Lone OCP dissenter Haven Lurbiecki launches bid for Port Moody mayoral seat

Port Moody Coun. Haven Lurbiecki has announced she is running for mayor in the city’s upcoming municipal election, positioning her campaign as a response to what she describes as growing public frustration with the direction of city hall.

The announcement follows last week’s contentious approval of Port Moody’s new official community plan (OCP), a sweeping long-range growth blueprint that projects significant population increases and concentrates development around transit corridors. 

Lurbiecki was the lone councillor to vote against the plan, arguing it runs counter to resident feedback.

“Surveys and public input have consistently shown residents do not agree with the direction this mayor has taken us. Now it’s time for residents to be heard,” Lurbiecki stated in a release announcing her candidacy. “I’m running to put residents back at the centre of every decision.”

Elected to council in 2022, Lurbiecki has frequently framed herself as an advocate for housing affordability, livability, park expansion, transparency and deeper public engagement in city decision-making. She said Port Moody can continue to grow without losing its character.

“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 is set to run alongside a slate of candidates in the 2026 municipal election under the banner of Port Moody Voice, according to the press release. However, Lurbiecki is the only candidate to announce their candidacy to date.

The Port Moody Voice – the first political party in the city’s history – was launched in September 2025 during a town-event discussing the now approved OCP.

Among the group’s stated priorities are development that fits community scale and 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.

“A financially responsible council can then invest wisely in community priorities,” the release stated.

Voice supporters have repeatedly claimed the sitting council has advanced decisions without meaningful community input.

Their campaign plans to engage residents over the coming months to shape a detailed platform, with Lurbiecki emphasizing accountability.

“Accountability will not end on election day, but begin – through a Port Moody Voice team fully accountable to both its platform and the community,” she said.

The mayoral race will unfold against the backdrop of ongoing debate over growth, density and public trust in planning decisions in Port Moody, tensions that were on full display during last week’s marathon OCP public hearing.

Municipal elections are still eight months away, scheduled to be held on Oct. 17, 2026.