Are you a Coquitlam resident who’s trying to figure out who to vote for in this election? You’ve come to the right place!

Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out where political candidates are positioned on various issues, because they’re making vague promises in their platforms, they have limited time to speak at debates, and/or they’re not responsive to questions from residents.

Below are some charts, intended to give you a basic overview of where candidates stand on a number of issues, which are important to residents of Coquitlam. In addition to the “YES” or “NO” charts, candidates were asked a series of questions for which they could provide longer answers, which are also displayed below.

Every candidate, for council, mayor, and school board, was given one week to complete this questionnaire, and they were sent a reminder two days before the deadline. This article will be periodically edited, as late responses come in. Answers displayed for candidates who did not respond to the questionnaire are either listed as “DNR,” for “did not respond,” or they were found by researching the candidate’s public stances.

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COUNCIL

Rob Bottos

Do you support capping building construction by height, as opposed to by stories, to de-incentivize the construction of luxury units? 
*DNA* I need to learn more about this as I am not that familiar with the building code.

Do you support mandated percentages of affordable units, in new developments? 
*NO* As much as I want to say yes, I need to say no as I need to learn how this whole process works. Coquitlam presently operates on the incentive program, but when incentives fail, the sticks need to come out.

Have you, or will you, accept any donations from individuals who are connected to developers whose projects may come before Coquitlam Council?
*YES* To date, all my money has come from individuals, none of whom are in the development community. Until such time as the Provincial Government changes the law, it is legal for a developer or a business as an individual to make a donation. It’s hard enough as a working class person to raise funds to put on a campaign, and limiting my ability to put on an effective campaign against those who know people who can write $1200 cheques seems a tad unfair.

Should elected officials recuse themselves from voting on developments, if they have received donations from individuals associated with the developer/development in question?
*NO* It’s about context. If all 9 members of Council had received a donation, are they all supposed to recuse themselves? Or do you look at the amount of developer donations each received? I do not believe any Councilor would sell their vote, but in this age of perception vs. reality, perception wins out and optics do matter.
If you run a successful business, are a lawyer, or well connected in the labour/political system, it can be very easy to raise campaign funds. If you are a working class person such as myself, not endorsed by any organizations or connected to any powerful patrons, it is a real challenge to raise funds.
While developers typically only donate to incumbents, taking away the possibility to run a campaign on equal footing with the well monied and connected by taking away developer donations, seems a tad unfair and only reinforces the not talked about class division that exists in our political system.
If developer donations are bad, what about individual donations from politicians or labour figures? Where do we draw the line at perceived influence?
So, while I have received no developer donations, until such time as our Provincial Government truly levels the playing field, I can’t afford to say no to a developer if it means I can run a successfully funded campaign.

Should Coquitlam adopt an unconditional land-back position regarding the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation land claim? 
*NO* As far as I understand, the former Riverview Lands are owned by the Provincial Government, and it will be up to the Province and the Kwikwitlem First Nation to determine the fate of these lands, not the City.  

Should the current single-family residential zoning in Coquitlam be preserved? 
*YES* Where it makes sense, yes. We need a full range of housing in our community. Single fame residences are one part of the housing continuum.

Do you support creating more homeless shelters in Coquitlam? 
*NO* – I support creating transitional homes for those at 3030 Gordon to move into. I am so in favour of Port Moody and Port Coquitlam building their own homeless shelters in their communities to take pressure off of 3030 Gordon.

Should Coquitlam build separated, protected bike lanes?
*YES* Where it makes sense and there is a high danger of collisions between cyclists and motor vehicles.

What measures will you push for, to make housing more affordable? 
Put up City land for partnership with a not for profit. Lobby Province and Federal Government to do their jobs. 

How will you create more jobs in Coquitlam, so residents can find work where they live?
We must ensure we are building complete affordable communities with the necessary services and infrastructure. This includes commercial retail space for local jobs to  be created in. 

What will you do to mitigate congestion, as Coquitlam’s population grows?
Live, work, play. Create complete communities so our residents don’t need to leave the city for work. In 2016 75% of Coquitlam residents commuted elsewhere for work. Create mire cycle and walking paths, and advocate for greater transit services. Build communities that are not car reliant.

How will you support families? 
The best way to support families is to ensure we have housing options – both owner and rental and the services needed to support them in their neighborhoods so they can live, work, and play. We need to ensure we have enough parks and recreation facilities that keep pace with our growth 

How will you support small businesses?
Ensure we have commercial space for small businesses to operate in. When areas get redeveloped, we need to find a way to help existing businesses survive that transition as often if you relocate a business, you have to build new clientele.

