Port Coquitlam mayoral candidates answer your questions

Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West and challengers Pasquale Zampieri and Connor Fesenmaier each took the time to answer our questions about taxes, transportation, housing, and their priorities for the city’s future.

Candidates were asked to limit their responses to approximately 100 words per question.

Connor Fesenmaier

How long have you lived in Port Coquitlam?

I will have lived in Port Coquitlam for three years this February, but my connection to the city goes back years before I moved here. My wife was born and raised in PoCo, so we spent a lot of time here together before deciding this was where we wanted to plant our roots. Many of our friends and family are here, our daughter was born here, and we’re excited that she will have the privilege of growing up in the community we chose to call home.

Is Port Coquitlam adding the right mix of housing? Why or why not?

Not quite. I support building more housing, but the mix matters. We need purpose-built rental, affordable and non-market housing, family-sized units, gentle density, townhomes and continued detached-home options. Growth also has to be matched by transportation, utilities and community infrastructure. Adding density without increasing the capacity of the systems supporting it eventually creates problems somewhere else. I want people at different stages of life and different income levels to have realistic options to stay in Port Coquitlam.

What’s the biggest transportation problem in the city and what should be done about it?

Our biggest problem is the small number of routes carrying traffic across and around the rail corridor. The city’s own transportation plan identifies the rail line and yard as the largest barrier to mobility through Port Coquitlam. I want major bottlenecks like Shaughnessy and Pitt River/Lougheed seriously advanced toward grade separation, while completing projects like Fremont and improving transit, cycling and pedestrian connections. Transportation has to be treated as a network so fixing one bottleneck doesn’t simply move the lineup somewhere else.

What is one thing city council has done this past term that you would have done differently?

I would have tied residential growth much more closely to delivery of major infrastructure. Port Coquitlam is under a provincial target for 2,279 net new homes by July 2029, while major transportation projects and longstanding bottlenecks remain unresolved. I support adding housing, but I would have pushed harder to move transportation improvements toward engineering, funding and construction at the same time as that growth. Infrastructure should be planned ahead of demand wherever possible, not after residents are already experiencing the consequences.

Do you accept campaign contributions from developers?

No. I will not accept campaign contributions from developers.

Port Coquitlam recently approved a 1.95 percent tax increase. Given service levels in the city and asset maintenance requirements, is that too high, too low, or reasonable?

The 1.95 percent increase itself is reasonable. My concern is how we keep achieving low headline increases. About 73 percent of the 2026 increase came from mandated RCMP and labour costs, while the city also used deferrals and reserves or surplus to reduce the immediate tax impact. Similar tools have been used in recent budgets. Those tools have a place, but they cannot become the long-term plan. We need a structurally balanced budget that doesn’t defer today’s costs into larger problems tomorrow.

Is the city doing enough to protect trees and waterways?

Broadly, yes, but there is more work to do. Port Coquitlam already has tree-protection requirements and specific protections for waterways and environmentally sensitive areas. At the Wondrous Tree Festival I had the opportunity to speak with residents who raised concerns about illegal dumping and the loss of trees, particularly downtown. I want stronger monitoring and enforcement in known problem areas and clearer reporting on results. Protecting PoCo’s rivers, trails, trees and natural environment should be practical, measurable and treated as part of responsible growth.

How should the city address homelessness?

With compassion and accountability. Moving someone from one block or park to another does not solve homelessness, addiction or mental-health problems. We need stronger coordination between the city, health services, housing providers, police, bylaws and outreach organizations. At the same time, homelessness cannot become an excuse for vandalism, threats or persistent public disorder. Those behaviours still require enforcement. We need to distinguish between a person who needs help and behaviour that makes residents feel unsafe, then respond appropriately to both.

Would you support the city allowing Flock/Axon type surveillance cameras?

No. Liberty and privacy come first for me. I don’t believe in policing our community from behind a screen or creating a network of cameras that routinely records people simply going about their lives. I would rather invest in officers, community policing and targeted investigations where there is an actual reason to investigate someone. Police should have the lawful tools they need to do their jobs, but blanket automated surveillance of residents is not a direction I support.

What should be council’s top priority for next term?

