboard.Mywife andIco-foundedtheGamar Foundationand,forthelast threeyears,wehavebeenad visingandmentoringyoung peopletolookaroundtheir cities.

Ifyou’renotatcityhallin anadvisoryrole,howdoyou getyourinformationabout municipalaffairs? Ipay closetoattentiontowhat’s goingonatcouncil.Iattend hearings.Iwatchthevirtual meetings.Andanything that’smadepublic,anden

gagingwithresidents. Whatisyoureducation? UniversityofCalgary, bachelor’sofeducation.I wasakindergarten,Grade 1andGrade3teacher.We movedtotheEmirates whereIwasahighschool teacherforGrade11and 12withaCanadianorga nization.Ihaveamaster’s ineducationdegreein EducationalLeadership andManagementatthe UniversityofLeicester(UK) andworkedwithUNESCO asaneducationalspecial ist.AtHarvardUniversity,I graduatedwithamaster’sin publicadministration.Igota teachingpositionthere,and wasappointedapolicyfellow atHarvardLawSchool.

Youareboardchairof DouglasCollege.Whyis therenostudenthousing attheCoquitlamcampus? Thatisagoodquestionthat’s onthemindsofmanyofus.

Werecentlycelebratedthe announcementthatwehave beenworkingonforsolong at808RoyalAve.inNew Westminster.Housingiscrit ical.Howwonderfulwould itbetohavestudenthousing inCoquitlam?Thetransitis rightthere.It’sjustwaitingto betapped.

Whatisleadership?

Leadershipisnotaposi tionandaseattooccupy. Leadershipisthecapacityto bringpeopletogetherwhere youcanhelpmakeprogress oncomplexchallenges.If themayorisjustsittinginhis seatorjustbeingseeninthe cityateventsandnotadvo catingforseniorsinVictoria oryouthwithmentalhealth orsinglemothersfacing homeless,it’snoteffective.

Howisyourcampaign differentfromfouryears ago? Fromapolicyperspec tive,thechallengesarenow

moredire.Thereisamood forchange.Thesamemayor servedfor14yearstothebest ofhisability.Isalutehim forthat,butthechallenges thatwehavetodayhave clearlyoutgrownthecapacity forchangethatpeopleare expecting.I’veseenaconfir mationincollaborativepolitics.Ialsobelieveinhopeful issuesthatinstiltrustintheir futuremayorandelected representatives.Ibelievein theinspirationalpowerof politics.Peopleexpecttheir mayortomakeprogressby listening,tohelpbuilda responsivecityhallandto putpeopleandtheirneigh bourhoodsfirst.Maillardville isnotthesameasBurke Mountain.

Est-cequetuparles français? Unpeu.

Inyourdailylife,howdo youacknowledgethatyou live,work,playandlearnon uncededFirstNations’ter ritory? BeforeIcommitted torun,Iaskedforameeting withKwikwetlemFirstNation ChiefEdHallandhiscouncil.Iaskedfortheirblessing andwisdom.Theysaid, “We’veneverhadsomebody cometousinthisway.Thisis reconciliation.”Aswelookto develop,Iwanttolearnfrom thewisdomofElders.Iseek ChiefHall’sadviceregularly. Itispartofourfaithtoac knowledgeandhonourtheir land.(Gamardidnotshareif hereceivedKFN’sblessing).

Whatisyourvisionfor səmiq̓ʷəʔelə/Riverview Lands? Icertainlywantto seeitopenandprovidealot ofthementalhealthsupport thatpeopleneed.Whenwe immigratedherein1987,my mom’sfirstjobwasworking atRiverviewasaregistered nurse.Wehaveseenalotof talkoverthepastfewyears andalotoffingerprinting thatsomebodyneedstodo something.Idon’tthink thatresidentsofCoquitlam expecttheirmayortosolve everyproblem,buttheydo

expecttheirmayortocon venepeopleandusetheir platformtofindwaystoaddressthesechallenges.

Whoisendorsingyou, andwhoareyouendorsing? Sofar,about15,000residents ofCoquitlam.Thebiggest endorsementiseverydoor thatI’matwheretheysay, “It’sabouttimeforachange.” Iappreciatethatthepeople ofCoquitlamwantindependentcandidates.Theydon’t likeslatesorpartypolitics. Iwillnotbeendorsingany candidate.

Areyouinfavourofim plementingalivingwage atcityhall? Yes,absolutely. PoCois.Ifwebecomealiving–wagecity,Iknowthat businessesaroundthecity willtakethelead,butifwe’re notevenhavingthatconversationthenwe’renotseeing progress.Themayorhasn’t metthepeoplethatwork atourleisurecentreswho work40hoursaweek—and they’restillbelowthepoverty line.Hedoesn’tunderstand thedataaroundit,thatthose whoearnalivablewage spendlocally.He’soutof touchwithgoodcivicpolicy.

Whyareyourunningfor mayorandnotcouncil? Peopleareyearningand askingforchange,andthat’s withthemayor.Weneed changeatthetop.Ifyou believeyouhavesomething tocontributetothecityand wanttoinspire,yourunirre spectiveofwho’sinoffice.I wanttorunacityforeveryone.Idon’twanttohavea long-termtenure.Icommit tofouryearsofhardwork.I believeintermlimits.Two termsisthecap;youcando wondersintwo.

MARKMAHOVLICH

Third-timemayoralty candidateMarkMahovlich didnotprovidehiscontact informationtotheCityof Coquitlamaspartofhis nomination.

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MAYORALTYCANDIDATE *RICHARDSTEWART

‘Iwanteveryonetofeelsafe&proudoftheircommunity’

Age: 63

YearsasaCoquitlamresident: 62 Occupation: Mayor Website: richardstewart.ca Email: coquitlamstewart@ gmail.com Phone: 604-931-2848 Facebook/Instagram/ Twitter: @mayorstewart

Hour-longcandidateinterviewswithMayorRichard StewartandAdelGamar, wererecordedonSept.9.The Tri-CityNews editedtheir commentsforlength.

Whoisyourcampaign manager? Mywife.

Fouryearsago,you toldthecommunityyou wouldn’trunagain.How canvoterstrustyou? Four yearsago,Itoldmyselfit wouldbemylastterm.I madethatclearbecauseI feltthatIcouldwalkaway fromtheworkwithsatis factionandtherewas—is —anotheropportunityon thetable,butCovidchanged everything.Ittookaway2.5 yearsoutofafour-yearterm andIsimplywasn’tableto completethemostimport antworkIwantedtodo.

Willthisbeyourlast term? Thiswill,certainly. ThatisacommitmentI madetomywifeandfamily. Thiswillbemylastterm.

Whyismentalhealth yourmaindriver? It’sthe mostimportantandchallengingissuefacingpublic policyatalllevels.It’sapas sionandalegacyIhopeto changethedirectionoffor localgovernments.

Therewasnobyelection toreplaceBonitaZarrillo. Doyouthinkthecityis abovetheprovinciallaw? Notatall.That’swhywe wenttotheminister.We reviewedthelegislationin detail.Wegotlegalcounsel toensurethatwehada soundbasisforthedeci sionofcouncil,whichwas

unanimous.Itsimplywasn’t feasibletooperateaproper byelectioninthetimethat wehad.Covidandthe weathermadeeverything morecomplicated.Wehave advocatedtoavoidelectionsinthewintermonths becauseofthecomplexities thatplaces,especiallyfor femalecandidates.Wedoset asidemoneyforelections, butweguardeverydollarto makesureit’sspentwisely. Twoelectionsinthecalendarisnotgoodsoundpublic policy.Ihaven’theardfrom asinglevoter—otherthan theplaintiffs—thatwanted tobyelection.Weneedto

gettheruleschangedinthe LocalGovernmentAct.

There’sbeenacommon themeoverthepastterm aboutlackofconsultation withresidents.Somesay citystaffandcouncildon’t respond.Howcanthecity dobetter? Wehaveway moreconsultationnowthan backinmyfirstterm.We didn’tconsultonalmost anythingthen.Today,wedo thatmuchmore.Butwecan havea2.5-yearconsultation planontheAustinHeights neighbourhoodandyoucan postthephotoofitadozen timesinthenewspaperand

someonewillsay,“Thisis thefirstwe’veheardabout it.”Peoplearebusy.There’s alotofnoise.Alotpeople havespecificsourcesfor news.Itisafrustrationfor everylocalgovernment abouthowwecanreach folks.Wereachoutevery wayimaginableandwestill hearfrompeoplewhohaven’theardaboutanissue.

