This is it, folks. The big show. The clash of the titans. The struggle for the municipal crown. It’s like Game of Thrones, only with fewer dragons and more discussions about the impact of solid waste rates on property taxes.
We reached out Mayor Richard Stewart and challenger Adel Gamar regarding density, Burke Mountain, taxes and transportation in Coquitlam.
Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 50 words. Responses are published in the order they were received. We were unable to contact candidate Mark Mahovlich.
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Find out where the Coquitlam mayoral candidates stand on . . . density
Find out where the Coquitlam mayoral candidates stand on . . . the environment
Find out where the Coquitlam mayoral candidates stand on . . . Burke Mountain
Now let’s meet the candidates.
Adel Gamar
How long have you lived in Coquitlam?
My family moved to Coquitlam in 1987.
Is Coquitlam adding the right kind of density? Why or why not?
Not in the correct balance with other infrastructure. Increasing density around public transit is a good strategy. However, current development has not been matched by the needed physical infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, benches, cycling paths) and social infrastructure (libraries, childcare, retail and recreation facilities). In addition to high density around transit, we also need a mix of housing options including light density housing, co-ops, and purpose-built rental.
Do you support Coquitlam’s long-term plan for growth on Burke Mountain? Why?
Growth in Burke Mountain must be balanced with environmental protection and adequate social and physical infrastructure. Burke Mountain neighbourhoods are currently starved of services and need increased bus service, a library, sport facilities and other amenities. There is also an opportunity for preserving land for outdoor leisure and recreation.
Are you in favour of building a residential neighbourhood at Christmas Way and Pheasant Street? (the TriCity Central project)
This development has now been approved. As mentioned above, I am in favour of increased density near transit with the requisite balance of physical and social infrastructure.
What is the biggest gap in Coquitlam’s cycling infrastructure?
Protected bike lanes.
What’s the biggest transportation problem in Coquitlam, and what should be done about it?
Traffic congestion, speeding, and unprotected bike lanes highlight that city planning has resulted in a car dependant city rather than a city that encourages walking and wheeling. New developments must be designed as walkable and wheelable. This is good for the environment and for the physical and mental wellbeing of residents.
Is the city doing enough to protect trees and waterways?
No. The current regulations imposed on developers at construction sites are neither strict enough nor effectively enforced. Construction runoff, sediment and other pollutants are damaging sensitive streams in these areas. It is the responsibility of the city to ensure that all development projects are bound by strict regulations that ensure the protection of our trees and waterways.
What should the council’s top priority be for the next term?
Collaboration with all levels of government to make progress on housing affordability, health care and job creation while working to gain the trust of residents by ensuring that decisions at city hall are transparent and accessible.
Is Coquitlam doing enough for the city’s homeless population? If not, what should the next council do?
More can be done. The provincial and federal governments have both indicated willingness to work with cities to help address the existing problem of homelessness, so again collaboration is required. We must also create long term accessible and supportive options for the unhoused while addressing the root causes of housing instability and homelessness.
Coquitlam council approved a 3.43 percent tax increase for 2022. Given the service levels in the city, is that too high, too low, or reasonable?
Reasonable.
Have you received campaign donations from developers?
No. I will not accept campaign contributions from developers. Regardless of whether it influences decisions on council or not, it erodes public trust.
Do you plan to release a list of your political donors before the election? If so, where can voters find that list?
I am able to make it available upon request.
What skills do you bring to city hall?
I bring leadership, policy making and governance experience. I also bring the willingness to listen, collaborate and mobilize others to make progress on our city’s greatest challenges.
Why should voters support you on Oct. 15?
Coquitlam is ready for change. Residents are looking for a mayor who will bring lived experience and a new perspective on how we can address our challenges. Coquitlam has not achieved its fullest potential. I am running to reimagine the future of our city that paves a more resilient, sustainable, inclusive city for everyone.
Richard Stewart (incumbent)
How long have you lived in Coquitlam?
I was born here, and have lived all my life in Coquitlam.
Is Coquitlam adding the right kind of density? Why or why not?
Yes. Adding needed housing near Skytrain stations reduces auto-dependence (as envisioned by Provincial Government, Metro 2050 Regional Plan, and sustainable planning principles), along with gentle density elsewhere. Metro Vancouver is bounded by mountains, ocean, agriculture, and U.S. Border; we need to remain a compact urban region to protect the environment/livability.
