Platform Focus Areas

Affordable Housing is only units that are below market housing prices.This is the are where the greatest needs exists. There is an oversupply of new condos that are not being purchased due to high prices.The city has to ensure the supply of truly affordable housing increases by requiring developers to include a higher percentage of affordable units in new developments.I t should be 20% minimum.The City should be partnering with nonprofit societies and the provincial and federal governments to build subsidized housing on city lands whenever possible.

Coquitlam’s overall tree density is getting smaller each year and this is a concern.The adoption of an Urban Forest Management strategy this year was a good first step.The plan is not strong enough and needs to better regulate the cutting of trees on private property that is evidence based and uses scientific facts.

The City needs to accelerate the use of Electric vehicles in their fleet. The Zero Carbon step code was not instituted this year  by the City which was a lost chance to cut our carbon emissions.The City should consider joining the Sue Big Oil civil lawsuit to hold Fossil fuel companies liable for their fault in Climate change.

The City needs to strike a balance between compassionate care and safety measures. It could increase its own bylaw enforcement while at the same time assigning some employees to work with the unhoused and repeat offenders to assist them to access existing support services.

Working in partnership with the with senior levels of government ,the City could provide its land on which to build low income subsidized housing and or transition housing to enable unhoused people to move off the streets.

The City could provide grants to local non profits who work with the unhoused so that services to them are increased.Developers who are making huge profits should be required to pay a small levy on each unit that would be earmarked for homelessness reduction initiatives. There is also a need for another shelter to be built as the one on Gordon Ave has been filled since it was opened.

The City should work with other Tricities municipalities and within Metro Vancouver to build a stronger united voice  for increased social housing and more services for Mental Health and Addiction services Coquitlam could identify areas where these services could be provided and advocate to the BC government to increase Mental Health and supportive housing on the Riverview lands as this would not be subject to the usual NIMBY reaction.

This is a public policy to protect pedestrians and cyclists. It reduces the speed limit on secondary roads to 30 km/h. It has already being implemented in Vancouver and Victoria.4 years ago when I ran for council, speeding was the issue that was brought up most on the doors.

The City should work with other municipalities through Translink and Metro Vancouver to identify gaps and advocate for increased bus and Skytrain service.A dedicated program to provide sidewalks on most streets and to increase bike lanes that would help improve active transportation in our city. This would reduce our dependency on cars.

We need Coquitlam residents to be able to give their opinions on council decisions before they are made not after. Presently ,residents can only ask questions or give statements at the end of council meetings after votes have already been taken. Port Moody , Burnaby , New Westminster and Vancouver allow residents to do it at the beginning of council meetings.