Howcanthecitycommunicatemoreeffectively toinformcitizens? Wenow postpublichearingdocumentsonlinesothatpeople canreadthewholepackage, butthere’snoquestionthat

thestatutoryadinthenewspaperissometimeshard toread.We’veaddressedit withstaff.Isthereawayto havemoreplainlanguage anddrawings?Wehavebetterdrawingsthanmostlocal governmentscomingbefore thepublic.Idon’twant anyonetocometoapublic hearingwiththewrong information.Butplanning todayiswaymorecomplicatedthansubdividinglots.

Whatisyourvisionfor Coquitlam? Thereality ofthehousingcrisishas changedeverythingfor localgovernments.Iwant Coquitlamtobemorelivableinfouryearsthanitis today.Iwanttocontinue theamenitiesforresidents.I wantwalkable,non-carcentricneighbourhoodsaround transitlines.Iwanteveryone tofeelsafeandfeelproud oftheircommunity.These arethingsthatwehearfrom alotofresidentseveryday. Butwealsoknowthatthere’s anxious.Thequarter-acrelot thatdominatedplanning50 yearsagoisnotpossibleany more.Iwantyoungpeople tobeabletostayhereand notbedisplacedbecause ofthehousingcrisis.Iwant morejobshere.Iwanta completecommunity.

Howcanyougetpeople tobeCoquitlam–proudand stoplittering? Itdrivesme crazy.Ithinkit’sastruggle thateverycommunityhas isthetwopercentwhofeel thatthecoffeecupgoeshere onthelawn.It’satinypercentageofpeoplewhodon’t haverespectfortheirfellow residents.Isuspectit’sgoing tobehardtoreachthem. Butyoudon’tslapthemwith afine.

There’sbeenalotof gunviolencerecently.Is Coquitlamasafeplaceto live? Yes,buttheLower MainlandandNorth Americahavefacedacomplicatedrealityofgangviolence.Ourcommunityhas seenlessofitthanothers,

butwe’renotimmune.I reallywantthecourtstosup portthepoliceeffortstodeal withgangviolence.There arecourtdecisionsthathave madeitmuchmoredifficult toprosecuteviolentcriminals.

Whenyoufirstranfor mayor,youpromised Maillardvilleyouwouldget ridoftheHellsAngelsclubhouse.Whyisitstillthere? Thelawdoesn’tsupport policeandthecommunities theyserveintacklinggangandorganized-crimeactivity.Localgovernmentshave fewtoolstotacklecrime.The actualclubhousedoesn’t havealotofexternalimpact ontheneighbourhoodother thanitsexistence,butits existenceisimportanttome. Idesperatelywishitwasn’t there,andIwishIhadthe toolstomakeitgoaway.

WhenwilltheFremont Connectorbebuilt? We nowhaveanagreementwith theCityofPortCoquitlam. Theconnectorisn’tin Coquitlam.Itwasplanned 40yearsago,butPort Coquitlamoptedforadifferentroute.Iwishthatprovinciallegislationallowed usmoreflexibilityonhow wefundit.WeneedPort Coquitlam’ssupportingettingitbuilt.About150years ago,thefoothillsofBurke Mountainweredesignated forhousingandweneed thatroutetotakeawaythe impactsonneighbourhoods inPortCoquitlam.

Whyistherenoliving wageatCoquitlamCity Hall? We’reunionized. Everybodyhereispaid abovethelivingwage.The challengeiswewouldbe raisingtaxestofundhigher wagesforafewcontractors. It’sachallengingpublic policytoimplement.Iam gratefulthattheprovince hasraisedtheminimum, butI’mnotsureifweshould implementatwo-tiered system.

MayorRichardStewartatCoquitlamCityHall. SUBMITTEDPHOTO

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*BRENT

ASMUNDSON

Age: 64

YearsasaCoquitlamresi dent: 32

Occupation: Citycouncillor, retiredtransitbusdriver Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work? Incumbent,Cityof Coquitlamcouncillor.

Web: BrentAsmundson.ca

Email: Brentasmundson2022@ gmail.com Twitter/YouTube/LinkedIn: @BrentAsmundson

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Iamseeking re–electiontocontinueworkingforourcommunityto supportsustainablegrowth, helpingcreateaffordable housingandimplementing soundenvironmentalprac tices.Iamcommittedtomakingsureyourmunicipaltax dollarsarespentwiselyand providegreatcommunityfacilities.WiththisinmindIam committedtocosteffective infrastructureimprovements whileensuringthatthecityis businessfriendlyandfocused onkeepingneighbourhoods safe.Weallhaveavoicein localgovernment,andIam dedicatedtomakingsurethat yourvoicesareheard.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Iseehousingas theNo.1issue.Asamem berofcouncil,wehave implementedanAffordable HousingStrategywithincentivestotackleaffordability withover10,000market rentalsandover2,000belowandnon-marketrentalunits. Thesestrategiesarenow underdevelopment.During mytimeoncouncil,wehave createdHousingChoices, whichpromotesavariety ofhousingtypesacrossthe communityforarangeof households.Seniorshous ingisagrowingneedinour community.Weareleasing citylandat1200Cartierata nominalratetohavea36unit,three-storey,below-and non-marketunits,alsoan applicationat1015Austin Avenuefor155independent livingunitsand12below marketunits.

ROBBOTTOS

Age: 54

YearsasaCoquitlamresident:44

Occupation: Self-employed Mostrecentcivic/volunteerwork: Memberof Tri-CityHomelessnessand HousingTaskForce,serve onUniversalAccess-Ability AdvisoryCommitteefor

vte smart

CityofCoquitlam,Royal CanadianLegion263.

Website: robbottos.ca

Email: voterobbottos@ gmail.com

Facebook: @voteRobBottos

Whyareyourunning forpublicoffice? Iam runningforcitycouncilbecausethroughoutmylife, onethinghasremained constant:mycommitment toCoquitlam.Asalifetime volunteerinourcommunity, Ihavegivenofmytimeand talentsinmanyways.Ihave contributedthroughservice organizations,community taskforcesandmunicipal committeework.Ihavebeen anadvocateinbothprint mediaandpublicforums forCoquitlam’sneeds.Our councilneedspersonswho arecommittedtothiscity, whobringabroadperspec tiveandhavetheabilityto

lookataproblemfromall sidesandwhoworkwithotherstofindsolutions.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? In1978whenI movedhere,Coquitlam’s populationwaslessthan 60,000people.Today,itis approaching150,000anditis projectedtogrowto225,000 by2041.Ourdevelopment mustmeettheneedsofa diverse,growing,andaging population.Wemustattract servicesandprovidefacilities thatkeeppacewithourlarger population.Weneedamixof housingalternativesincludingaffordablehousingfor seniors,youths,andfamilies. Weneedtoensuresustainabledevelopmentofcompleteaffordablecommunities whereresidentscanlive, workandplaywhileensuring weminimizecommuting volumesandpreservingour environment.

PHILLIPBUCHAN

Age: 57

YearsasaCoquitlamresi dent: 9

Occupation: Teacherand packagehandler

Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Poppysellerbefore

RemembranceDayevery yearforRoyalCanadian Legion263.

Website:philbuchan.ca

Email: info@philbuchan.ca Instagram/Twitter/ Facebook: @philbuchan

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Iamrunning forofficetobringafreshperspectivetocouncilandtolistentoallCoquitlamcitizens concernsandhelpthemwith problemstheyhaveintheir dailylives.Ifelected,Iwant toputforwardamotiontoin clude20percentbelow-markethousingandrentalsin allnewdevelopments.I alsowanttoputpressureon TransLinktoincreasethe frequencyofbusserviceinall ofCoquitlamsopeoplewill nothavetowaitlongperiods

PORTMOODY

smart

oftimetoreturnhomefrom workandschool.

What’syourNo.1issue

andwhy? MyNo.1issueis thebyelectionthatwasnot called.Itisadisserviceto Coquitlamcitizensthata vacantcitycouncilseathas notbeenfilledasrequired bylaw.Anumberofother municipalities,including Lytton(whichwasdevas tatedbyawildfire)complied withprovinciallawand heldbyelectionsfollowing theSeptember2021federal election.Coquitlamhas amplefundsinitsElection ReserveFundforapossible byelectionsothecostwould nothavenegativelyaffected anyothercityprogramsand services.Requiredelections shouldnotbedeclaredun necessaryorinconvenientby ourelectedrepresentatives.

BENCRAIG

BENCRAIG

Age: 52 YearsasaCoquitlam

resident: 12

Occupation: Financial planner

Mostrecentcivic/volunteerwork?Presidentofthe

MaillardvilleResidents Association.

