Coquitlam mayoral candidate describes insults and abuse on campaign trail

Preparing to make what would be her final remarks as a member of Coquitlam council, Trish Mandewo initially seemed overwhelmed with emotion.

Over the next few minutes she would express gratitude for her time in office but also surprise and revulsion at the insults and abuse she’d suffered during her mayoral campaign.

As she took a deep breath, Mayor-elect Craig Hodge patted Mandewo on the shoulder.

Mandewo had kind words for volunteers, city staff, colleagues, and Hodge, her competitor in the mayoral race. However, she also addressed the onslaught of hatred she experienced during the campaign.

“When your 22-year-old daughter has to protect you from social media by deleting it before you see it, it’s not OK,” she said. “Democracy gives you the opportunity to vote . . . that doesn’t give you the right to abuse people.”

Mandewo said she’d never experienced anything like that in the city.

“I’ve always been so proud of Coquitlam,” she said. “I was shocked at the kind of people we have in Coquitlam.”

She thanked her fellow councillors for their support and encouragement and referenced the jokes she’d shared with Hodge throughout the campaign.

“You have been the good human that I expected you to be,” she told Hodge.

During his remarks, outgoing Mayor Richard Stewart also spoke at length about the importance of political disagreements that – unlike dispute in the hyper-partisan world of provincial politics – are productive and respectful.

“I love having a diverse council with no political parties . . . simply nine independent people with nine independent perspectives,” he said.

However, that way of doing politics is under threat from online attacks filled with vitriol and misinformation.

“People say you need thick skin to be in politics. No, I don’t think you do. I think you need empathy and understanding,” he said.

As the attacks become both more prolific and more personal, it’s hard to protect your own mental health, he said.

“I’ve got to tell you . . . I’m not as good at it as I thought I was.”

If those type of online attacks continue, there’s a risk of fewer decent people standing for office, Stewart said.

“We’ll attract those that thrive on conflict, that thrive on the cut and thrust of vicious nasty politics,” he warned.

Following his election loss after campaigning for mayor of the city, Adel Gamar addressed the toll of the campaign.

“It’s a multi-generational, multi-lingual, multi-cultural city,” a visibly emotional Gamar told his supporters on election night 2022. “We don’t see that representation because, I have to be honest with you, it’s not easy running. . . You knock on the door and sometimes it’s not that easy.”

Mandewo said she was leaving council chambers but not necessarily leaving public service.

“I leave with my heart full,” Mandewo said. “Thank you, Coquitlam. It indeed has been an honour.”