Transportation comes first. I want major bottlenecks moved from discussion toward engineering, funding and delivery, while improving transit and other mobility options. Separately, I want stronger accountability at City Hall: published service standards, clear ownership of every permit or application, and direct status visibility for applicants. I also want a service guarantee. If the city exceeds its performance standard plus a reasonable extension without valid cause, the resident or business should receive a fee credit or compensation. Government should have consequences for unnecessary delays too.

Why should residents vote for you?

I bring a business and management mindset where time has value, decisions have consequences and results should be measured. I want to invest in infrastructure and city services that give people some of that time back, whether that means less time sitting in traffic, waiting on City Hall, or simply trying to get an answer. Time is the one finite resource we cannot buy more of. I’ll remain accessible, tackle difficult problems, protect what already works in PoCo, and bring greater transparency, accountability and measurable results to City Hall.

Pasquale Zampieri

How long have you lived in Port Coquitlam?

I have lived in Port Coquitlam for close to seven years. This is where I live, raise my family and operate my business. I care about our community’s future and want residents and local businesses to have a stronger voice at City Hall.

Is Port Coquitlam adding the right mix of housing? Why or why not?

I believe we need a better balance. Increasing housing numbers matters, but we also need affordable rentals, family-sized apartments, townhomes, accessible housing and options for seniors to downsize. I would support sensible growth near transit and services, clearer approval timelines and partnerships for below-market housing. Growth must be coordinated with infrastructure, parks and transportation.

What’s the biggest transportation problem in the city and what should be done about it?

In my view, traffic congestion and limited convenient alternatives are the biggest problems. As a Class 1 driver and towing business owner, I understand how delays affect families, workers and businesses. I would prioritize intersection improvements, better signal coordination and more reliable bus connections. I would also pursue a costed plan for the Fremont Connector and advocate for a SkyTrain extension, while being honest about funding and timelines.

What is one thing city council has done this past term that you would have done differently?

I would have handled the city’s response to business permitting and bylaw concerns differently. In my own experience, I leased a property after receiving assurances from city staff that my business could operate there, only to face tickets afterward. When I raised the issue with the mayor, I did not receive a satisfactory resolution. As mayor, I would push for clear, written guidance before businesses commit to a lease, timely reviews when conflicting advice arises, and accountability when the city makes a mistake. Residents and business owners deserve consistent answers and practical solutions.

Do you accept campaign contributions from developers?

No. I will not accept campaign contributions from developers, including personal donations from individuals who are developers. I want to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest and maintain public confidence in my independence. Housing and development decisions must be based on community needs, sound planning and the public interest.

Port Coquitlam recently approved a 1.95 percent tax increase. Given service levels in the city and asset maintenance requirements, is that too high, too low, or reasonable?

A 1.95 percent increase is reasonable if it maintains essential services and funds responsible maintenance. A low increase is not a success if necessary repairs are deferred and become more expensive later. I would examine the full household bill, including utilities and levies, and insist on a transparent maintenance plan. My priority is keeping costs manageable while protecting the infrastructure residents depend on.

Is the city doing enough to protect trees and waterways?

I believe we can do more, particularly as development increases. I would support retaining healthy mature trees wherever practical, enforcing construction protections and tracking whether replacement trees survive. Waterway protection should include effective stormwater management, pollution prevention and habitat restoration. I would work with local stewardship groups and First Nations to establish measurable priorities.

How should the city address homelessness?

We need a compassionate, practical response that also protects public safety. I would work with BC Housing, Fraser Health and community organizations to connect people with housing, outreach, mental health care and addiction treatment. My provincial public service experience taught me the importance of responding to individual circumstances. The city should maintain safe, accessible public spaces while helping people reach stable accommodation.

Would you support the city allowing Flock/Axon type surveillance cameras?

I would not support blanket approval. I would consider a narrowly defined proposal only after evidence of its public safety value, public consultation and a thorough privacy assessment. Council would need clear rules for access, data retention, sharing, oversight and cost. Any proposal involving facial recognition would require separate scrutiny. Residents deserve safety without unnecessary tracking of their everyday movements.

What should be council’s top priority for next term?

Delivering affordable, dependable city services through responsible financial management. I would make a funded infrastructure maintenance plan an early priority, with clear schedules and public progress reports. Residents should know which roads, drainage systems and facilities need attention, what the work will cost and when it will happen.