What new infrastructure projects do you believe the city is in need of, currently?
We currently have no nightlife in Coquitlam, our young people need to leave the City and go into Vancouver. We only have 1 craft brewery in Coquitlam, we should have more. The majority of 8hr cultural and heritage events take place outdoors at our parks. Evergreen Cultural Centre has a limited capacity, we need a larger indoor venue to promote and preserve our diverse heritage while offering arts and cultural experiences.

How will you promote transparency and accountability within the Coquitlam municipal government? 
To be honest, I need to learn about this. I’d start by answering people’s questions truthfully. 

How do you propose the city make future Coquitlam elections more accessible, for equity seeking groups seeking representation? 
One of my main beefs with the NDP is their equity mandate as it means I am not seen as a desirable candidate. I don’t believe you can right a previous discrimination by creating new discrimination. As it stands right now, there is no cost to put your name on the nomination papers. We can look at ways to reduce costs such as the mailout but I don’t want to see minimum mandates or candidate minimums. You get the best candidates by making sure all who want to run are able to. Ultimately it is the electorate who will determine who represents them.

Phillip Buchan

What measures will you push for, to make housing more affordable? 
I will push for the city to sell city land at no cost to nonprofit organizations. I will work with the federal and provincial governments to build more Coops and work to rezone single family neighborhoods.

How will you create more jobs in Coquitlam, so residents can find work where they live? 
I want to reduce registration fees for small businesses so it is easier for them to open shop in our city.

What will you do to mitigate congestion, as Coquitlam’s population grows? 
I want to build more bike lanes with barriers to protect them from cars so we can get people out of their cars. I want to work with Translink to increase the frequency of bus service in our city.I want to make neighborhoods where people can walk or bike to work or to go shopping.

How will you support families? 
I want to push for more childcare centres in all new developments and build some more schools as some students are studying in portables right now.

How will you support small businesses? 
I want to lower taxes and fees on small businesses especially restaurants as they are having a really tough time as Covid rates are going down.

What new infrastructure projects do you believe the city is in need of, currently? 
I think the city has to work on upgrading the water and sewer systems as the number of new towers will put stress on these systems.

How will you promote transparency and accountability within the Coquitlam municipal government? 
I want the council meetings to be open as some of them are closed to the public or not accessible online. The way the budget is decided needs to be totally transparent.

How do you propose the city make future Coquitlam elections more accessible, for equity seeking groups seeking representation? 
I think the mailout to all residents should be free to all candidates and we should lobby the provincial government to change municipal campaign financing to be funded by the provincial government.

If you answered “yes” to mandated percentages of affordable units, please expand on which developments that might apply to, and what percentage you feel would be appropriate. 
I would say in all new developments, and my minimum number is 20% but preferred is 30%.

Mohammad Darwish

Do you support capping building construction by height, as opposed to by stories, to de-incentivize the construction of luxury units?
*NO* Builders use many metrics, including the cost per square foot, to determine if a project is viable. The standard floor height is around 8 feet, except for the top floor in some cases. To put that in perspective, my teenager has less than 2 feet room to maneuver around our place. With that in mind, taller buildings will have more apartments, which is important for creating more density and making housing more affordable.

Should Coquitlam measure the tree canopy, and ensure it does not decrease further?
*NO* Coquitlam is one of the greenest cities and we need to keep it that way. I think the city does a reasonably good job looking after our parks and green spaces.

Do you support expanding the Housing Choices Program, along major transportation routes?
*NO* Not without a comprehensive, citizen-centered plan focused on meeting the aspirations of people.

Do you support mandated percentages of affordable units, in new developments?
*NO* I do, however, support partnering and negotiating in good faith with builders to create affordable rental units. That is one step towards affordable housing.

Do you support triple net leases?
*NO* I do not believe investors should pass on the burden to residential renters to cover mortgage payments, strata fees, taxes, and other expenses. Investment properties are ought to provide a return upon selling in the long run. The near zero vacancy is creating a market condition where investors are demanding premium rent. In 2018, a 2 bedroom, 900 sq ft apartment in Coquitlam rented for around $1700. The same apartment is renting today for $2,700 to $3,000. We need to create more options if we are serious about making housing more affordable.

