Q&A with Zoe Royer, Liberal candidate for Port Moody-Coquitlam

Name: Zoe Royer

Party: Liberal Party

U.S. Relations

Canada–U.S. trade relations have become increasingly tense. The new Trump administration has threatened our sovereignty, and initiated a trade war impacting Canadian jobs, manufacturing, agriculture, and energy exports.

Amid U.S. nationalist and protectionist policies, should Canada be trying to repair its relationship with our southern neighbour?

What steps should Canada take to protect its economy?

We will remove internal trade barriers and prioritize Canadian suppliers. Our plan unlocks $200 billion in economic growth. We will invest in trade corridors and infrastructure to connect goods to markets and workers to jobs; reducing reliance on U.S. supply chains and defending Canada’s economic independence.

Affordability & Cost of Living

Inflation has moderated but remains a significant concern. Many Canadians are struggling with stagnant wages, rising rents, and the high cost of essentials like groceries and fuel. Food bank use has hit record highs.

What is your plan to address the rising cost of living, especially housing, groceries, and transportation, which continue to outpace wages for many Canadians?

How will your policies ensure long-term affordability, rather than short-term relief?

Do you believe price-fixing is a systemic issue? If so, how should it be addressed?

With the immediate elimination of the consumer carbon tax, gas prices dropped to $1.55. We will cut middle-class taxes, lower food costs by investing in Canadian supply chains, and deliver automatic tax filing for seniors and low-income families. Our housing plan will reduce rent and ownership costs nationwide.

Housing Crisis

Canada faces a severe housing shortage, particularly in major cities. CMHC estimates the country needs over 3.5 million new homes by 2030 to restore affordability. Homelessness is rising, and many young Canadians are locked out of the housing market.

What specific measures will you take to increase the supply of affordable housing?

How will you address homelessness and ensure vulnerable populations have access to secure housing?

We will invest $60 billion to build 500,000 homes annually. This includes $25 billion for modular and prefabricated construction and $10 billion in financing for deeply affordable housing. We will use public land, cut development charges, and standardize designs to accelerate delivery across the country.

Climate Change & Energy Transition

Canada is not currently on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement. Extreme weather events like wildfires and floods are becoming more frequent, and many governments are transitioning away from fossil fuels to clean energy.

How should Canada balance priorities regarding its natural resources and climate policy?

What are your party’s concrete targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions between now and 2030, and how will you ensure accountability?

On Day 1, Mark Carney eliminated the consumer carbon tax. We will invest in clean power, EV charging, critical minerals, and low-emission technologies. Tax credits will support industrial decarbonization. Our plan meets 2030 targets and creates jobs across Canada’s energy and manufacturing sectors.

Health Care

Health systems across provinces are under pressure. Staffing shortages, long ER wait times, and limited access to family doctors are widespread.

How will you address the shortage of family doctors and long wait times in emergency rooms across the country?

Do you support expanding public health care to include dental care, pharmacare, and mental health services? If so, how will it be funded and implemented?

We will add medical school spaces and train thousands of new doctors. We’ll reduce administrative burdens so doctors can focus on care. Foreign-trained professionals will be fast-tracked. Billions will fund new clinics, hospital expansions, and long-term care. A national licence will allow doctors to work across provinces. More dental, drug, and mental health care will be covered.

Indigenous Reconciliation

Progress on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and the MMIWG Inquiry’s Calls for Justice has been slow.

What steps should be taken regarding the TRC’s Calls to Action and the MMIWG Inquiry’s Calls for Justice?

How will you approach equitable access to clean water, health care, housing, and education in Indigenous communities?

We will implement the TRC and MMIWG Calls to Justice. We will legislate access to clean water, fund Indigenous housing, healing, education, and expand language programs. A $10 billion Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program will increase economic participation in major projects. Partnership and accountability will guide all actions.

Economic Inequality & Tax Reform

Wealth inequality is growing in Canada. The wealthiest Canadians have seen major gains, while lower- and middle-income households face stagnating or declining real incomes. Corporate profits remain high, yet some large companies pay minimal tax.

Do you support changes to Canada’s tax system? If so, what specific reforms do you propose?

How would you reduce income inequality?

