Mandewo announces Coquitlam mayoral bid

After two terms as a councillor, Trish Mandewo is looking to switch seats.

The former Union of B.C. Municipalities president recently announced her campaign to become Coquitlam’s next mayor.

“I am running for mayor because I believe we can move forward with ambition while remaining disciplined about how we grow and what we ask taxpayers to carry,” Mandewo stated in a press release.

While stating that she was proud of council’s previous work, Mandewo predicted the next decade, “will bring a different scale of challenge,” including how the city pays for infrastructure and protects quality of life.

Mandewo’s priorities include adding a range of housing choices, attracting businesses and jobs, and expanding Coquitlam’s commercial tax base. The councillor also emphasized the importance of development contributing fairly to infrastructure and services.

“Growth should pay for growth. A growing city should mean more taxpayers sharing the load — not the same taxpayers continually paying more,” she stated.

Coquitlam’s next mayor should look to expand the city’s parks and trails while investing in recreation and community spaces, Mandewo stated.

To tackle issues municipalities can’t solve alone such as homelessness and street disorder, Mandewo stated she would advocate for stronger federal and provincial partnerships.

Besides her time at UBCM, Mandewo has also served on the board of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which has allowed her to advocate with senior governments.

“The next mayor must be able to lead at the council table, protect the city’s financial strength and make Coquitlam’s case effectively in Victoria and Ottawa,” Mandewo stated. “I have spent years building those relationships and doing that work. I am ready to put that experience fully to work for Coquitlam.”

Discussing the city’s housing policy earlier this year, Mandewo advised considering housing policies in other countries while taking into account livability and isolation.

If the city offers fewer and smaller bedrooms, “We are really squeezing people out because the livability is not going to be there,” Mandewo said.

Mandewo has also advocated harsher penalties for construction companies that discharge polluted water. During a 2024 discussion, Mandewo said she’d favour stop-work orders of up to 30 days for repeat offenders.

Coun. Craig Hodge and public sector strategist Madhavee Inamdar previously announced mayoral bids.

The election is scheduled for Oct. 17.