Lurbiecki challenges Lahti in Port Moody mayoral race

After four years of debate, voters are set to get the last word as incumbent Meghan Lahti and Coun. Haven Lurbiecki campaign for mayor.

Lahti and Lurbiecki have frequently differed this term, with Lurbiecki casting the lone vote against Port Moody’s official community plan.

“What did we do as a council after being elected on promises of moderate growth and no wall of towers?” Lurbiecki said. “We approved a framework that went taller, we added even more towers, and we did that all without properly asking the public.”

Lahti defended the OCP as a framework for balanced growth.

“Change feels daunting,” Lahti said. “But when growth is managed responsibly, when it is done in a thoughtful way, it brings opportunities to the community, it also brings new resources and services. This document will help shape that future.”

Lurbiecki opposed the six-tower Coronation Park development, contending the development fell short on affordability.

“It literally does not meet any of our requirements,” she said. “If it’s not meeting our requirements as a city, it is not meeting our needs as a city.”

During early stages of discussion on the project, Lahti urged council not to be obstructionist and push away opportunities.

“It isn’t bold to say no,” Lahti said. “Once this neighbourhood is completed, it will house a new generation of Port Moody residents.”

Meghan Lahti

Lahti’s stated priorities include expanding Rocky Point Park, the Kyle Centre rebuild, and adding seniors housing,

“We need to ensure there is housing for all seniors: those who are downsizing and seeking market housing opportunities, as well as those who require affordable seniors housing,” she stated.

Lahti also emphasized the need to improve transportation, noting the plan to widen the eastbound Barnet Highway rail overpass and add a rush-hour lane on St. Johns Street.

“Traffic on St. Johns is not working for us. Over this term we have tried smaller fixes, and now it is time for a real vision for the street,” she stated.

On expanding Rocky Point, Lahti noted the lands to the west are privately owned, possibly requiring a land swap or acquisition.

“My preference would be to acquire the land through negotiation, but we will do whatever it takes to get this right. I’ve made sure the landowner is aware of our desired outcome and work is underway on a plan for their site,” she stated.

Lahti listed several accomplishments including the new boardwalk, Bob Favele Field, as well as plans for a civic daycare facility.

Haven Lurbiecki

Lurbiecki is running for mayor on a platform that includes repealing the plan for Moody Centre and increasing public consultation.

Lurbiecki previously called for a referendum on Moody Centre tower heights.

“Our city can grow and evolve without losing what makes it special,” she said. “Growth should strengthen Port Moody — not change it beyond recognition.”

Lurbiecki portrayed many of council’s decisions as out of step with the will of the community, noting opposition to what she described as a “wall of towers.”

Lurbiecki is leading a slate of candidates as part of the new political party Port Moody Voice.

Among the group’s stated priorities are development that fits community scale, affordability, expanded parks and infrastructure to keep pace with population growth, stronger accountability at city hall, and support for a diversified local economy aimed at easing tax pressures on residents.

Council candidates

There are a total of 16 council candidates. Five of six incumbents are running for re-election with Lurbiecki seeking the mayor’s chair.

Samantha Agtarap

Agtarap is running for re-election to make Port Moody an affordable and accessible growing city with a small-town feel.

Her stated priorities include providing housing for each stage of life, including long-term care and market rentals near transit.

“We also should be exploring whether the creation of a housing corporation – “arms-length” from the city – would help improve housing affordability goals and potentially provide funding opportunities that cities are unable to access,” she stated.

Discussing the need to support local businesses, Agtarap noted the low vacancy rate for industrial and commercial spaces.

“In any future developments, we need to encourage the preservation of existing industrial spaces (both light and heavy) and expand our commercial floor space,” she stated.

Agtarap introduced a motion for the city to stop using the social media site X, formerly Twitter.

“By maintaining an official presence on that platform, we are lending legitimacy to the platform, normalizing its use, and we risk having official content like notifications appear alongside illegal and harmful material,” she said.

Alexandra Chan

As a nurse, Chan is running for council with health in mind.

“Every decision at City Hall should put residents and their health first,” Chan stated in a press release.