Should Coquitlam adopt an unconditional land-back position regarding the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation land claim?
*DNR* I was once accepted as part of the Ts’il Kaz Koh family. I have learned about the struggle, the generosity, the warmth, and sense of humor. I cannot have an opinion on this matter without having the opportunity to speak with the Elders. I hope this opportunity will come soon.

Should the current single-family residential zoning in Coquitlam be preserved?
*YES* However, in conversations with residents, some told me they do not wish to maintain a large property and are open to sharing their land. Could this be an opportunity to create more affordable housing?

Do you support creating more homeless shelters in Coquitlam?
*YES* But not in the traditional sense. That would be a short-term solution only. I believe we need a place where we can protect the vulnerable, get them back on their feet, and give them a chance at a better life.

Should Coquitlam build separated, protected bike lanes?
*NO* Road congestion is already a major issue. I think we need to encourage cycling as a healthy choice. At the same time, I think we need to educate drivers and cyclists to live in harmony. In my travels to Copenhagen, I was amazed to see drivers look out for fellow citizens and how cyclists follow road etiquette.

Will you push for a city-wide mail-out, with information about all candidates running in Coquitlam’s municipal elections, at no cost to the candidates, in order to ensure voters are well informed about their options (similar to the candidate profiles page of Coquitlam’s website)?
*NO* I think the city offers a reasonable cost-sharing program for city-wide mail-out. I opted not to participate. Does mailing hundreds of thousands of pamphlets that end up in the recycling bin help the environment?

Should government agencies have the right to block members of the public on social media, assuming they have not broken any laws?
*YES* Nicola, you have a great courage to advocate for issues that are often ignored by society. You inspire many of us. I think organizations in general have the prerogative to set the rules of engagement on their platforms as we have the choice to engage. I think mutual trust may have been broken at one point and I might have a way to mend it if you would allow me to try. (This is referencing the Coquitlam RCMP blocking Nicola Spurling on Twitter, after she filed Access to Information Requests and was critical of the department’s response).

What measures will you push for, to make housing more affordable?
The fundamental issue with housing is we are not creating supply faster than demand and until recently a good percentage of new developments was going to foreign investors. The Federal Government announced in Budget 2022 a ban on foreign investors purchasing residential property in Canada. This is a step in the right direction. Now we need to focus on creating the right type of housing for families.

How will you create more jobs in Coquitlam, so residents can find work where they live?
I have announced a comprehensive platform for creating more opportunities in our city. Here’s a plan how we can create more jobs and how my experience can help make it happen:
– Supporting small businesses creates jobs: I have years of experience building high-tech businesses that provide advanced technology to NASA among others.
– Building affordable office space creates jobs: I know from experience what entrepreneurs need to win. I am one.
– Opening satellite offices creates jobs: I have strong relationships with senior management at some of the top high-tech employers so I can get things going.
– Advocating for local health care services creates jobs: I can bring people together and build consensus.
– Read more about the platform @ https://Darwish4Coquitlam.ca

What will you do to mitigate congestion, as Coquitlam’s population grows?
We can mitigate congestion by creating local opportunities that don’t require long commutes, but ones that are within a walking distance:
– Building more essential services so that our community is self-reliant. This means having all the essential resources and job opportunities near our doorstep.
– Partnering with the best high-tech employers to open satellite offices for their people who live in Coquitlam.

How will you support families?
We can support families when we:
– Invest to make sports activities more available to our children.
– Build the right type of family housing.
– Keep employment local so families can spend more quality time together.
– Modernize condo laws to remove the burden on homeowners.

How will you support small businesses?
I have proposed two key initiatives for supporting small businesses:
– Creating a marketing program so small businesses reach more customers and grow.
– Creating a co-op supply program so small businesses can obtain affordable supplies and resources.
– Please read more @ https://facebook.com/Darwish4Coquitlam

What new infrastructure projects do you believe the city is in need of, currently?
In conversation with residents, I have heard the need for local health care services and more sports facilities especially ice rinks.

How will you promote transparency and accountability within the Coquitlam municipal government?
I will lead by example.

How do you propose the city make future Coquitlam elections more accessible, for equity seeking groups seeking representation?
Speaking from personal experience, the city staff responsible for elections has made it very easy for me to participate. The fact that we have 22 people running for Councillor is a testimony and good for democracy.

Brian Misera

What measures will you push for, to make housing more affordable?
Increasing vacancy taxes, disallowing foreign ownership, supporting Land Owner Registry, outlawing corporations to purchase homes.