Phone: 604-837-7037

Email: ben.craig@shaw.ca Facebook/Instagram: @BenCraigforCouncil

Twitter: @bencraig

Whyareyourunning

forpublicoffice? I’vebeen advocatingforcommunities eversinceImovedmyfamilytoCoquitlam.I’vehad hundredsofinteractions withourlocalgovernment duringthattimeandI’ve observedthatresidentshave becomedisconnectedwith thedecision-makingprocess atcityhall.Mygoalisto bringCoquitlamstakeholdersbackintothatprocess. I’vebeenafinancialplanner forover20years.I’veseen thecostofourlocalgovern-

mentriseatanastonishing rateandmyaimistobring somefinancialdisciplineto myroleasCoquitlamcity councillor.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Costofourlocal government:Inaperiodof historicinflation,thecost ofourlocalgovernmentis risingatanalarmingrate. Asthecostofgovernment rises,sodoesthecostof livingforallofus.Ibelieve ourlocalgovernmentshould budgetinthesamewayas Coquitlamfamilies.That meansreducingexpensesin thefaceofbudgetshortfalls. Afterall,weallwantnice things.Buttheymustfitinto ourbudget.

ForCoquitlamCouncil ZoëRoyer

Zoë’sexperienceinthecommunity

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LAFARGELAKE

Coquitlam’sTownCentre Park,intheheartofthe CityCentreneighbourhood,includesthePercy PerryStadium,Evergreen CulturalCentre,afestival siteandLafargeLake— completewithafountain. Thecityhaswonnumerousawardsforthepark, whichislocatedat1299 PinetreeWay.Duringthe wintermonths,fromlate NovembertolateJanuary, thelooparoundLafarge Lakeisapopularwalking spottoseetheannual LightsatLafargedisplay. Nextyear,themuånicipalityispoisedtoupgrade theForestWalkonthe southernsideofthelake.

Where tovote Oct.15

Youvoteongeneralelectionday —Saturday,Oct.15 between8a.m.and 8p.m.:

SCHOOLS

Alderson (825GauthierAve.)

Bramblewood (2875PanoramaDr.)

CapeHorn (155FinniganSt.)

ComoLake (1121KingAlbertAve.)

ourlivesandbuildabetter futureforourchildren.In allmypersonalandprofessionalendeavours,Ihave beencommittedtoprogressiveactionandempowering people.

MOHAMMAD

DARWISH

Age: 54

YearsasaCoquitlam

resident: 15

Occupation: Chief ExecutiveOfficer,Aplicata Technologies Mostrecentcivic/vol unteerwork: Coquitlam EconomicDevelopment AdvisoryCommittee;direc tor-at-large,LiberalPartyof Canada(BC);stratacouncil president;communitylead, LebNet

Darwish4Coquitlam.ca

vote@darwish4coquitlam.ca

@Darwish4Coquitlam

Phone: 604-630-2121

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Iamseeking aleadershiproleinpublic servicetohelpimprove

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Weneedaholistic approachforimprovingthe fundamentalpillarsthataffectourfuture.Ibelievethis includesoureconomicopportunities,infrastructure, andcommunityservices. Togetherwecanestablish equalopportunitiesforall whilebuildingastronger andsaferCoquitlamforus andgenerationstocome.

MATTDJONLIC

Age: 30 YearsasaCoquitlamresident: 16 Occupation:Provincialgovernmentemployee Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Trustee,Coquitlam PublicLibraryBoard(2014–2022);MackinParkcleanup withUnitedWay;memberof Tri-CitiesHomelessnessand HousingTaskGroup.

Website: mattdjonlic.ca

Email: info@mattdjonlic.ca Phone: 778-724-9407

Facebook/Twitter/ Instagram: @MattDjonlic

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? I’mrunning forcitycouncilwithafocus ondeliveringthehousing neededforthenextgenera-

tionofCoquitlamfamilies. Ourcityandregionare changing,andwemustplan forcompletecommunities. Thisisouropportunityto makesurewebuildthekind ofneighbourhoodsourkids cangrowupin,seniorscan affordtostayin,andthatwe canallthrivein.Iwanttosee Coquitlambethekindofcity peoplecanlivein,workin, andenjoywithallitsnatural beauty.

What’syourNo.1 issueandwhy? Making sureweplanforcomplete communities.Mypartner, Natalie,andIwanttostayin Coquitlambecauseweseeit astheidealplacetostartour family.Withmanyfamilies lookingtocallCoquitlam homeweneedtopushfor moretownhouses,homes forseniors,andaffordable ownershipmodels.Those housingstartsmustalso

comewithplansforfuture recreationcentres,communitycentres,parksand schools.Foranycitytowork, Ibelieveweneedtomake surefamiliescancontinueto thrivehereandseniorswho wanttodownsizecanstay intheneighbourhoodsthey know.

*CRAIGHODGE

Age: 65

YearsasaCoquitlamresident: 58

Occupation:Photojournalist Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: CurrentlyScoutleader andgroupcommissionerfor ScoutsCanada. Website: craighodge.ca Email: craig@craighodge.ca Phone: 604-240-1534

Whyareyourunning

forpublicoffice? Ihavea passionforservingmycommunity,problemsolving andworkingwithothersto getthingsdonearoundthe counciltable.Ibelievemy experienceoflivingherefor 58years,servingthreeterms oncouncil,andmyextensivecommitteework,will helpmeserveCoquitlam residents.Coquitlamisa greatplacetolive,workand playandisoneofthebest runmunicipalitiesinthe province.Itisimportantthat welookfornewideasand waystoimprovewhilemaintainingastrongandstable leadershiptocontinuethe pathforward.

What’syourNo.1issue

andwhy? Theenvironment,andensuringenough housing,withrentaland ownershipoptionsthatare affordabletoyoungpeople, families,workersandseniorsremainatoppriority. However,I’mbecomingincreasinglyfocusedoncommunitysafety.Policehiring needstokeeppacewith growth.Wemustworkwith healthauthoritiestoprovide abetterresponsetomental healthcalls,bringbackthe RCMPauxiliaryofficerprogramandhirecommunity safetyofficers.Thiswillfree upvaluablepoliceresources toincreasefootpatrolsin Coquitlam,incommercial andresidentialareasand parks,andaddressemerging problemsliketheregion’s increaseingangviolencein theLowerMainland.

EagleRidge (1215FalconDr.)

Glen (3064GlenDr.)

HarbourView (960LillianSt.)

Hillcrest (2161ReganAve.)

LordBaden-Powell (450JoyceSt.)

Meadowbrook (900SharpeSt.)

MillerPark (800EgmontAve.)

Montgomery (1900EdgewoodAve.)

MountainView (740SmithAve.)

MundyRoad (2200AustinAve.)

Nestor (1266NestorSt.)

PanoramaHeights (1455JohnsonSt.)

PorterStreet (728PorterSt.)

RanchPark (2701SpurawayAve.) RiverviewPark (700ClearwaterWay) SmilingCreek (3456PrincetonAve.) Walton (2960WaltonAve.)

OTHER InnovationCentre (1207PinetreeWay)

VictoriaCommunity Hall (3435VictoriaDr.)

MODARWISH

MATTDJONLIC

CRAIGHODGE

*STEVEKIM

Age:50

YearsasaCoquitlam resident:18(familymoved toCoquitlam41yearsago) Occupation: Incumbentcity councillor.Smallbusiness owner.

Mostrecentcivic/volun teerwork:Iamthechairof theUniversalAccessibility

PORTMOODYvte smartCOQUITLAM

AdvisoryCommitteeand vice-chairoftheEconomic DevelopmentAdvisory Committeeandvice-chair oftheMulticulturalAdvisory Committee.Iamthecouncilrepresentativeforthe CoquitlamRiverWatershed RoundtableandtheTriCitiesFoodCouncil. Website: stevekim4council.ca Email: stevekim4council@ gmail.com Facebook/Instagram/ Twitter: @SteveKimBC

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Simplyput,I loveourcommunityandI’m aproudCoquitlamresident. Ourcityisgrowingandhas somuchgoingforit.But comingoutofthepandemic, ourcommunityfindsitself atacriticaltimeinitshistory.Weneedsolutionsto supportourresidents,businessesandorganizations duringthisrecoveryperiod.

Iwanttoensurewebuilda strongfutureforall.Building onmyfirstterm,Ihaveexperienceandunderstandingof cityprocessesrequiredtoget thingsdone.Mybalanced approach,collaborativestyle andholisticviewbringa strongrepresentativevoice forthenextfouryears.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Mynumber1 issueissafe,affordableliving.Iwillfocusonresponsible,managedgrowthinour city,bybuildingtheright mixofaffordablehomes aroundmajortransithubs. Iwanttogetpeopleoutof theirdailycommutes,so theycanwork,playand studyclosetohomewhile supportinglocalbusinesses. Ourcityhasover2,000below market/non-marketrental unitsinstream,butit’snot enough.Isupportmore seniors,supportive,student

andaccessiblehousingin ourcitysothateveryonecan livesafelyandaffordablyin ourcommunity.