If elected, Chan pledged to advocate for a community family doctor clinic in Port Moody.

Growth must be matched by the infrastructure, parks, transportation, and community services residents need, Chan stated.

Chan started her career as a registered nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. That experience demonstrated that good health starts with: “strong communities, thoughtful planning, access to recreation, safe transportation, and the services people rely on every day,” according to Chan’s online bio.

Chan is running as part of Port Moody Voice.

Diana Dilworth

Diana Dilworth

Longtime Port Moody councillor Diana Dilworth is looking to keep her seat at the table.

During her last term Dilworth worked with Coun. Amy Lubik on a resolution calling for B.C. to formally recognize housing as a human right.

Discussing the city’s official community plan, she lauded the level of community input.

“This is an incredibly well-informed document,” Dilworth said at the time. “I think it’s really important what’s new and different: greater importance in this version on housing action, climate action, and action on Truth and Reconciliation.”

Dilworth has been scrutinized for her work as director of government relations for Homebuilders Association Vancouver. That scrutiny has sometimes reached the level of harassment, she said.

“We as a council cannot continue to demonize developers,” Dilworth said during a discussion this term about developer donations.

Dilworth joined with council in voting cut support for a pilot program allowing residents to drink alcohol in parks.

“Unfortunately, some people will take a small allowance and make it quite large,” she said.

John Grasty

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that John Grasty is a real estate agent. He is a former real estate agent now retired.

Retiree and community volunteer John Grasty is getting involved in local politics to keep slates out of local politics.

“When councillors run on a slate, residents have to ask who they really answer to: voters, or the organization that got them elected,” he stated.

City hall needs to belong to residents rather than political parties, he concluded.

Grasty spoke in favour of project consisting of two 39-storey towers east of the Moody Centre SkyTrain station, noting the inclusion of a grocery store and extension of Golden Spike Way.

“I’d like to challenge those opposed . . . to please share what you propose as an alternative to meet all of the identified community needs that this development addresses,” Grasty said.

During an OCP discussion, Grasty contended that what once counted as “moderate growth” no longer fits today’s housing reality.

“The major issues facing Port Moody aren’t even under the purview of this council,” he said, pointing to hospitals, schools, infrastructure and housing funding as responsibilities of senior governments. “To those people who still don’t like what is going on with this OCP, please take it up with your MLA.”

Kyla Knowles

Following her first term on council, Kyla Knowles stated that her focus was on improving the city’s financial stability and advancing infrastructure projects such as the new Kyle Centre.

“I believe Port Moody deserves independent voices that will work in the best interests of Port Moody as a whole, not narrow interest groups or parties that seek to control member votes,” Knowles stated.

Knowles noted several accomplishments from the last term, including increasing tree canopy, as well as adding childcare spaces and affordable housing units.

Knowles also defended the Moody Centre plan against criticism that council failed to consider feedback on the framework.

“The framework is an extraordinarily thorough piece of work and lays out expectations around urban design criteria related to artistic form, amenities, livable spaces, green space, employment space, road and pedestrian networks, view corridors and much more,” she wrote.

Knowles also put forward a Union of B.C. Municipalities motion asking the province to reconsider a proposed expansion of the provincial sales tax.

“We are suffering from an affordability crisis at all levels,” Knowles said at the time. “The province has got a big deficit to make up and climbing debt, but this is not the way to do it.”

Mark Kunzli

In announcing his campaign, pharmacist Mark Kunzli talked about attending his first city council meeting and being disappointed with the discussion.

“That night, I saw towers approved full of units that weren’t for families like mine,” he said.

Having served on the city’s transportation committee, Kunzli emphasized the importance of limiting development to what the community can support in terms of infrastructure, traffic, and community services.

“We need a better plan so we’re not competing for daycare spots, parking spots, rec program spots,” he said.

Many residents don’t see their concerns reflected in city council decisions, he said.

“I want residents to be able to look at a council decision, understand why it was made, and trust that commitments made to the community will actually be followed through on,” he stated.

Kunzli is part of Port Moody Voice.

Paul Lambert

Business consultant and former federal Conservative candidate Paul Lambert is running for council.