How will you create more jobs in Coquitlam, so residents can find work where they live?
Support business friendly policies for entrepreneurs i.e. pay no tax for the first 5 years of opening a business.

What will you do to mitigate congestion, as Coquitlam’s population grows?
Support a light rail across the tri-cities, increased service for the West Coast Express and late night skytrain service.

How will you support families?
Support policies that recognize foreign earned certifications (within reason).

How will you support small businesses?
DNR

What new infrastructure projects do you believe the city is in need of, currently?
Transit or more roads along Lougheed Highway

How will you promote transparency and accountability within the Coquitlam municipal government?
All expenses shared publicly, regular presence and communication on social media to be cognizant of most pressing issues.

How do you propose the city make future Coquitlam elections more accessible, for equity seeking groups seeking representation?
DNR

Do you support your constituents’ Charter right to Freedom of Expression, even if they may use that right to be critical of you?
*YES* I absolutely support Canadians’ right to express themselves and to criticize me 100%. I expect it. Criticism is an essential part of Free Speech and transparent governance. Anyone who doesn’t support this, doesn’t know history and shouldn’t be vying for a position in public office.

Benjamin Perry

What measures will you push for, to make housing more affordable?
– Inclusionary zoning (requiring affordability)
– Vacancy control
– Standards of maintenance bylaw
– Action plan based on housing needs report from Feb 2022
– Review of entire OCP
– Expand housing choices program citywide
– Fast track approval for below-market projects

How will you create more jobs in Coquitlam, so residents can find work where they live?
Every condominium should be mixed use, or the developer should provide equivalent commercial space in another development. Council must find more commercial, industrial and flexible space around the city. There should be employment space within a 10 minute walk of every residential area. Small business startup space (e.g. studio / office/ recreational) area needs to be identified. Commercial and industrial space should not be re-zoned for residential.

What will you do to mitigate congestion, as Coquitlam’s population grows?
Residents need to be provided the option to live car-free. Developing so all services are within a safe, accessible 10-minute walk/roll should be a primary principle of planning. Parking minimums should be removed within a 10 minute walk/bus of skytrain. Translink should be lobbied, and supported in funding measures to improve bus and other transit network. Coquitlam should develop along major transit routes instead of creeping further into forested lands and away from services/transit. City should triple investment in biking/rolling/walking infrastructure and decrease focus on expanding roads.

How will you support families?
Council needs to incentivize and require family-sized units in new developments. Coquitlam needs to increase availability of recreation programs for young children 0-5. Increased commercial space during residential development could include negotiation for childcare spaces. Recreation department should investigate business plan for daycare provision.

How will you support small businesses?
Mixed use should be the standard for condominium developments. Identify areas for new flexible, affordable business startup space that is not as desirable for national/international retailers (e.g. away from major thoroughfares, less parking, multistorey, small square footage etc)

What new infrastructure projects do you believe the city is in need of, currently?
– Separated, protected bike lanes
– Safe lighted walking paths
– Public washrooms
– Cooling/warming centres for extreme weather
– Stormwater management– cisterns, wetlands, dykes, permeable surfaces
– Recreation facilities – swimming pools, activity and class spaces, childcare spaces parks
– Outdoor greenspaces for residents

How will you promote transparency and accountability within the Coquitlam municipal government?
I would like to publish an easy-to-read voter card like Councillor Boyle in Vancouver has, alternatively, city staff could publish such a card I would like members of the government to pledge not to take money from people associated with property developers and to recuse themselves from planning decisions regarding their developments.

How do you propose the city make future Coquitlam elections more accessible, for equity seeking groups seeking representation?
The mail-out is one of the biggest barriers to participation in the election – the city could pay for the postage. Improved participation in council meetings would also help bring equity-seeking groups along. Council can take an active role in engaging equity seeking groups by providing more opportunities for public input on city activities, and by making timely invitations to organizations representing these groups to attend relevant council and committee meetings.

If you answered “yes” to mandated percentages of affordable units, please expand on which developments that might apply to, and what percentage you feel would be appropriate.
Multi-unit and mixed-use strata developments should be required to include affordable rental. Small developments (e.g. less than 10 units) should be exempt from this policy. Percentages and definition of affordability should be based on housing needs identified in housing needs report. New Westminster has a 3-option policy that includes a range of 5% (for shelter rate/geared to income units donated at no cost) up to 20% (for units sold to non-profit at a discount) Coquitlam could include formulas that target seniors housing, shelter housing, and housing for families (e.g. 3 bedroom units). 20% is a good starting place for simple affordable units sold at below-market. We then need to track progress using housing needs analysis and if we are not improving housing affordability fast enough, then we need to consider increasing the affordability requirements.