Why should residents vote for you?

As a non-incumbent candidate, I offer a fresh perspective backed by experience in banking, provincial public service, volunteer victim services, trucking and business ownership. I understand the pressures facing working families and small businesses, and I am prepared to ask difficult questions about spending and service delivery.

I offer practical leadership, accessible communication and a commitment to explaining decisions clearly. I want residents to feel heard and see results from City Hall.

Mayor Brad West

How long have you lived in Port Coquitlam?

My entire life, 41 years.

Is Port Coquitlam adding the right mix of housing? Why or why not?

We have focused on housing that provides options for people at every stage of life. Our main focus is ensuring we have ground-orientated housing that is suitable for families, housing that is suitable for seniors, and pushing hard for affordability with tools we have at the city. Unfortunately, the provincial government has made an unprecedented attempt to dictate that our housing largely consist of small, one-bedroom condos and high-rises. We have resisted this, and will continue to make decisions in the best interest of Port Coquitlam, regardless of what the provincial government demands.

What’s the biggest transportation problem in the city and what should be done about it?

Our city is experiencing increasing congestion coming from development that has occurred outside of Port Coquitlam, particularly Coquitlam’s development of Burke Mountain. This is putting significant strain on local roads, including Coast Meridian, Shaughnessy, Prairie, Cedar, Oxford. We need to see the construction of the Fremont Connector, as an urgent priority, to provide a direct link from Burke Mountain to regional roads and relieve congestion in Port Coquitlam. Port Coquitlam is ready to go, and fund our fair share of this project. My first order of business if I am re-elected is to negotiate with Coquitlam’s Council a reasonable and balanced cost-sharing agreement and move to construction.

What achievement are you most proud of from the previous term?

Port Coquitlam has the lowest average property taxes and utility fees combined out of the 21 municipalities in our region. In fact, in Port Coquitlam we pay $1,589 LESS than the regional average every year. This record of fiscal responsibility has taken a lot of hard work and discipline. Even more impressive is that we didn’t achieve by cutting core services that people depend on. In fact, we’ve been able to introduce new services like free swimming at outdoor pools, curbside glass pick-up and large item pick-up. Now, more than ever, it is essential to maintain our focus on affordability for taxpayers.

Do you accept campaign contributions from developers?

No donations may be accepted from businesses or unions. I have received individual donations from people employed in a wide-range of professions and sectors of the economy, including construction.

Port Coquitlam recently approved a 1.95 percent tax increase. Given service levels in the city and asset maintenance requirements, is that too high, too low, or reasonable?

We worked very hard to achieve that modest amount by balancing affordability for taxpayers with the need to fund the services residents rely upon. It was a reasonable number and the result of going through the budget line by line, examining every cost, seeking efficiencies, challenging assumptions, considering alternatives and focusing our investment on the things that matter most to our residents.

Is the city doing enough to protect trees and waterways?

The city has a robust tree protection bylaw and has also planted a record number of trees in the last 3 years. We have completed significant watershed management plans and are proceeding with the construction of new fish-friendly pump stations which will both protect our community from the risk of flooding, as well as supporting sensitive ecosystems, habitats and fish.

How should the city address homelessness?

Our bylaw officers are on the frontline of ensuring that individuals are connected with the correct provincial services and resources. They display a great deal of compassion and have a strong track record. Unfortunately, provincial funding of addictions and mental health services, which often underscore homelessness, are significantly lacking and too many people are not receiving the help they need. That is why I have been such a strong advocate for re-opening a modern centre for mental health and support services at Riverview. The provincial closure of this facility has been a failure.

Would you support the city allowing Flock/Axon type surveillance cameras?

No, the city is not contemplating such an initiative.

What should be council’s top priority for next term?

Maintaining fiscal responsibility and affordable property taxes, investing in key infrastructure to relieve congestion and accommodate the needs of our residents, and continuing to deliver high-quality core city services.

Why should residents vote for you?

Serving as Mayor is a complex and demanding role. I bring a demonstrated track record of experience, leadership, judgement, commitment and hard work to deliver the very best for the people of Port Coquitlam. As a life-long resident, with a young family, I am fully invested in our community’s future and have a passion for this incredible place we call home.