Q&A with Laura Dupont, NDP candidate for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam

Name: Laura Dupont

Party: New Democratic Party (NDP)

U.S. Relations

Canada–U.S. trade relations have become increasingly tense. The new Trump administration has threatened our sovereignty, and initiated a trade war impacting Canadian jobs, manufacturing, agriculture, and energy exports.

Amid U.S. nationalist and protectionist policies, should Canada be trying to repair its relationship with our southern neighbour?

What steps should Canada take to protect its economy?

Canada must stand up to Trump’s threats and protect our sovereignty. We’ll diversify trade by strengthening ties with our European and Asian allies, support Canadian industries, and prioritize made-in-Canada jobs over corporate giveaways to U.S. giants.

Affordability & Cost of Living

Inflation has moderated but remains a significant concern. Many Canadians are struggling with stagnant wages, rising rents, and the high cost of essentials like groceries and fuel. Food bank use has hit record highs.

What is your plan to address the rising cost of living, especially housing, groceries, and transportation, which continue to outpace wages for many Canadians?

We’ll take on corporate price gouging, build affordable housing, and expand public transit. We’ll make big grocers and oil companies pay their fair share and reinvest that in long-term affordability. It’s not fair that corporations are making record profits while you struggle.

Do you believe price-fixing is a systemic issue? If so, how should it be addressed?

Yes, it’s systemic. We’ll expand enforcement, break up monopolies, and tax corporate windfalls that exploit Canadians. Canada has a proud history of strong public services, and we should consider expanding this in key industries.

Housing Crisis

Canada faces a severe housing shortage, particularly in major cities. CMHC estimates the country needs over 3.5 million new homes by 2030 to restore affordability. Homelessness is rising, and many young Canadians are locked out of the housing market.

What specific measures will you take to increase the supply of affordable housing?

We’ll build 3 million new affordable homes and stop wealthy speculators and large corporations from buying up all our homes and distorting the market. We’ll build public housing on public land and expand co-ops and social housing fast.

How will you address homelessness and ensure vulnerable populations have access to secure housing?

We’ll fund permanent supportive housing with wraparound services and stop criminalizing poverty. Everyone deserves a safe home. Canada is a wealthy country and can afford to make sure everyone has the basics.

Climate Change and Energy

Canada is not currently on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement. Extreme weather events like wildfires and floods are becoming more frequent, and many governments are transitioning away from fossil fuels to clean energy.

How should Canada balance priorities regarding its natural resources and climate policy?

New Democrats fight for workers, not for Big Oil billionaires. We’ll end fossil fuel subsidies, invest in clean energy, and support workers through a Just Transition. Climate justice means good union jobs and protecting our planet. Currently, too much of our tax money is going to large oil and gas corporations that already make huge profits.

What are your party’s concrete targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions between now and 2030, and how will you ensure accountability?

Cut emissions 50 percent by 2030. Enforce with sector caps, polluter accountability, and binding legislation.

Health Care

Health systems across provinces are under pressure. Staffing shortages, long ER wait times, and limited access to family doctors are widespread.

How will you address the shortage of family doctors and long wait times in emergency rooms across the country?

We have public health care because the NDP fought for it. We’ll train more doctors, recognize international credentials, and improve working conditions to retain staff.

Do you support expanding public health care to include dental care, pharmacare, and mental health services? If so, how will it be funded and implemented?

We’ll expand public health care to include dental, pharmacare, and mental health—funded through fair taxes on the ultra-wealthy and big corporations.

Indigenous Reconciliation

Progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and the MMIWG Inquiry’s Calls for Justice has been slow.

What steps should be taken regarding the TRC’s Calls to Action and the MMIWG Inquiry’s Calls for Justice?

We’ll fully implement TRC and MMIWG recommendations with Indigenous leadership.

How will you approach equitable access to clean water, health care, housing, and education in Indigenous communities?

We support Indigenous self-governance, clean water access, and equitable housing, health, and education—no more delays.