PAULLAMBERT

Age:36

YearsasaCoquitlam resident: 24

Occupation: Smallbusiness consultant

Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: CityofCoquitlam SportsandRecreation AdvisoryCommitteesince 2018,CoquitlamRiver WatershedRoundtable since2020,Tri-CityGreen Councilsince2020,Protect Coquitlam’sUrbanForest (PCUF)since2020. Website: paullambert.ca Email: paul@paullambert.ca Phone: 604-499-4234

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? I’mrunning forcitycounciltolistento residentsandthenactually

actonthefeedbacktheygive. Ihavespokenwithresidents acrossCoquitlamandmany feeltheirvoiceisnotbeing heard.Theyfeellikethecityis tellinguswhattodo,instead oflisteningandtakingour input.Theyalsofeelthatno matterwhattheysay,thecity isgoingtogoaheadanddo whateverithadplannedto do.Thisisveryupsettingto

hear.Oncitycouncil,Iwill makesureresidentsarelis tenedto,andthentheirfeedbackisactedon.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Mynumber1 issueisgrowthandhousing.Forthepastfouryears, Coquitlamhasexperienced anunprecedentedlevelof developmentandgrowth.I havespokenwithresidents acrossCoquitlamandmany areconcernedaboutthe effectthisishavingonour city.Theyareconcerned aboutthestrainbeingput onourroads,parks,schools, healthcaresystemandlocal environment.Ibelievewe needtolistentoresidents andslowdowntoamoderatelevelofdevelopment andgrowth.Slowingdown doesn’tmeanfailingtoaddressaffordabilitythough.It meansbuildinghousingthat actuallymeetstheneedsof

SEANLEE Ag Y den O M t Tr H R Corp r

STEVEKIM

PAULLAMBERT

SEANLEE

Age: 42

YearsasaCoquitlamresi dent:5

Occupation:ITexpert Mostrecentcivic/volunteerwork:Boarddirectorat Tri-CityBadmintonClub. HonoraryAmbassadorat RepublicofKoreaMarine Corp.formerexecutivedi rectoratKoreanVeterans

AssociationWesternChapter Canada.Formermemberof CapitalRaiseCampaignteam atYMCACoquitlam.Stop Anti-AsianHateCrimes

Website: SeanLee.ca Facebook: @sean.lee.coquitlam

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? I’manITexpertspecializinginpredictive analysis.Basedonmyexpertise,Icameupwiththreekeywordsfor2023andonward: economicrecovery,mental healthandaddiction,and climatecrises.Weneedto beready,andIhaveanswers andplans.Wemustfocuson economicrecovery,prepare forthegrowingdemandsof thosedealingwithmental healthandaddictionissues andpromotegreenspace conservation.Myplatforms andplanswillbestrongsafe guardsagainstforeseeable economic,mentalhealth,

andclimatecrisesinour community.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Ofallthreeprior itiesforCoquitlam,mytop onerelatestoaddressingeconomicrecoverythroughthe citytransformation.Ihave everythingpre-arrangedand readytotransformCoquitlam into“acutting-edgemedical city”byattractingmedical andITindustries.Thus,I willbeabletotacklepressing issuesinourcommunity, includingjobcreationand security,economicrecovery andaffordablehousing. Furthermore,itisalarming torecognizethatthereisno generalhospitalinCoquitlam withitsestimatedpopu lationof150,000by2021. Nevertheless,Iwillfoster morecollaborationbetween municipalandprovincial governmentstobuildagen eralhospitalandreinstatethe RiverviewHospital

*TRISHMANDEWO

Age: 54

YearsasaCoquitlam

resident: 13 Occupation:Governance professional,entrepreneur Mostrecentcivic/volunteerwork:WeBC.Union ofBCMunicipalities.City ofCoquitlam’sCulture ServicesAdvisoryCommittee,

EconomicDevelopment

AdvisoryCommitteeand ParcelTaxReviewPanel. BlackOpportunityFund.

DreamLegacyFoundation.

Web: trishmandewo.ca

Email: Trishmandewo@ gmail.com Facebook: @Re-ElectTrish MandewotoCoquitlamCityC ouncil

Instagram/Twitter/ LinkedIn/YouTube: @trishmandewo

TikTok: @TerrificTrish

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Coquitlamisan amazingcity.Iloveit,justas youdo.Whatanhonourand blessingitwastobechosen byyouin2018.Berestassured thatIworkedhardforyou. IamrunningagainsoIcan continuetoadvocateforyou aswellasmakesmartpolicy decisionsthatwillensureour Coquitlamwillbealivable, safe,inclusiveandvibrant

city.Ihavetheknowledge andexperienceneededatthe table.Iwouldliketocontinue tosupportthevisionthat youhaveforourcity,your family,yourbusinessandfor yourself.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Whileit’snoteasy tochooseoneissue,I’dsay managingandplanningfor sustainablegrowthismy numberoneissue.Thereis nodoubtthatCoquitlamis experiencingunprecedented growth.Sustainablegrowth isattheintersectionofaf fordablehousing,socio-economicdiversity,climate changeresilienceandlivable communities.Wemustmake soundpolicydecisionsaswell ascontinuetoleveragepartnershipswithotherlevelsof governmentsowecanaccess fundingtosupportresponsiblegrowthpriorities.Ourresi dentsexpectnothingless.

smart

*DENNISMARSDEN

Age: 57

YearsasaCoquitlam resident: 40 Occupation: Businessconsultant,retiredbankmanager Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Citycouncilsince 2014.Tri-CitiesChamberof Commerce2004–2008(pres identin2007).EagleRidge

HospitalFoundation2005–2013(treasurer2006–2013). Website: dennismarsden.com Twitter: dennis_marsden Instagram: dennisjmarsden Facebook: electdennismarsden

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Ihavebeen honouredtoserveforthe pasteightyears,bringingina numberofpolicies,ranging fromfinancialmanagementto affordablehousingtoenviron mentalsustainability.Ibelieve thatinourcurrentuncertain times,myexperienceatthe counciltableandacrossthe regionwillbevaluabletoen surethatCoquitlamcontinues tomoveforwardinapositive manner.Wehavesignificant capitalprojectsplannedto delivertheinfrastructure weneedacrossthecityand experienced,responsivelead ershipwillbecriticaltoour success.

What’syourNumber1

issueandwhy? Affordable housing.Wehavehadsome tremendousinitialsuccessin bringingmorerentalhousing toourcitywithover2,000 non-marketrentalunitsand 10,000rentalunitsunder constructionorapproval. Icanusemyexperienceto advocatefordeepersubsidies toprovidemoreworkplace housingtoensurethatwe focusonthepreventionof homelessnesstostarttostem thetide.Projectssuchas Burquitlamwith100unitsof subsidizedhousingfrom$375 permonthtorentsbasedon incomeareneededacrossour city,andIcanusemyexperi encetodelivermoreofthese homes.

ROBERT MAZZAROLO

Age:35

YearsasaCoquitlam resident:35

Occupation: Lawyer

Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Co-vicechairanddi rectorforSHAREFamilyand CommunityServicesSociety. Co-vicechairanddirectorfor 43HousingSociety.Director forThePeople’sPantryFood RecoverySociety.Volunteerat theComoLakeRelays. Website: robertmazzarolo.com Email: robertjmazzarolo@

gmail.com

Twitter/Instagram: @robertmazzarolo Facebook: @MazzaroloforCoquitlam CityCouncil

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Todeliverfor Coquitlamresidentsavision thattakesaholisticapproach tothecurrentandfuture challengesfacingourcity. Inparticular,focusingon family-orientedhousingfor familiestoliveandgrow,and optionsforseniorstothrivein theircommunity;expanding ourpublicparks,recreational facilities,andculturalloca tionstoaccommodateagrowingpopulation;protecting ournaturalenvironmentfor futuregenerationstoenjoy; fosteringavibrantbusiness communitytoprovidelocal employmentopportunitiesfor residents;andmanagingcity revenuesresponsiblyandeffi

cientlysoastonotoverburden thetaxpayer.

What’syourNumber1 issueandwhy? Prioritizing family-orientedhomessuch asthree-bedroomtownhomes androwhomes,andtwo-and three-bedroomcondos,while atthesametimemaintaining neighbourhoodcharacter. Keepingexistingandattractingnewfamiliestoourcity hasmanypositivespinoffs. Theseincludebuildinga senseofcommunitythrough communityorganizations, providingarobustcustomer baseforlocalbusinesses,and broadeningthetaxbaseto keeppropertytaxesincheck. Furthermore,thepreceding typesoffamily-oriented homesaremoreaffordable foryoungfamiliestoliveand grow,andprovideoptions forseniorswhomaywantto downsizeandstayinthecom munitytheyhelpedtocreate.

