Hodge announces Coquitlam mayoral bid as Stewart talks ‘handing over the reins’

Craig Hodge is planning to move one seat to his left next year.

While the municipal race is one year away, the longtime Coquitlam city councillor started running for the mayor’s chair Wednesday night; announcing his bid to a packed crowd at Evergreen Cultural Centre.

During his speech, Hodge positioned himself as a candidate for continuity and collaboration.

“I want to continue the good work of this council to deliver new facilities, maintain services and manage costs, and maintain our residents’ quality of life as our city grows,” he said.

Hodge listed numerous council achievements ranging from the Mundy Park pool to a host of new and revitalized parks as well as 900 new units of below-market housing.

There are another 1,300 more units of below-market housing in the pipeline, Hodge noted. “But the need is great, so as your mayor I will continue to look for opportunities to build even more.”

Those below-market units were built without relying on property tax dollars, Hodge added.

If elected mayor, Hodge said a top responsibility would be to manage growth responsibly, providing necessary infrastructure while ensuring there are housing options for students, seniors, and families.

Hodge also put an emphasis on safety.

“Our crime rate remains one of the lowest in the region, but people don’t feel as safe as they used to, as street disorder is increasing in cities across our country.”

With police officers being asked to do more, the city will need to find, “creative and more cost-effective ways to improve safety.”

After thanking representatives from Port Moody and Port Coquitlam city councils for attending Wednesday’s event, Hodge highlighted the importance of collaboration.

“As your mayor, I will look for opportunities to build strong partnerships with our neighbours, our school board, and senior levels of government.”

In his brief introductory remarks, Mayor Richard Stewart said he was proud to be “handing over the reins,” to Hodge.

“I do truly believe in Craig,” Stewart said. “I think he has done an amazing job for our community for decades – not just in his elected life.”

Hodge’s son Brandon, who works as a paramedic, emphasized his father’s commitment to affordable housing, and: “ensuring the future generation of Coquitlam residents can afford to live here.”

“I’m pretty sure he just wants me to move out of his basement,” he added.

In terms of winning the election, Coun. Matt Djonlic underscored the importance of campaign donations and social media posts.

Campaigns are built on donations, he said, asking attendees to take a photo with Hodge and post it to social media.

Djonlic thanked Hodge for helping guide rookie councillors on the details of the job.

“Craig is a good coach and I believe he’s going to be a great mayor.”

During his last term on council, Hodge pushed new rules around energy efficiency in new buildings.

“We could have a major heat dome next summer,” Hodge said in the fall of 2024. “We may not be able to wait until 2028.”

Hodge has also called for older homes to be relocated rather than demolished to make way for new developments.

“We can’t keep crushing houses and putting them in dumpsters,” he said. “We’ve got to find a better way.”

Hodge has been a proponent of Coquitlam pursuing corporate sponsorships, although more for events than civic facilities.

“I want our city to have a piece of that pie,” he said.

Hodge is one of several Coquitlam councillors who have been critical of the province for housing legislation that establishes density in concentric circles around transit stations.

A longtime photojournalist, Hodge worked extensively for the Tri-City News as well as the Columbian.