Should Coquitlam have called a by-election when Bonita Zarrillo’s seat was vacated?
*YES* Coquitlam broke the election rules by not calling a by-election. However, it was quite close to the general election and would have drawn away financial and human resources from other operations, so there is some logic to their decision.

Do you support expanding the Housing Choices Program, along major transportation routes?
*YES* This could be done along major transportation routes. But perhaps the scale of upzoning we need is a little more ambitious – to expand housing choices city-wide, and allow up to 5 stories buildings along identified major transit routes.

Have you, or will you, accept any donations from individuals who are connected to developers whose projects may come before Coquitlam Council?
*NO* I think it would be important to define this question going forward. For example, I would not want to have to refuse donations from homeowners that might want to convert their detached home into a fourplex, likewise, I would not want to include small local general contractors that are building one home at a time. A definition like “people who hold executive positions in large real estate development companies, or their family members, with specifics application to companies that build multiple homes at once and whose companies are likely to come to council with a development application.” would be a way to define who we are talking about. Even then, if a homeowner who contributed to my campaign had a development application before council, I would need to disclose, and possibly recuse myself from the process.

Do you support your constituents’ Charter right to Freedom of Expression, even if they may use that right to be critical of you?
Should government agencies have the right to block members of the public on social media, assuming they have not broken any laws?
It is important that residents (and non-residents with an interest) should be able to criticize our government. This is one of the freedoms we enjoy in Canada. No one should be disallowed from speaking – including blocking on social media – unless they are violating human rights, breaking the law, or engaging in spam (e.g. selling sunglasses or other promotion.)

Ali Tootian

What measures will you push for, to make housing more affordable? 
The price of housing should be discussed with the developers before they get permission. They
cannot sell as they wish. If they cannot or are not willing to work with this condition, they can allow and empty the fields for others to come forward. Others may expect less than what the current developers expect.

How will you create more jobs in Coquitlam, so residents can find work where they live?
When we serve well and in a variety of ways, people from other areas will come here for business. This is happening in Vancouver, and that is why a lot of people of Coquitlam go there for different services and opportunities. We only offer restaurants and hair salons in Coquitlam, no entertainment, and no indoor arenas of any type. How would we attract anyone?

What will you do to mitigate congestion, as Coquitlam’s population grows?
Stop inviting too many people in a short time. Make the infrastructure ready first, or parallel to population growth.

How will you support families?
Too general to answer.

How will you support small businesses?
Only permit to new businesses with new ideas. For example, do not give permits to a hair salon side by side.

What new infrastructure projects do you believe the city is in need of, currently?
Entertainment centre, indoor sports arena, indoor cultural centre with a capacity much higher than Evergreen, another college.

How will you promote transparency and accountability within the Coquitlam municipal government?
We need to use the website of city hall and educate people about their rights. We need more connection with the public. When was the last time the city sent any survey to all homes? The data collected in some surveys are biased because they are collected improperly. Wrong or biased sampling is visible.

How do you propose the city make future Coquitlam elections more accessible, for equity seeking groups seeking representation?
The seats for the council should be properly considered/divided for the population’s majority/minority segments.

If you answered “yes” to mandated percentages of affordable units, please expand on which developments that might apply to, and what percentage you feel would be appropriate. 
I am not about the percentage yet, but the current condition is not making housing affordable.

Carl Trepanier

What measures will you push for, to make housing more affordable?
– Rent to own programs
– Walk-out suites in higher density areas near transit
– Need subsidized housing from provincial and federal governments

How will you create more jobs in Coquitlam, so residents can find work where they live?
Let businesses be businesses, and make sure the framework for local businesses is fair, and services are fair. We need more family doctors. Work with developers to spec family practices in new builds, in the same way childcare spaces are spec’d.

What will you do to mitigate congestion, as Coquitlam’s population grows?
– Densify around amenities
– E-bikes could help navigate the city without needing cars

How will you support families?
– High quality affordable parks, recreation, amenities
– Means testing subsidized and low-cost activities for families
– Working with schools to figure out a solution to preschool shortage

How will you support small businesses?
Letting them be businesses. They shouldn’t have to jump through hoops.