PORTMOODYvte smartCOQUITLAM

PARKS,TOWERS

SpiritSquare,located southofCoquitlamCity Centreandnexttothe GlenPine50+Pavilion,is apopulargatheringspot forCoquitlamresidents andvisitors.Theurban parkissurroundedclose tohigh-rises,theGlen Drivecommercialstripand CoquitlamCentremall.

Residentialtowersare commonintheCityCentre neighbourhood—and moreareontheirway,with ninehigh-risesontheir wayforTriCityCentral,a MarconQuadrealproject atthesoutheasterncorner ofBarnetandLougheed highways.Thatprojectis duetobebuiltinfullin thenext10to15years.

Anothermasterplanunder considerationisPolygon’s CoronationHeights,where ninetowersatplannedon aformerschoolsite.

CAMERONMCBRYER

Age: 39 YearsasaCoquitlam resident: 39

Occupation:Off-gridsolar andbatteryspecialist Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Previousworkplace weadoptedthestreetwe wereon,andIparticipated inacharitableboxingtour namentcalledBeerWarsto raisemoneytofundafter schoolactivitiesforat-risk youth,atEastSideBoxingin Vancouver.

Email: ccmcbryer @gmail.com

Phone: 778-839-4525

Instagram: @ccmcbryer

Whyareyourunning forpublicoffice? Ilove Coquitlam,andIwantitto growinasustainablemanner

whilestillmaintainingthe wayoflifethatbringspeople tothecityinthefirstplace.I wanttoseemyfriendsand familysucceedhere,and haveahappyhealthywayof life.Ihaveaskillofbringing togetherlikemindedpeople intocohesiveunits.Itisn’tmy visionforthecitythatmat ters,itismyabilitytolistento yourvisionthatmatters. What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Ensuringthat withresidentialgrowthin populationanddensity,we ensuretrafficpatternsare wellthoughtoutandtransit accessibilityisincreased. Moretransitoptions,more frequency,andlaterservice. Laterserviceisessential,with theexpectedincreaseinpop ulationwewillhavemany morelatenightandgraveyard shiftworkers.

BRIANMISERA

Age: 38 YearsasaCoquitlam resident: Idon’tlivein Coquitlam.I’velivedinPort Coquitlamsincewemovedto Canada29yearsago. Occupation: Resourcecoor dinator Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Notprovided Email: brian.misera @gmail.com LinkedIn: @brianmisera

Whyareyourunningfor

publicoffice? Iamrunning forofficetodomypartto solvethehousingcrisis.We needtobuildhomesfaster toprovidebetterliving conditionsforfamiliesand putdownwardpressureon rent.Thisrequirescooperationacrossmunicipalities anddifferentlevelsofgovernment.Also,Iwanttoexploretransportationdevelopmenttoeasecongestion onLougheedHighway,and findwaystohosteventsand promotelocalbusinessesto increasetaxrevenuesand driveeconomicgrowth. Overall,Iwanttominimize wastefulspendingandkeep propertytaxesaslowas possible.

What’syourNo.1issue

andwhy? Theamountof moneyIspendonrentis ridiculous.IfeellikeIam stuckandunabletosave anymoneytoimprovemy livingconditions.However, insteadofstayinginthe basement,Iamtryingto proactivelybepartofthe solution.Weneedgreater housingsupply,tougherregulationsandconsequences fordirtymoneyentering ourmarket,andpreferential policyforthosewholiveand workhere.Everybodyneeds housing,unfortunatelyit feelslikeourwageshavenot keptupwithproductivity increasesfordecades.

BENJAMINPERRY

Age: 46

YearsasaCoquitlam

resident: 44

Occupation: Speech–languagepathologist Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: IhavebeenvolunteeringwithForceofNature forsevenyears,andleading thelocalteamforfiveyears. IhavealsobeenavolunteerwithHealthScience Associationforthesame amountoftimeasalead steward,delegateandconstituencyliaison. Website: benjaminperry.ca Email: elect@benjamin-

perry.ca Phone: 604-700-9604

Facebook/Twitter:@ PerryCoquitlam

Instagram: @benjaminperry4coquitlam

TikTok: @benjaminperrycq

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Coquitlam shouldbeaplaceforeveryone.Nooneshouldhaveto leavebecausetheycanno longeraffordtolivehere. Thecitymustrequiredeveloperstobuildaffordable housingandthecitycan cooperatewithnon-profits tomeetthehousingneeds ofresidents.Ourcityshould notbedesignedforthe purposeofmaximizingreal estateprofit,butinsteadfor thebenefitofcitizensand

residents.Electedofficials shouldrepresentallpeople equallyandmoneyshould nothaveundueinfluence ondecisions.Ourcitycan standupforhumanrights —promotingeconomic equalityandallkindsof diversity.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Climatechangeis thebiggestexistentialthreat wefaceinthisera.Weare justatthebeginningofnoticeableeffectsandalready wearechokingonsmoke fromwildfires,experiencing dangerousheatandwitnessingdeadly,devastating floods.Citiesarethemain sourceofemissions,andin MetroVancouver,personal vehiclesandbuildingsare thetwobiggestcontributors ofgreenhousegasemissions.Therearepractical solutionstotheseissues thatdonotrequiretaxhikes andhavealargeeffect. Theseincludezoningfor medium-densitycomplete communities,requiring zero-emissionheatinginall newbuildingsandexpandingactivetransportation infrastructureintheCityof Coquitlam.

CAMERONMCBRYER

BRIANMISERA

BENJAMINPERRY

PORTMOODYvte smartCOQUITLAM

CHAMBEREVENT

TheTri-CitiesChamber ofCommercehostedan all-candidatesmeeting attheEvergreenCultural CentreinCoquitlamon Sept.21.CEOLeslie Courchesnekickedoffthe event,with20ofthe22 councilcandidatespresent.Themayoraltycandidates,AdelGamar,Mark MahovlichandMayor RichardStewarttookcentrestage.Thecontenders gaveone-minuteintroductaryandclosingremarks each,aswellasresponded tovettedquestionsvia Slido.About100people attendedin-person.The Chamberalsohosted all-candidatesdebatesin PortMoodyonSept.28 andinPortCoquitlamon Oct.3inthosecommunities. JANISCLEUGH/TCNEWS

LESLIEROOSA

Age: 64 YearsasaCoquitlamresi

dent: 30

Occupation:Educatorwith theVancouverSchoolBoard (teacher,Englishlanguage learnerspecialist,caseman ager)

Mostrecentcivic/volun teerwork:LegionBranch 263(poppycampaign).

CoquitlamAnimalShelter (contributor).

Website:LeslieRoosa ForCoquitlamCouncil.com Email: LeslieRoosaCoquitlam@ gmail.com

Phone: 778-245-1928

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Mydecisionto runforpublicofficeisrooted inmystrongfinancialback ground.Iamatrusteeforthe

BCTeachers’PensionPlan (withassetsover$34billion andthe10thlargestpension fundinCanada),adirector forCommunitySavings CreditUnion(withassets over$800million)andIhave beensecretary–treasurerfor theVancouverElementary SchoolTeachersAssociation (oneofthelargestteachers’ associationsinB.C.).Ibelievethatthisfinancialexpertisewouldbeavaluable additiontocitycouncil.Itis awaythatIcancontribute positivelytoourcommunity. What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Theissuethatis mostimportanttomein thiselectionisurbandensity.Asdensityincreases inCoquitlam,Iwantto advocateforcityservicesto keeppacewithpopulation growth.Thisincludesthese keyareas:servicesforseniors(seniors’centresand safetyinitiatives);infrastructure(firefightingservices, roads,sewers,water,and libraries);andparksand recreationservices(expansionofrecreationcentres, playgroundsandgreen spaces).Iwouldalsolike toadvocateforaffordable housingprojectsforfamilies, singlepeopleandseniors.I wantCoquitlamtoremain theliveablecommunitythat weallappreciateandcall ourhome.

