TRISH MANDWEWO
My Platform & Plan for our City of Coquitlam
1. Grow
Growth on Coquitlam’s Terms, Not Just the Province’s Timeline
Coquitlam will grow - but how we grow, how quickly we grow, and who pays for that growth matters. Growth should pay for growth, not leave existing taxpayers with the bill for the roads, parks, infrastructure and services required to meet provincially mandated growth. A growing city should mean more taxpayers sharing the load, not the same taxpayers continually paying more. That is the fiscal test I’ll bring to every budget and every major growth decision.
My Commitment: Growth that works for Coquitlam.
2. Deliver
Infrastructure Has to Keep Pace - Roads / Sidewalks & Core Services • Transit • Utilities • Recreation & Community Facilities
Growth cannot come first and infrastructure years later. As Coquitlam grows, our roads, water and sewer systems, parks, recreation facilities and community spaces have to keep pace. As we plan for tomorrow, we cannot lose sight of delivering the basics well today. That requires disciplined long-term planning, strategic investment, and strong partnerships with other levels of government, so today’s growth does not become tomorrow’s infrastructure deficit.
My Commitment: Build the infrastructure our growing city needs.
3. Live
Build a Livable Coquitlam - Mobility • Neighbourhoods • Parks • Environmental Stewardship • Amenities • Quality of Life
A great city is not measured simply by how many people it can accommodate; it is measured by how well people can live there. As Coquitlam grows, livability cannot be an afterthought. It means protecting green spaces, natural environment, enhancing our parks and trails including dog parks, creating welcoming public and gathering spaces, building connected neighbourhoods, and addressing the traffic bottlenecks that affect everyday life. A livable Coquitlam is built on purpose, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
My Commitment: A growing city where quality of life comes first.
4. Protect
Keep Coquitlam Safe Community Safety • Policing • Fire • Emergency Preparedness • Safer Public Spaces
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, neighbourhood and community.
Keeping Coquitlam safe means supporting strong policing and fire services, strengthening emergency preparedness, creating safer public spaces, and working across agencies and with our community to prevent problems before they escalate.
My Commitment: A safe, resilient and prepared Coquitlam.
The Way I Lead
Leadership is service. For me, that means looking after the public's money, asking the hard questions, bringing people together and making sure Coquitlam has a strong voice beyond City Hall.
These are not new commitments I am making because I am running for Mayor; they are how I have approached public service throughout my time on Council and in leadership roles across British Columbia, Canada and beyond.
Fiscal Stewardship
Plan for the long term • Protect taxpayers • Keep taxes and debt in check. The governing challenge is not simply saying yes to more services. It is balancing what our growing community needs with what taxpayers can reasonably afford. I will bring discipline to spending and borrowing, protect Coquitlam's financial strength, pursue other sources of funding, and make sure growth contributes to the costs it creates rather than passing those costs to future taxpayers.
Accountabilty
Ask the hard questions • Provide strong oversight • Protect the public interest. I have spent much of my professional life helping organizations strengthen governance, accountability, and performance. I know the difference strong oversight can make. As Mayor, I will bring that same lens to City Hall expecting clear information before major decisions are made, being transparent about the choices before us, and focusing not only on what we spend, but on what we achieve for residents.
Leadership
A Mayor cannot govern alone. I will welcome the Council voters elect and work from day one to build a strong, collaborative Council where every voice is heard, different perspectives are respected, and healthy debate leads to better decisions. My leadership is collaborative and service-centred: I listen, build consensus where possible, and have the courage to move decisions forward when needed. I believe strong leadership is about bringing people together around a common purpose and creating the conditions for Coquitlam to move forward.
Advocacy
I know what it takes to get Coquitlam heard. I have spent years advocating for communities at provincial and federal tables; building relationships, pushing when other levels of government needed to be pushed, and working in partnership when that delivered results.
As Mayor, I will put that experience and those relationships to work for Coquitlam. Whether it is infrastructure, transit, housing, health care or other priorities, I will make sure our city is at the table, our case is well made, and our fair share is pursued.
Building a Better Coquitlam
"I’m committed to growing Coquitlam responsibly, delivering the services our city needs, protecting our quality of life, and keeping our community safe. I will lead with fiscal discipline and accountability, work collaboratively, and ensure Coquitlam has a strong, respected voice. Trish Mandewo