Lambert had previously announced he would run for mayor, presenting his platform as a middle ground on development.

In a campaign video, Lambert described Mayor Meghan Lahti as being financially backed by big developers and supporting: “over-development.” Conversely, he characterized city councillor and mayoralty candidate Haven Lurbiecki as anti-development, and: “opposed to almost everything the past four years.”

While stating that he wouldn’t take campaign donations from developers, Lambert emphasized that he was not anti-development and would support “a more balanced approach to housing,” that would include more townhouses for families.

To deal with traffic problems, Lambert proposed a third eastbound lane on St. Johns Street and a second eastbound lane on Murray Street. Both lanes would be open during rush hour and serve as parking spots the rest of the day.

Lambert previousy ran twice for Coquitlam city council.

Jeanine Longley

Touting her experience as a director of product management, Jeanine Longley’s plan for economic growth focuses on the needs of workers, small business owners, and the community.

“We need to balance the character and charm of small businesses that deliver what we need as a community with the long-term stability of good union industry jobs,” she stated.

Longley discussed the need to ensure there’s enough commercial space available while reducing gaps in Port Moody’s walking infrastructure to boost foot traffic.

“I want to provide local business owners what they need to succeed, and ensure our economy grows for us and by us,” she stated.

That work would happen in conjunction with efforts to reduce carbon emissions while making Port Moody a less car-centric community.

“I will reduce the need to drive everywhere with the addition of more commercial spaces, better transit, and by filling the safety gaps in our walking and cycling infrastructure,” she stated.

As an independent candidate, Longley stated she will not take campaign donations from developers.

“Port Moody not only needs someone willing to listen to the community and identify the root issues we’re facing, but also one who can bring a collaborative mindset and firm negotiating skills to city hall in order to get more of what we need in Port Moody,” she stated.

Amy Lubik

Two-term councillor Amy Lubik is running for re-election on a platform to make the city more inclusive, connected and healthy.

Lubik emphasized the value of walkable neighbourhoods, the harm of food deserts, and the need to address social isolation.

“I hope to keep building relationships and listening to people’s lived experiences in order to make life easier for our neighbours,” she stated.

Over the past two terms, Lubik emphasized her work on “achieving affordable and healthy housing,” which included helping establish the Tri-Cities Rent Bank.

She worked with Mayor Meghan Lahti on exploring the use of development incentives that could bring more family doctors and medical clinics to Port Moody. She also worked with Coun. Diana Dilworth on a resolution calling for B.C. to formally recognize housing as a human right.

Lubik joined the rest of council in backing an overhaul of the city’s transportation plan including a citywide reduction in speed limits.

During the council discussion, Lubik noted regional traffic pressure in explaining why she opposed adding more car infrastructure.

“That’s called the induced demand phenomenon. What works is to get people out of their cars,” Lubik said.

Reece Mack

A communications professional, single father, community advocate, Reece Mack has spent the past decade working with small businesses, schools, and governments.

He has also studied the relationship between government communication, public trust, and civic participation.

“People shouldn’t have to fight to understand what their government is doing or wonder whether their input actually matters,” Mack stated. “Residents deserve to be meaningfully involved before major decisions are made, not after.”

Mack stated that the best decisions are made when there is meaningful involvement from residents, businesses, and community organizations.

Mack is part of Port Moody Voice, a new political party with a platform that includes having the most open and accountable city hall in the municipality’s history.

Steve Milani

Former Port Moody city councillor Steve Milani is campaigning as an independent candidate, in part to reverse the 14-tower Moody Centre plan. 

“Traffic has worsened, infrastructure has fallen behind, and Kyle Centre still sits under a tarp. I’ve done this job. I know what it takes to put residents first,” he stated in a release.

Port Moody should prioritize housing that serves families, seniors, and young renters, “not just the luxury condo market,” he added.

New growth should create jobs and expand the tax base, he emphasized, explaining that he would advocate for a jobs district with good transit access.

“Since leaving office in 2022, I have watched this council let the budget balloon by $19 million,” he stated.

As a city councillor, Milani chaired Port Moody’s finance committee.