ZOEROYER

Age: 56

YearsasaCoquitlam resident:PortMoodyresident

Occupation: Business owner,PortMoodycity councillor(2011–2022) Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: PortMoodycitycouncillor Website: zoeforcouncil.ca Email:zoeroyer@hotmail.com Facebook: @zoe.royer.90

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Asathreetermcitycouncillor,library trustee,publishedauthor, artist,volunteer,business ownerand22yearsin healthcare,ZoeRoyerbrings araremixofstrongbusiness skillsandsincereconcern forsocialissues.Gender diversityonCoquitlam

citycouncilisessentialas womenbringanimportant perspectivetodecisions regardingqualityoflife, families,youthandseniors inourcommunity.Zoeis recognizedforherthoughtfulleadershiptowardreconciliationwithIndigenous Peoples,CoquitlamSD43’s ChildcareTaskForceandat theregionallevelonclimate actionandrapidemergency medicalresponse.Zoehas livedintheTri-Citiesfor18 yearsandhasadeepconnectionwithCoquitlam.She caresdeeplyforthiscommunity.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Zoe’stoppriority isthesustainabilityofqualityoflifeforourcitizens. Thismeansstrengthening policiesthatsupporthousingsecurity,employment closetohome,affordability,transportation,our naturalenvironmentand climateaction.Zoehopes tochampionaStudent SustainabilityAdvisory Councilasajointeffortwith Coquitlam’sSchoolDistrict andcitycouncil.Ouryouth aretomorrow’sleaders,and soonenough,allofuswill needtodependuponthem. Zoebelievesweneedtoincludeyoungpeopleincivic processesinameaningful way,helpingtoshapepol-

iciestowardabrighterand moresustainablefuturefor everyone.Zoerecognizes Coquitlam’suniqueleadershiproleintheTri-Cities, andtheabilitytomakeadifferenceattheregionallevel.

HARVEYSU

Age: 51 YearsasaCoquitlam resident:15 Occupation: Businessowner Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: EagleRidgeHospital emergencyexpansion Website: harveysu.com Email:info@harveysu.com Phone: 604816-9198 Twitter/Facebook/

Instagram: @HarveyHwSu

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Ihavebeen inCoquitlamforthepast 15years.MywifeYvonne andIareraisingourtwo daughtersTiffanyandEadlin here.Tiffanyoncesaidthat “Coquitlamisthemost beautifulcityintheworld” andIcouldn’tagreemore.I loveCoquitlam.Ibelieve thatIcanbringmybusiness skillandmorediversityto thecitycouncilandmake somepositivechangesin ourcommunity.AndbecauseofmyChineseheritage,Icanbeabetterliaison betweenthecityandthe Chinesecommunity,which isthelargestvisibleminority groupinCoquitlam.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Ihopetoenable abettertransitsystemand bridgeCoquitlamwithmore opportunities.Iamadvocatingfortheexpansionof theunidirectionalrushhour onlyWestCoastExpress servicetoafullcommuter railserviceoperatingseven daysaweek.Ibelievea biggerWestCoastExpress servicecanbeadriving enginefortherecoveryof thelocaleconomyandencouragemorepeopletouse publictransportation,thus reducingcarbonemission, creatingmorelocaljobs, helpingwithhousingaffordability,andtransformingour bedroomcommunityinto anintegratedcitywhereour residentscanlive,workand recreate.

LESLIEROOSA

ZOEROYER HARVEYSU

PORTMOODYvte smartCOQUITLAM

THE‘Y’IN2023

TheCoquitlamBettie AllardYMCAissettoopen itsdoorsforacommunity celebrationonNov.26, withoperationsdueto begininJanuary2023. Thebuilding,locatedat theeasternendofthe BurquitlamPlaza,ispart ofa$101-millionproject withtheCityofCoquitlam andConcertProperties,a developerbuildinghighrisesnearby.Thecapital projectalsoincludesanew communitypolicestation andapark-and-ridefor commutershoppingonthe EvergrenExtensionatthe BurquitlamStation.

ALITOOTIAN

Age: 59

YearsasaCoquitlam resident: 17

Occupation: Teacherat GleneagleSecondaryin Coquitlam

Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Stormdrain(Yellow Fish)protectionprogram. Website: AliTootianBio.com Email: Ali4Coquitlam@ AliTootianBio.com Phone: 604-809-2294 Instagram:@Coquitlam4Us LinkedIn: @alitootian Facebook: @TootianAli

Whyareyourunning forpublicoffice? Iaman activememberofthecommunity,aneducatoranda socialactivist.Nowthatmy childrenaregrownup,Ican givebacktothecommunity morethanbefore.Coquitlam ismyhome;Iliveandwork inthesameneighbourhood. Iwouldliketokeepmycity

safeandsoundwhileexperiencingitschangeintoa moderncity.Ibelieveinadiversityofknowledge,expertiseandbackgroundamong thecitycouncilmembersto approachcity-relatedprojectsinclusively.Icanoffer up-to-dateresearchand educationtechniques,and yearsofexperienceworking andhearingyouth,young adultsandtheirneeds.I advocateforthelifestyleof seniorsaswellasholdingon toenvironmentalvaluesat allcosts.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Thecitycouncil isnotproperlyconnected totheresidents.Thishas causedseveraldifferent issuesatthecitylevel.The demographicofCoquitlam hasdramaticallychanged inthepastdecadeandthe council,whichissupposed torepresentthepublic,isnot communicatingwithresi dents.Therefore,thecityis fallingbehindinsomeareas suchasholdingandmeeting ontothelifestyleresidents prefer,hearingthepeoples’ concernswithdensityand fast-growingCoquitlam,and theinfrastructurerequired forkeepingupwithquick changes.Thecitycouncilin Coquitlamshouldeducate peopleabouthowtobe partofamoderncitywhile collectingusefuldataina varietyofways.

*TERITOWNER

Age: 54

YearsasaCoquitlam resident:24

Occupation:Citycouncillor Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work:SD43MentalHealth TaskForce.Tri-CitiesFriends ofRefugees.SunRunClinic, runningleader.Centennial SecondaryPAC.Burquitlam LittleLibrary.Cityadvisory committees(Sustainability &Environment, CommunitySafety, UniversalAccessibility). MetroVancouverHousing Committee.UBCMFocus GrouponResponsible Conduct. Website: teritowner.ca Email: teri@teritowner.ca Phone: 604-937-5000 Facebook: @TeriTownerCoquitlam Twitter: @TeriTownerCllr Instagram:@teritownercllr Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice?

Ihavebeenanactive, involvedandengaged memberofmycommunity fordecadesandhavingthe opportunitytoelevatemy publicservicetothatofa community-mindedcity councillorisanhonourand privilegeItakeseriously.I amalwayslookingforconcretewaystobepartofthe solutionandtodosofrom thepointofviewofserving thepublic,bylistening, responding,collaborating andserving.Citiesarenot justroads,pipes,buildings andinfrastructure.Cities arepeople.Iamrunningfor re-electiontocontinuesupportingandadvocatingfor healthy,active,connected, welcomedandsafecitizens.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Althoughweare showingleadershipand respondingresponsibly towardtacklingthehousingcrisis,it’sachallenge tomanagethegrowthto ourcityandregionwhile respectingourneighbourhoodsandpreservingwhat’s herenow.Weneedtoensure wehaveenoughamenities (e.g.,reccentres,libraries, parks,police/fire)tomeet thedemandsandneedsfor ahealthy,connected,active andsafepopulation.Andwe needtoaccomplishallthis whileaddressingclimate change,increasedtraffic, affordabilityandkeeping propertytaxeslow.

CARLTREPANIER

CARLTREPANIER

Age: 59

YearsasaCoquitlamresident: 26

Occupation: Self-employed businessconsultant Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: Ijustcompletedmy ninthtermontheSports andRecreationAdvisory Committee.Ialsoassisted withtheKidSportused equipmentsalebyrepairing bikes,movingequipment intoandoutofthePoirier Forumandhelpingcustomersfindandfitskatesto purchase.InadditionIamin mysixthyearastheregional directorfortheBCSummer SwimmingAssociationfor theTri-CitiesandBurnaby andamemberoftheprovincialboardofdirectors.

Website: carltrepanier.ca

Email:carl@carltrepanier.ca

Twitter: @CarlTrepanier Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Ihaveadeep

connectionwithCoquitlam. Weliveinawell-managed, welcomingcommunity andIwanttostrengthen thesefactors.Iwanttoplay aroleinmanaginggrowth toprotectourenvironment, thecharacterofourneighbourhoods,ourgreenspaces andaccesstocommunity services.Ihopetofactor transportation,geography andamenitiesintodevelopmentforthebestfitforthe neighbourhood.Iamapassionateadvocateforsport, fitnessandrecreationfor allagesandabilities.Iwill ensuretheconstructionand renovationoffacilitiesmeet theneedsofourCoquitlam residents.