We will reduce income taxes for working Canadians, review corporate tax laws, and strengthen CRA enforcement on multinationals and oƯshore accounts. Automatic tax filing will help low-income households and seniors access benefits. Our plan balances the budget by 2028 while protecting public services and investing in economic growth.

Technology, Misinformation & AI

The rise of artificial intelligence and digital misinformation threatens public trust, job security, and democratic institutions. Canada has yet to pass comprehensive legislation to regulate AI and social media algorithms.

How will your government address the growing influence of misinformation, particularly regarding discourse on U.S. tech platforms?

What safeguards will you put in place regarding the development and use of AI in Canada, including impacts on jobs, privacy, and ethics?

We will regulate AI to protect jobs, privacy, and public safety. We will invest in secure data infrastructure and workforce training. New rules will address algorithmic manipulation, misinformation, and harmful content on digital platforms to protect Canadians and uphold online accountability.

Democratic Reform

Many Canadians feel alienated from federal politics. The 2015 Liberal promise of electoral reform was abandoned. Concerns over transparency, lobbying, and accountability continue to erode trust.

Do you support electoral reform to move away from the first-past-the-post system? Why or why not?

What will you do to restore public trust in government institutions and political transparency?

We will stop foreign interference, strengthen ethics rules, and protect public-interest journalism through permanent CBC funding. We will expand access to justice so Canadians can challenge laws that violate equality rights, language rights, freedom of expression, and minority rights. Democracy depends on truth, transparency, and rights for everyone.

Immigration

Canada has ambitious immigration targets, but there’s growing concern about whether infrastructure—especially housing, transit, and social services—can keep pace.

What is your plan for balancing immigration with infrastructure and housing capacity, particularly in high-demand cities?

Should Canada’s immigration targets be adjusted?

We will cap permanent residency at less than 1 percent annually, accelerate foreign credential recognition, and align immigration with housing, healthcare, and infrastructure capacity. Border enforcement and comprehensive processing efficiency will be improved through federal investment.

Crime & Public Safety

Concerns about violent crime, organized crime, gun violence, and safety in public spaces have increased in many communities. At the same time, experts emphasize the need for evidence-based approaches that focus on prevention, mental health supports, and root causes. There’s also ongoing debate about bail reform, policing budgets, and systemic inequities in the justice system.

What is your plan to address crime and improve public safety, particularly in urban settings?

How will your approach balance enforcement with investments in mental health, addiction treatment, housing, and poverty reduction as part of a long-term strategy for safer communities?

We will hire 1,000 RCMP and 1,000 border officers. We will increase K9 units and enforcement to trace guns and intercept fentanyl. New bail restrictions will target violent repeat offenders. We will support community safety with investments in youth programs, addiction services, and mental health care.

Toxic Drug Crisis & Public Health Response

Canada’s toxic drug crisis continues to worsen, with more than 50,000 deaths since 2016, driven largely by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. The crisis affects people across age groups, income levels, and regions, and is closely tied to mental health, poverty, and homelessness. Provinces and cities are calling for stronger federal leadership on harm reduction, treatment, and decriminalization.

What is your plan to address the toxic drug crisis?

Will your party support harm reduction measures such as safe supply programs, supervised consumption sites, and decriminalization of drug possession?

How will you expand access to addiction treatment, mental health care, and long-term supports to prevent overdose deaths and help people recover?

We will never legalize fentanyl or opioids. We will heavily prosecute traffickers, trace supply chains, and intercept shipments. $500 million will fund emergency treatment, recovery beds, and youth mental health. Pilot programs will focus on overdose prevention and recovery. Enforcement, prevention, and care—this crisis demands all three.

Is there an issue you plan to address that is not part of your party’s platform?

Canada is the only G7 country without a national public education framework. I support federal leadership to align outcomes, protect student rights, and enable national teacher credentialing. With strong provincial partnerships already in place, we can work together to ensure consistent access, quality, and opportunity for students across Canada.

Why should Canadians vote for you?

The Liberals will form government: Port Moody–Coquitlam deserves a strong voice at the governing table. I served 11 years on Port Moody Council, past 3 years as SD43 Trustee, and built three successful businesses in the Tri-Cities. I bring experience, integrity, and a record of getting results for this community.