What new infrastructure projects do you believe the city is in need of, currently?
Some older neighbourhoods need upgrades, but we aren’t in dire need of new infrastructure.

How will you promote transparency and accountability within the Coquitlam municipal government?
Citizens need to call for accountability within their government, but the city’s bigger issue is not a lack of transparency, rather that information could be better organized, to make it more accessible.

How do you propose the city make future Coquitlam elections more accessible, for equity seeking groups seeking representation?
Start planting seeds earlier about what the government does, how it works, why it’s important, and how equity seeking groups can play a role in this.

If you answered “yes” to mandated percentages of affordable units, please expand on which developments that might apply to, and what percentage you feel would be appropriate.
Yes as an aspiration, but micro-targeted to the best advantage on a per-building basis.

Do you believe elected officials should serve in the community they live in?
*NO* But they should have a connection of some kind to the city

Do you support capping building construction by height, as opposed to by stories, to de-incentivize the construction of luxury units?
*NO* Doesn’t matter either way – prescribe affordable units clearly instead.

Do you support triple net leases?
*YES* Don’t support policies that make them unsustainable.

Do you support implementing a maintenance bylaw, to ensure common areas on private property, such as mobile home parks, are well maintained, for the safety of residents?
*NO* Needs provincial mandate, but would support it if it’s in the city’s jurisdiction.

Should elected officials recuse themselves from voting on developments, if they have received donations from individuals associated with the developer/development in question?
*NO* Need to ensure elected officials are not making decisions that appear to be strictly yes votes for their backers.

Should Coquitlam adopt an unconditional land-back position regarding the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation land claim?
*NO* Because ‘unconditional’ is the problem, and there may be overlapping claims.

Do you support creating more homeless shelters in Coquitlam?
*YES* But needs provincial & federal funding to install & operate.

Should government agencies have the right to block members of the public on social media, assuming they have not broken any laws?
*YES* But not as revenge for holding the government accountable.

Trish Mandewo

I just wanted to let you know that personally, I am drowning in surveys.  I have so many and I am trying my best to balance door knocking, meet and greets, all candidate events etc.  There aren’t enough hours in a day.  With signs going up today,  I will see if I can squeeze in time to write.  Please know that if you don’t get my responses, it’s not from a place of disrespect.

Robert Mazzorolo

I appreciate you drafting this questionnaire.  Unfortunately, I did not have the time this week to complete it as this past week was our busiest yet with respect to all candidate meetings.  Add this to the other questionnaires I received before yours that I have been working on, and my election strategy to hit 30,000 doors personally before the election, I didn’t have the time to complete it.  If you are willing to provide an extension, I can try and work on it tomorrow night and the night after that.  If not, I understand, as you state you have a deadline to meet for your article that you are publishing.

Paul Lambert

Attached is my (mostly) completed questionnaire. I’m sorry I missed your last email because I would have just finished it a day or 2 after the deadline. Thank you for being so reasonable with everyone, I really appreciated what you said in your email.

Ben Craig
Did not respond (DNR)

Matt Djonlic
Did not respond (DNR)

Sean Lee
Did not respond (DNR)

Cameron McBryer
Did not respond (DNR)

Leslie Roosa
Did not respond (DNR)

Zoe Royer
Did not respond (DNR)

Harvey Su
Did not respond (DNR)

Brent Asmundson
Did not respond (DNR)

Craig Hodge
Did not respond (DNR)

Steve Kim
Did not respond (DNR)

Dennis Marsden
Did not respond (DNR)

Teri Towner
Did not respond (DNR)

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MAYOR

Adel Gamar

What measures will you push for, to make housing more affordable?
In addition to the above answer, you can read more about my Housing priorities on our campaign website gamarforcoquitlam.com

How will you create more jobs in Coquitlam, so residents can find work where they live?
Creating jobs, supporting existing business, and increasing opportunities for new business to set up in Coquitlam are high priorities. I will work to make the City of Coquitlam a livable wage employer and encourage building small retail spaces that are affordable so small business can open and thrive.

What will you do to mitigate congestion, as Coquitlam’s population grows?
DNR

How will you support families?
You can read more about my Families, Children & Public Spaces priorities on our campaign website gamarforcoquitlam.com

How will you support small businesses?
Small business are the backbone of our local economy. I take great pride in the work done through Gamar Foundation to promote and celebrate the businesses in our community. Take a look at our YouTube channel here.

What new infrastructure projects do you believe the city is in need of, currently?
Social infrastructure such as additional library branches, community centres, childcare centres, parks and plazas.