What’syourNo.1

issueandwhy? Ibelieve thenumber1issuefor Coquitlamispopulation growth.Growthdrivesour decisionsonwhereand whattypeofhousingisbuilt. Itgovernstheplacement, sizeandmakeupofparks, amenitiesandfacilities.It impactsourenvironment necessitatingactiononour parttomitigatetheeffects. Growthhasthepotentialto alterneighbourhoodsbut alsotostrengthenthem. Howwemanagegrowth willbetheprimarytask ofthenextcouncil.Iwant tobeattheforefrontof managinggrowthsothatit benefitsthecurrentcitizens ofCoquitlamandournew neighboursandfriends.

PORTMOODYvte smartCOQUITLAM

SCHOOLCANDIDATES

*JENNIFER

BLATHERWICK

Age: 47 YearsasaCoquitlam

resident: 14

Occupation: Schooltrustee Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: PickingupfooddonationsforImmigrantLink ServicesSociety,anon-profit thatprepareshampersfor 4,000peopleeverymonth. Servingasaboardmem berandvolunteerforthe CoquitlamFoundationand ACCESSYouthOutreach Services. Website: jenniferblatherwick.ca Email: info@jenniferblatherwick.ca Facebook/Twitter: @jenniferblatherwick Instagram:jenn.wick

Telegram: @JennWick

Whyareyourunning forpublicoffice? Thislast

termasaschooltrusteereinforcedmybeliefthatworking togetheristhebestwayto achievechange.Ourcurrent schoolsystemisexcellent, andschoolscancontinue tobuildonthatgoodwork toimproveoutcomesfor allstudents,especiallyfor racializedandIndigenous students.Iamcommitted tofurtheringthethoughtful collaborationswithmunici palitiesandtheprovincethat maximizepublicassetsby sharingbuildings,fieldsand parkspace.Workingtogether bringsvaluableassetstoour communities,liketherecent announcementofaTri-Cities Foundry,acentreforsup portingyouthmentalhealth.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Mynumberone concernistheimprovement ofthewell-beingofchildren inourcommunity.Behind thecostofhousing,the biggestconcernforparents ofyoungchildrenisfind ingdependablechildcare. Inclusivespaceshostedon schoolgroundsreducestress onfamilies,makebetteraca demicoutcomesforchildren, andhelpsecurestablestaffing.AsthechairoftheChild CareTaskForce,Iworked withgovernment,parents, educatorsandnon-profitsto streamlinehostingchildcare onschoolgrounds.Iam

happytosaythatelementary schoolsareopeningwith childcareontheirgrounds rightaway,andIsupportex pandingthataccess.

*CAROLCAHOON

Age: 52 YearsasaCoquitlam resident: 26 Occupation: Executivedirector,CoquitlamFoundation andSD43schooltrustee Mostrecentcivic/volunteerwork: Directorof PLEACommunityService, treasurerofCoquitlam Foundation,coordinatorof NeighbourhoodSmallGrants Coquitlam,volunteerwith 2022ScotFestBC,Volunteer withKinsmen2022Golf Tournament,Volunteer withTri-CitiesChamber ofCommerce2022Golf Tournament.

Website: carolcahoon.com Email: votecarolcahoon@ gmail.com

Phone: 604-787-3435 Facebook: @carol.cahool.94 Instagram/Twitter: @carol_cahoon

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Servingand representingthestudents, staffandcommunitywith beinganSD43schooltrustee thesepasttwotermshas beenanhonour.Advocating forpubliceducation,govern ingtheschooldistrictwith ateamoffellowtrusteeson

acorporateschoolboard, workingalongsidevarious levelsofgovernment,managingtheschooldistrictbudgets andcontinuingtoimprove studentachievementhave beenaresponsibilityIhave nottakenlightly.Ihopeto continuetobeapartofpol icy-making,strategicplanning,governance,andpromotingstudentachievement andwell-beinginSD43.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Myoriginalreason forrunningforschooltrustee in2014wasbecausethedis trictwasina$13-milliondeficitwhichafterbeingelected wewereabletocorrectand createstabilitywithinmyfirst term.Overseeingaschool district’sbudgetisoneofthe manyresponsibilitiesofa schooltrustee,whichleads toincreasedstudentachieve mentbyaddingresources

andsupportinclassrooms. Withstrongfinancialoversight,wewillhavebetteropportunitiestoachievestudent success,implementinitiativesandensurecontinued sustainability.

CHUCKDENISON

Age: Didnotprovide. YearsasaCoquitlam resident: 28

Occupation: Businessowner; formerteacherandcorporate projectmanager. Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work:PastSD43school trustee;pastDPACpresi dent;pastparticipationwith BCCPAC;pastdirectorof CoquitlamFoundationand memberofitsawardscom mittee;ToastmastersYouth Leadership,areagovernor, currentlyclubtreasurer; puzzle-pageeditorforMensa CanadainBC;createdand presentedstudentleadership trainingforseveralschools.

Web:ChuckDenison.ca

Email: Chuck@ ChuckDenison.ca

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Inthepast, financeswerestabilized; relationshipswithpartner groupswerestrengthened andstudentmentalhealth wasbettersupportedbyfacil itatingchannelstoresources. Moreworkisneededinall theseareas.Financescanbe

moredecisivelycontrolled; teachersfacegreaterchallengesespeciallywithmore refugees,morestudentswith challengingbackgrounds, andmorewhodonotspeak Englishwell;studentmental healthistoooftenseenasa classroommanagementissue anddealtwiththroughdisciplineratherthandialogue.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Studentmental healthinSchoolDistrict43. Thishasbeencompromised bytheCOVID-19pandemic andglobalunrest,andneeds allthehelpSD43canprovide. Studentsarebecomingactivemembersofoursociety, andbecomingourleaders fortomorrow’schallenges. Attentionandinvestmentin studentmentalhealthgoesa longway.

JENNIFERBLATHERWICK

CAROLCAHOON

CHUCKDENISON

smart

Whatyouneedto

Listen,weknowyou’ve likelybeenabitbombardedwith2022municipalelectionstuffthelast coupleofweeks.

Usaswellatthe Tri-City News.

Andwithsomuch informationtorememberaheadofOct.15,we wantedtohelpcondense theimportantdatesand itemsyouneedtoknow beforecastingyourballot.

InCoquitlam,local residentswillvoteforone mayor,eightcitycouncillorsandfourtrusteeson SchoolDistrict43’s(SD43) boardofeducation.

Eligiblevoterswillneed topickfromacombined listof32peoplelooking toearnoneof13open positionsassociatedwith thelocalmunicipality, consideredtobeoneof thefastest-growinginallof MetroVancouver.

ADVANCEPOLLS

Oct.6:Centennial Pavilion(620PoirierSt.)

Oct.8: Innovation Centre(1207Pinetree Way);CentennialPavilion (620PoirierSt.);and

VictoriaCommunityHall (3435VictoriaDr.)

Oct.11: Centennial Pavilion(620PoirierSt.)

Oct.12: Innovation Centre(1207Pinetree Way)

Thesepollswillbeopen from8a.m.to8p.m.

VOTINGDAY

Pollswillbeopenon Oct.15from8a.m.to8 p.m.atvariouslocations

Coquitlamresidents lookingtovoteinthe2022 municipalelectionhave tomeetcertaincriteriato doso.

Theymustbe:

•aCanadiancitizen •18yearsofageorolder onelectionday(Oct.15) •aB.C.residentforatleast sixmonthsimmediately beforethedayyouregistertovote •aCoquitlamresident

WHATDOINEED TOVOTE?

It’srequiredtobring oneormorepiecesof identificationtoapollingstationthatconfirms youridentityandplaceof residence,whichwillen-

sureyoureligibility.

Ifyou’realreadyaregisteredvoter,you’llonly needoneformofID.

Ifyou’renotregistered, you’reaskedtobringtwo piecesofID,includingone thatmusthaveasignature.

Acceptabledocuments includethefollowing:

•BCCareCard

•BCDriver’sLicence

•BCIdentificationCard issuedbyICBC

•BCServicesCard

•CanadianCitizenship Card

•Birthcertificate

•Creditordebitcard

•Currentpropertytax noticeissuedbythemunicipality

•SocialInsuranceCard

•SecureCertificateof IndianStatus(Status Card)

•Utilitybill(phone,hydro, gas,telephone,cable service,etc.)

•Validpassport

•VehicleinsurancedocumentsissuedbyICBC

•MinistryofSocial Developmentand EconomicSecurity RequestforContinued AssistanceFormSDES8

PORTMOODYvte smartCOQUITLAM

SCHOOLCANDIDATES

andwhy? Thenumberone issuethatIfeelisimportant isthatthecommunityneeds toreflectitsuniquevalues withintheschoolsystem. Coquitlamhasadiverse ethnicbase.Whenthese familiessharetheircultural richness,everyonebenefits. AsaschooltrusteeIwould liketocreateanopportunity toprovideaplatformforall oftheparentstobepartof theirchildren’slearningexperience.

