‘It’s been an honour,’ Amy Lubik falls two votes shy of re-election in Port Moody

The numbers shifted but the results were the same.

David Stuart will serve as a Port Moody city councillor next term, following the city’s certification of the vote Wednesday afternoon.

The results were a disappointment for incumbent Amy Lubik, who saw her re-election bid dashed by two votes.

“I’m still kind of reeling,” she said Wednesday following the announcement from the city. “It’s been a real roller coaster of emotion. . . . The amount of people that have reached out to offer their support has been really heartwarming. That’s been a nice silver lining.”

Stuart and Lubik each lost one vote between the preliminary count and the certified numbers – leaving Stuart’s two-vote victory unchanged.

Given the “slim margin” between 3,595 and 3,593, Lubik said she may request a judicial recount.

“But I have to think about what’s going to be best going forward for myself and also for the community,” she said.

Assessing her future, Lubik noted that an effective advocate can have a critical role in shaping city policy.

“Whatever happens, I’ll be looking for ways to serve,” she said, emphasizing that her key issues remain affordable housing, climate change, and the way cities can affect health.

‘Not an easy election’

After being on “pins and needles” following election night, Lubik reflected on the challenges of the campaign.

“It was not an easy election,” she said. “These elections are such a huge effort on everybody’s part from the people who run to the volunteers who support them to the community members who get out their and listen and take their time in the middle of their dinner on the doorstep.”

Lubik also complimented the new council which – besides the new mayor – includes five new councillors.

“I know that the council that’s been elected will work really hard to represent the city and move forward in a good way,” she said. “Whatever happens, it’s been an honour.”

As a councillor, Lubik pushed for the city to support the rent bank in order to help renters avoid eviction by getting no-interest loans. Lubik also moved for the city to reserve Kyle Centre as a potential warming/overnight shelter in the spring of 2021.

“The Tri-Cities were not prepared to shelter the most precarious and marginalized of our community,” Lubik said at the time.

Lubik supported the Woodland Park development and – despite being “somewhat torn” on its lack of affordable housing – she backed amending the official community plan to advance the Coronation Park project.

Five candidates, 273 votes, one seat

The race for the sixth and final seat on council came down to the wire with five candidates separated by 273 votes.

Incumbent Hunter Madsen finished 52 votes behind Stuart while newcomer David Chelen was 273 votes back trailing Barbara Junker.

The mayoral race shifted slightly upon certification, with Mayor Meghan Lahti losing two ballots and outgoing councillor Steve Milani gaining one vote.