In his campaign for mayor, Milani received 3,952 votes, or approximately 44 percent.

He currently works as a commercial property manager.

Sebastian Moon

At 27 years old, Sebastian Moon is, “invested in protecting the future of the city we all love.”

In recent years development has outpaced infrastructure, according to Moon, who noted numerous towers in the pipeline.

“Approving the towers was the easy part. Nobody’s shown me the plan for the roads, the hospital, or the schools that are supposed to come with them,” he stated.

While Port Moody needs more housing, that housing needs to serve residents who live and work in the city, Moon contended.

“Simply building more units doesn’t automatically create affordability,” he stated. “I support Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing, the provincial legislation that allows triplexes, quadplexes, and townhomes on traditional single-family lots without a lengthy rezoning process, alongside mid-rise and low-rise buildings with the right mix of unit types.”

Moon also noted Port Moody’s range of wildlife including numerous bird species.

“This isn’t just our home, it’s theirs too. Future development, including proposals for towers near the inlet, should respect environmentally sensitive areas, preserve wildlife habitat where possible, and protect the natural spaces that define Port Moody’s character,” he stated.

Callan Morrison

In running for his second term, Callan Morrison stressed the importance of kindness and collaboration.

To help address traffic concerns, Morrison brought forward a plan to widen the eastbound Barnet Highway overpass over the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) rail line.

“This is the first actual project in a very, very long time that is going to have a significant improvement on our actual driving infrastructure in the city that our residents have been begging for,” he said at the time.

In terms of development, Morrison’s platform supports more family-friendly housing as well as affordable seniors housing as well as assisted living facilities.

“I will work to make these homes easier to build so older residents can downsize without leaving the community they helped shape,” he stated.

Morrison brought forward a motion asking staff to explore varying podium heights to avoid a potential “walling” effect along the St. Johns Street corridor.

“Members of this council have said many times that they do not want a wall effect,” Morrison said. “Let’s protect the view corridors that were so important to us when creating the transit oriented development (TOD) framework.”

Tracey Schaeffer

Referring to herself as a “parent, writer, and dedicated community builder,” Tracey Schaeffer’s campaign envisions a city where residents won’t need a car.

“We can always choose to drive, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if we didn’t have to?” Shaeffer asked in her press release.

To meet that need, Schaeffer is campaigning for “pedestrian-friendly business districts” and for new homes around parks and small business clusters.

Schaeffer’s campaign also prioritizes a focus on light industry to bring jobs to the city and the approval of more family-friendly units.

Finding a place where local artisans could create and sell their art could be part of a strategy that would boost the local economy through tourism, Schaeffer stated.

Schaeffer is currently on Port Moody’s Land Use Committee, and, in addition to serving on the city’s Arts and Culture Committee, she’s been a board member of PoMoArts and part of the Port Moody Shuffle planning committee.

Laura Soucy

Lifelong resident Laura Soucy is running for city council in part because of the need for “meaningful public engagement” on development.

“The current council has stopped listening,” Soucy stated. “Instead of working with residents to shape the kind of community we actually want to live in, they’ve been approving tower after tower of small condos that don’t reflect what families here need or can afford.”

Port Moody has a shortage of family housing, seniors housing, and “genuinely affordable homes,” Soucy stated, calling for a focus on approving: “the right kinds of housing, not just more housing.”

Besides serving as a board member for the non-profit Entre Nous Femmes Housing Society, Soucy has worked for a property management company that works with housing co-ops.

Having previously worked with governments, community groups, and housing providers, Soucy contended that she will be able to bring greater collaboration to decision making at city hall.

Soucy is part of Port Moody Voice.

Peter Thomasen

Political newcomer Peter Thomasen is running to help guide the future of Port Moody.

“Our city needs thoughtful, practical and independent leadership as we navigate growth, development, transportation, infrastructure, local business and affordability,” he stated. “I believe a councillor’s job is to listen, do the homework, ask good questions and make responsible decisions on behalf of the entire community.”

Thomasen noted his background in sales, business development, government relations, as well as many hours volunteering with Port Moody lacrosse and supporting food banks and the local SPCA.