Do you support Coquitlam’s long-term plan for growth on Burke Mountain? Why?
While I wish Burke’s foothills hadn’t been designated for development a hundred years ago, our Urban Containment Boundary protects 95% of Burke Mountain from development. We’re making prudent choices, balancing protecting green space with supporting housing and community development, schools, large parks, etc. Important recent changes offer more-affordable housing options.
Are you in favour of building a residential neighbourhood at Christmas Way and Pheasant Street? (the TriCity Central project)
Yes. Proposed redevelopment of this multi-acre blacktop parking lot next to Skytrain provides a mixed-use neighbourhood, with both ownership and much-needed rental housing — including affordable housing — plus long-sought-after hotel/conference centre, retail/office, childcare. And fully 20% of the site is being restored to public parks and green space/open space.
What is the biggest gap in Coquitlam’s cycling infrastructure?
An avid commuter cyclist, I believe we need cycling infrastructure from Port Mann Bridge — Burnaby across south Coquitlam. We’ve inherited a challenging road configuration along United Boulevard, with multiple industrial driveways on both sides, making safe bike paths difficult to achieve, but fighting congestion and climate change demands it.
What’s the biggest transportation problem in Coquitlam, and what should be done about it?
The Brunette Interchange, the only interchange Province didn’t upgrade during Port Mann/Highway1 project. This sixties-era structure hasn’t been expanded since, despite population. Highways Ministry installed two traffic lights, further reducing capacity. We continue pressing Province for solution to remove congestion that block goods movement and impedes Tri-Cities’ access to RCH.
Is the city doing enough to protect trees and waterways?
We continue to increase investments in tree protection and tree planting (City is planting 10,000 trees in 2022), establishing new parks, and supporting urban forest. Continue working with Metro for improvements to outdated regional pipes, to prevent harm to streams. Adding real-time flow sensors/monitors, etc.
What should the council’s top priority be for the next term?
Infrastructure/amenities. Continue to provide/expand the infrastructure and amenities needed by residents. The new community centres in Maillardville and Burquitlam, the improved and expanded parks, road/traffic enhancements, renewal of aging infrastructure, etc. all contribute to livability. As we tackle housing crisis with additional needed housing, amenities keep our community livable.
Is Coquitlam doing enough for the city’s homeless population? If not, what should the next council do?
While homelessness is a provincial responsibility, Coquitlam has stepped up more than most cities, partnering with the province on homeless shelters, providing compassionate outreach to homeless population to direct to resources/services, pushing for expanded mental health/addiction programs/treatment, etc. And my Mayors for Mental Health initiative hopes to achieve much more.
Coquitlam council approved a 3.43 percent tax increase for 2022. Given the service levels in the city, is that too high, too low, or reasonable?
While that increase was approx. one point higher than the much lower numbers from previous years, it had to absorb significant one-time increases outside our control, including senior government downloading, the one-time retroactive RCMP settlement that the Federal Government dumped on cities, etc. Coquitlam’s taxes remain among the lowest.
Have you received campaign donations from developers?
My campaign is funded entirely by individuals as required by law. I/we accept no campaign donations from development companies, unions, corporations or foundations.
Do you plan to release a list of your political donors before the election? If so, where can voters find that list?
We continue to receive campaign contributions from individuals, often to the end of the campaign, and that list will be posted as soon as it is complete.
What skills do you bring to city hall?
Much knowledge/understanding of both local and provincial government structures and complexities; negotiating skills for finding local/regional solutions and senior government funding, alliances/partnerships with other agencies; career in affordable/innovative housing solutions; empathy, compassion, listening, communication; strong relationship with Kwikwetlem First Nation; conflict-resolution and consensus-building; working with immigrants/newcomers; passion for mental health.
Why should voters support you on Oct. 15?
Coquitlam is envied across region for the solutions we’ve brought to housing, infrastructure/amenities, award-winning management processes, fiscal responsibility, climate change, environmental stewardship. I am seeking one final term to complete work interrupted by pandemic, particularly my Mayors for Mental Health initiative, to help cities be part of mental health solutions.