GEOFFREYWAY

Age: 50

YearsasaCoquitlamresi dent: 10

Occupation:Managingdirector Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: M2W2prisonmentorship Website: parentsvoicebc.ca/ geoffreyway Email: geoffreyway@parentsvoicebc.ca Phone: 778-827-1067

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? I’msimply aCoquitlamconcerned parentwhowantsthebest educationpossibleformy childrenand,byextension, everyoneelse’schildrenas well.I’manon-partisandad whoisn’taffiliatedwithany politicalparty,locallyorna tionally.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Thereisadisconnectbetweentheeducation policyinSD43andthepar

entsinthecommunityitis supposedtoserve.Iwantto helpbringinmoreparental involvementsotheschool districtmoreappropriately reflectsthevaluesofour community.Asaparentwith childreninourschoolsystem,Iwanttohelpdevelop aricheducationallandscape forthebenefitofallstudents inourcommunity.

DANIELWESTLEY

Age: 62

YearsasaCoquitlamresident:5

Occupation:Accessibility professional Website:parentsvoicebc.ca/ danielwestley

Email: danielwestley@parentsvoicebc.ca

Phone: 778-831-0379

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Iamrunning forpublicofficeasacontinuationofmydesiretogive backtothecommunity.

What’syourNo.1issue

BELINDAWHEATLEY

Age:61

YearsasaCoquitlamresident: 26

Occupation: Montessori teacher.EarlyChildhood Educator.SpecialNeeds Educator(SEAinthepublic schoolsystem).Holisticnutritionist. Mostrecentcivic/volunteerwork:BarnabasFamily Campvolunteergardener, TarahumaraMexico IndigenousCamp,volunteer teacher,SchoolsforAfrica Project,fundraisedtorenovateaschoolandprovide supplies,volunteersoccer coach,TheVirtuesProject, teacher,Sparksleader. Website: parentsvoicebc.ca/ belindawheatley Email: belindawheatley@ parentsvoicebc.ca Phone: 778-858-9347 Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Asateacher, Iamveryconcernedabout thedirectionthatpublic

schoolsaretakingandthe effectsitishavingonour children.Iwouldliketosee moretransparency,opennessandaccountabilityto createhonestclassrooms andparentsinvolvement withdecisionmakingin theschools.Parentsarethe primaryeducatorsoftheir childrenanddeserverespect andinvolvement.Ibelieve allculturesinourcommunityshouldberepresented inourschoolstocreateunity inourdiversity.AsanimmigrantfromSouthAfrica (28yearsago),Iknowthe importanceofthis.Iwould liketoseeeverycultural groupbeingrecognizedand celebratedequallyinthe schools.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Weneedchange. Whyaresomanyparents pullingtheirchildrenoutof publicschoolstohomeschoolandwhyareindependentschoolsfulltocapacity

andoverflowing?Weneedto takeaseriouslookintothis. Therearesomebigissues thatneedtobechanged. Rememberyourtaxdollars payfortheschoolsandstaff andyetwearenotserving theverypeoplewhoarefinancingtheschools.Power needstobegivenbackto parents—theyneedavoice. Whydowenothavethebest schoolsintheworld?Weare notevenrankedinthetop 10.Why?

*CRAIGWOODS

Age: 49

YearsasaCoquitlamresident: 18 Occupation: ExternalrelationsattheIndustryTraining Authority Mostrecentcivic/volunteer work: CurrentCoquitlam Foundationboardmember andcurrentCMFSCsoccer coach.

Email: craigwoodsfor trustee@shaw.ca

Phone: 778-231-9663

Facebook:@ CraigWoodsforCoqTrustee

Whyareyourunningfor publicoffice? Ihavespent 20yearsprovidingeducation andtrainingservicesthrough non-profitorganizations, publicpost-secondaryinsti tutesandasapublicservant. Thiscombinedwithmy 13yearsofvolunteeringto supportparentsinschools onparentadvisorycommit tees,andasthepresidentof theDistrictParentAdvisory

Councilforfiveyears,Ibring in-depthexperienceand understandingofpubliceducationtoSD43.Withthat,I wanttocontinuetorepresent parentsandourcommunityatlargeasaCoquitlam trustee.

What’syourNo.1issue andwhy? Iwouldliketosee bettersupportsinschools andcommunityforstudent mentalhealthandwellbeing. Wecontinuouslyimprovein providingtheappropriate services,yetthereismore worktobedone.Through myroleontheMentalHealth TaskForceIwillcontinueto workonourschoolshaving boththeresourcestosupport studentsdirectlyandthe connectionstomentalhealth resourcesincommunity. Movingforward,Iwillalsobe advocatingforimprovedprocessesandpoliciesonhow schoolsgetapprovedtobe builtinourneighbourhoods intheTri-Cities.

GEOFFREYWAY

DANIELWESTLEY

BELINDAWHEATLEY

CRAIGWOODS

RE-ELECT MAYOR RICHARD STEWART

MayorRichardStewartisseekingone finaltermasMayor,inordertocomplete workthatwasinterruptedbythepandemic–particularlyhisMayorsforMental Healthinitiative,nowrenamedtoLocalLeadersforMentalHealth.

Richard’ssolidleadershipandvisionhelpsbuildconsensusandleadCoquitlam forward.Andhisextensiveexperienceandsound fiscal/financialdiscipline,along withhisvisionforavibrantcommunity,havehelpedmakeCoquitlamoneofBC’s best-runandmost-desirablecommunitiesinwhichtolive,workandplay.

RichardIsCommittedtoCoquitlam

RichardhaslivedallhislifeinCoquitlam,andhasbeeninvolvedineveryfacet–community,sports,artsandculture,hischurch,veterans,serviceclubs,PACsand DPAC,tree-planting,faithcommunities,scouting,mentalhealth,theenvironment, indigenousreconciliation,newcomers&refugees,etc.

MovingCoquitlamForward

-EnormousgainswithCoquitlam’sHousingAffordabilityStrategy -Newinvestmentsinpedestrianandschooltrafficsafety, firefighting,policing andpublicsafety, -Brokethe25-yearstalemateontheEvergreenLine,nowinsuccessful operation;

-AdvancedanewvisionformentalhealthatRiverview,withnewbedsandnew facilitiesopen;

-Award-winningGeothermalDistrict-EnergyandGHGreductions; -Morethan100acresofnewparks

LeadershipinManagement

-Putthecity’s financesbackon-track,rebuiltreserves,retireddebt; -Amongthelowesttaxincreasesintheregionoverthepastdecade; -AwardedBC’sTopEmployersaward fiveyearsrunning; -Multipleawardsformanagementprocesses,environment,climate,budgeting.

HousingAffordability

Richard’sbackgroundisinhousing,andhewantsourchildrentobeabletostay inourcommunitytoraisetheirownfamilies.Coquitlam’sacclaimedHousing AffordabilityStrategyhasproducedstrongresults,bothrentalhousingandhome ownership,withothercitiestakingnote.Butobviouslyonecitycan’tsolvethe region’shousingchallengesbyitself,soRichardisworkingonMetro’sRegional Housing&PlanningtoexpandourhousinginitiativesacrossMetroVancouver.

Let’skeepRichardStewart’s experienceandleadership workingforus.

CooperativeRelationships

Richardbelievesinpartnerships.Ourresidentsbenefitfromourproductivenew relationshipswithSchoolDistrict43,KwikwetlemFirstNation,MetroVancouver,and seniorgovernments.Thoserelationshipsbenefitourresidents,andareworththe timeittooktobuildthem.Thisisparticularlytruewithourrelationshipwithlocal indigenouscommunities,asweworktowardreconciliation.

Experienced

Strongpolicyexperienceatallfourlevelsofgovernment(includingregional), andacareerinhousing,affordability,buildingstandardsandurbanplanningand innovation.Particularlyinaddressingthecomplexchallengesoftoday,Richardlikely hastheperfectcombinationofknowledgeandexperiencetoleadusthroughthe nextfouryears.

Richardbelievesinconsensus-building,inworking withallofCounciltowardoutstandingpolicy.He isindependentofanyFederalorProvincialparty.

“Richardhasdrivenstrongconsensus-buildingacrossMetro Vancouver,gettingtheEvergreenSkytrainLinebuiltaftera 25-yearstalemate.He’snowworkingwithallcommunities inachievingregionalsolutionsonhousingaffordability, transportationnetworkimprovements,andeconomicprosperity –importantinitiativesthatwillbenefitCoquitlamresidentsand theentireregion.”

–AnmoreMayorJohnMcEwen