How will you promote transparency and accountability within the Coquitlam municipal government?
To ensure transparency and build trust with residents, the mayor must inform and update residents on major developments, initiatives, and decisions of importance to the public. The mayor should also provide regular opportunities for residents to share their ideas and concerns.
Some opportunities that I would use to achieve this include bi-weekly updates from the mayor’s office, quarterly city-wide town halls, and an annual state of the city address.

How do you propose the city make future Coquitlam elections more accessible, for equity seeking groups seeking representation?
We must break barriers to the involvement of underrepresented groups by engaging and welcoming them and their advocates, providing access to information and offering training and mentoring opportunities.

If you answered “yes” to mandated percentages of affordable units, please expand on which developments that might apply to, and what percentage you feel would be appropriate.
The cost of housing is one of the biggest barriers for Coquitlam residents to stay and thrive in our city. Coquitlam needs bold housing initiatives which include Inclusionary Development Program requirements. A start would be a minimum of 15% of units in new construction must be deemed affordable. This would apply to buildings of 10 or more units.

Richard Stewart

The Yes/No section is problematic, as I typically don’t opt to do that since for so many questions either answer is at least partly false.

Mark Mahovlich
Did not respond (DNR)

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SCHOOL BOARD

Jennifer Blatherwick

How will you support transparency and accountability within the school board?
Continuing to support and increase access to our regular meetings with groups such as the District Parent Advisory, the municipalities, the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm nation, and educators.  Any person is welcome to attend our public board meetings, which are now online, and submit questions. 
Coquitlam School District also participates in the survey conducted by the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) at UBC, which seeks information from students about how they are doing in school, starting in kindergarten with the Early Development survey, and then in Grades 4 and 7 with the Middle Development survey.  The independent body publishes the results on their website which is open to all the public, and tracks the results over time.  You can see the results for Coquitlam here.  Coming up in this next term, there will be an expansion to the Youth Development survey, which will ask older students about their experience.  I’m the co-chair of the Tri-Cities Children’s Research Action Team, an independent group of representatives that are developing research-based recommendations about how to improve the well-being of children in our community, partially based on the information in the HELP surveys.

What actions will you take to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion, on the school board, and within schools?
I also supported our first Equity Scan, which individually asked the students and families of Indigenous heritage how we can improve our support for students, and those results are publicly available.  The questionnaire will be repeated and results published, so we are accountable to the public on how our system is changing to remove barriers. 
In the future, with the passing of the Anti-Discrimination Data Act (ADDA) the school district will be able to work with community groups to use disaggregated data to understand how systemic discrimination is affecting populations within schools.  It is important to note that this data must be used responsibly, carefully and securely for the best interests of each group, and every effort be made to ensure that the data does no harm to the communities from which it is sourced. 
I am actively looking to support or mentor candidates with diverse experience that are hoping to join the school board in the future.  Please if you are interested, contact me.

How will you support and uplift students struggling with the affordability crisis?
For younger students, the affordability crisis is seen through the lens of family.  Behind the cost of housing, the biggest concern for parents of young children is finding dependable childcare. Inclusive spaces hosted on school grounds reduce stress on families, make better academic outcomes for children, and help secure stable staffing. As the Chair of the Child Care Task Force, I worked with government, parents, educators and non-profits to streamline hosting childcare on school grounds.  I am happy to say that elementary schools are opening with childcare on their grounds right away, and I support expanding that access.
However, there are additional concerns that have arisen out of the spiraling costs – food security, affordable housing, and the effects of the drug poisoning crisis. I am on the Homelessness Task Force, as well as the Tri-Cities Opioid Overdose Community Action Team.  As a board member and volunteer for ACCESS Youth, which supports students who are vulnerable to homelessness and other struggles, I have seen first hand how important it is to connect students to housing, health and employment supports. I also volunteer for the Immigrant Link Centre Society by collecting and delivering food donations – their hampers feed 4,000 people a month, many of them students in SD43.

How will you ensure that supports for students are distributed equitably?
Individual supports for students are decided by educators and professionals, but the board does set the broad policy that provides a framework for those decisions.

What steps will you take to make SD43 more environmentally friendly?
Although SD43 designs each construction to a LEED Gold standard, we are also now showing the province plans for school buildings that are constructed to Net Zero.  I have also personally advocated to the provincial government for a quick development of the mass timber program, which will provide safe and more environmentally friendly construction options for our large buildings, as well as for the increased funding that will let us build to Net Zero.
SD43 has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40% in comparison to our 2010 levels, and is on track to exceed our 2030 targets.  However, it will be difficult to meet our 2050 targets without substantial changes to our energy infrastructure, which largely relies on less-expensive natural gas heating and cooling.  I fully support transitioning to a sustainable energy plan using renewable sources, and look forward to the opening of school like Coast Salish which will have energy generating features like solar panel banks on the roof. 

How will you encourage reconciliation?
The district and the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm nation, on whose traditional and unceded territory the district sits, have met and signed a Local Education Agreement (LEA) which is a blueprint for how we will proceed in supporting students and the educational goals of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm people together. 
The district is also committed to supporting United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and the Tri-Partite Agreement, which is between the First Nations Education Steering Committee, the federal government and the provincial government.  All those things are good and necessary at a systems level and I support them. 
Reconciliation is a personal responsibility as well as a public one. I feel it is my responsibility to lift up the experiences and voices of Indigenous people while learning from their teachings, decolonizing my thinking. I meet with community elders and listen to their truth of the interactions between Canada and Indigenous peoples, and keep those words in mind in my decisions.

Do you support SOGI education?
*YES*  Sexual orientation and gender identity discussions in school are health and science based.  These conversations are there to provide students with factual information, and an understanding that everyone’s choices about their bodies deserve respect.  Discussions are age appropriate.  If any parents have concerns, please contact your child’s school – they would be happy to share information with you. Educators are partners in keeping children healthy and safe.

How will you help to make education more accessible?
Accessibility is a developing challenge, where students with diverse needs and abilities are affected by the affordability crisis more than others. One challenge is the physical space, especially in older buildings, which can be challenging for students with mobility issues, and I will continue to advocate for inclusive buildings.  There is also the challenge of learning supports, where students are not provided with the tools they need to be successful. I will continue to ask for funding from the provincial government, budget within the district, and accountability for developing classrooms that are universally designed for learning. 

Will you uphold the Charter of Rights and Freedoms?
*YES* Section 2 of the Charter guarantees to all Canadians freedom of religion, belief, assembly, and association. Schools have a duty of care for students, and although are flexible to some extent, do exercise control over schedules, attendance, and expression of certain beliefs, especially those that are discriminatory or harmful to other students. SD43 does not enforce a unified dress code, but does forbid the wearing of clothing with racist of discriminatory language.

Should government agencies, such as SD43, have the right to block members of the public on social media?
*NO* Government agencies are responsible to the public, and should allow and respond to all legal interactions.   However, threats of violence, discriminatory or racist language, and images of an illegal nature should not be tolerated.

Craig Woods

How will you support transparency and accountability within the school board?
I have and will continue to support the Districts efforts surrounding parent and public engagement at our public board meetings, our annual budget review process, and with key emergent matters as they arise.

What actions will you take to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion, on the school board, and within schools?
Building on my years of supporting diversity in the workplace campaigns, and more recently leading efforts to support the Be More Than A Bystander program, I will work with all Trustees on the Board openly and collaboratively and support staff and Trustee representation of the community we live in.

How will you support and uplift students struggling with the affordability crisis?
DNR

How will you ensure that supports for students are distributed equitably?
DNR

What steps will you take to make SD43 more environmentally friendly?
We have implemented an environmental stewardship component in to our strategic plan. A commitment to being environmentally friendly is woven in to the fabric of our purpose and shows up in our education of students, energy retrofit projects and new building design.

How will you encourage reconciliation?
By practicing and modelling an evolution of supports and understanding of the truth. By continuing to build and maintain relations with the Kwitkwetlem people. By supporting our Indigenous Education team to continue to teach us and our students.

Geoffrey Way

Sorry I’m not going to meet your deadline. Feel free to pull from or link to my profile in your publication.

Chuck Denison
Did not respond (DNR)

Belinda Wheatley
Did not respond (DNR)

Daniel Westley
Did not respond (DNR)

Carol Cahoon
Did not respond (DNR)

*All candidates have been sent an email welcoming them to submit their responses late, and I will do my best to provide updates, as I’m able. Please encourage all candidates to respond, so we have an opportunity to understand how they will represent us in government.*

For more information about where candidates stand on important issues, I’ve compiled clips from the Chamber debate according to issue, with time codes listed for quick and easy viewing:

Election Date: October 15th, 2022

– Nicola Spurling –