Economic Inequality & Tax Reform

Wealth inequality is growing in Canada. The wealthiest Canadians have seen major gains, while lower- and middle-income households face stagnating or declining real incomes. Corporate profits remain high, yet some large companies pay minimal tax.

Do you support changes to Canada’s tax system? If so, what specific reforms do you propose?

Yes—we’ll tax the ultrarich and corporations fairly, close loopholes, and bring in a wealth tax.

How would you reduce income inequality?

We’ll raise wages, strengthen unions, and invest in public services that reduce inequality. Our plan taxes those at the top to pay for the services you need.

Technology, Misinformation & AI

The rise of artificial intelligence and digital misinformation threatens public trust, job security, and democratic institutions. Canada has yet to pass comprehensive legislation to regulate AI and social media algorithms.

How will your government address the growing influence of misinformation, particularly regarding discourse on U.S. tech platforms?

What safeguards will you put in place regarding the development and use of AI in Canada, including impacts on jobs, privacy, and ethics?

We’ll regulate AI to protect jobs, privacy, and democracy. We’ll hold tech giants accountable, ban algorithmic discrimination, and fund journalism to fight misinformation.

Democratic Reform

Many Canadians feel alienated from federal politics. The 2015 Liberal promise of electoral reform was abandoned. Concerns over transparency, lobbying, and accountability continue to erode trust.

Do you support electoral reform to move away from the first-past-the-post system? Why or why not?

Yes—Canadians deserve proportional representation. This broken promise is one of the fundamental betrayals of the Trudeau Liberal government.

What will you do to restore public trust in government institutions and political transparency?

We’ll make every vote count, curb corporate influence, and strengthen transparency rules to restore trust.

Immigration

Canada has ambitious immigration targets, but there’s growing concern about whether infrastructure—especially housing, transit, and social services—can keep pace.

What is your plan for balancing immigration with infrastructure and housing capacity, particularly in high-demand cities?

We support immigration, but the federal government must invest in housing, transit, and services.

Should Canada’s immigration targets be adjusted?

We’ll work with cities to ensure infrastructure matches growth. Targets must reflect real capacity.

Crime & Public Safety

Concerns about violent crime, organized crime, gun violence, and safety in public spaces have increased in many communities. At the same time, experts emphasize the need for evidence-based approaches that focus on prevention, mental health supports, and root causes. There’s also ongoing debate about bail reform, policing budgets, and systemic inequities in the justice system.

What is your plan to address crime and improve public safety, particularly in urban settings?

We’ll address root causes: poverty, addiction, and housing.

How will your approach balance enforcement with investments in mental health, addiction treatment, housing, and poverty reduction as part of a long-term strategy for safer communities?

We’ll invest in prevention, not just punishment, and reform the justice system to ensure a more equitable and evidence-based approach.

Toxic Drug Crisis & Public Health Response

Canada’s toxic drug crisis continues to worsen, with more than 50,000 deaths since 2016, driven largely by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The crisis affects people across age groups, income levels, and regions, and is closely tied to mental health, poverty, and homelessness. Provinces and cities are calling for stronger federal leadership on harm reduction, treatment, and decriminalization.

What is your plan to address the toxic drug crisis?

We support safe supply, decriminalization, and expanding treatment.

How will you expand access to addiction treatment, mental health care, and long-term supports to prevent overdose deaths and help people recover?

We’ll declare this a national public health emergency and fund real, accessible recovery programs. Our plan to address the housing crisis will also ease this crisis. The costly, inefficient law and order approach to this issue is clearly not working in terms of public health, economic efficiency, and community safety.

Is there an issue you plan to address that is not part of your party’s platform?

Tree protection. I have a long history of working to protect trees in our community. I’ll champion that in Ottawa.

Why should Canadians vote for you?

I’m ready to do whatever it takes to put the interests of our community first. I’m not here to protect billionaires—I’m here to fight for working people. The NDP has your back, and I’ll always prioritize the needs of all the residents of Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam.