TRISH MANDEWO ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR OF COQUITLAM
Two-term City Councillor and former UBCM President launches campaign COQUITLAM, B.C. – September 1, 2026
Two-term Coquitlam City Councillor Trish Mandewo today announced her campaign to become the next Mayor of Coquitlam, offering experienced leadership and a practical plan to guide the city through a period of significant growth and change.
Mandewo has served eight years on Coquitlam City Council and brings extensive provincial and national leadership experience, including two consecutive terms as President of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and service on the Board of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
“Coquitlam is a great city with a strong foundation, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together,” said Mandewo. “But the next decade will bring a different scale of challenge. How we manage growth, pay for infrastructure and protect our quality of life will shape Coquitlam for generations.”
“I am running for Mayor because I believe we can move forward with ambition while remaining disciplined about how we grow and what we ask taxpayers to carry.”
Four Priorities for Coquitlam
Mandewo’s campaign will focus on four priorities:
GROW - Growth on Coquitlam’s Terms
Increase housing choices while protecting local decision-making, attracting businesses and jobs, expanding the commercial tax base, and ensuring development contributes fairly to the infrastructure and services growth requires.
“Growth should pay for growth. A growing city should mean more taxpayers sharing the load — not the same taxpayers continually paying more.”
DELIVER - Infrastructure Has to Keep Pace
Plan ahead for roads, sidewalks, utilities, transit, recreation, community facilities and core services so infrastructure keeps pace with the location and speed of growth.
LIVABLE - Protect What Makes Coquitlam a Great Place to Live
Protect and expand parks and trails, invest in recreation and community spaces, and build complete neighbourhoods where residents can access the services and amenities they need.
SAFETY - Keep Our Community Safe
Prioritize community safety while advocating for stronger provincial and federal partnerships on challenges municipalities cannot solve alone, including homelessness, mental health and street disorder.
Experience at City Hall - and Beyond
Mandewo said her eight years on Council have given her a strong understanding of Coquitlam’s finances, infrastructure, services and growth pressures, while her leadership through UBCM and FCM has allowed her to advocate directly with provincial and federal governments.
“The next Mayor must be able to lead at the Council table, protect the City’s financial strength and make Coquitlam’s case effectively in Victoria and Ottawa,” said Mandewo. “I have spent years building those relationships and doing that work. I am ready to put that experience fully to work for Coquitlam.”
Mayor Richard Stewart, Councillors and Community Leaders Endorse Mandewo
Outgoing Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart, with whom Mandewo has served on Council for eight years, has endorsed her candidacy.
“Trish has demonstrated tremendous leadership and vision, great empathy and compassion, and an enormous grasp of the issues facing our community and province. She is both respectful and respected, and knows how to advance Coquitlam’s interests for the good of residents,” said Stewart.
Mandewo has also received the support of Councillor Brent Asmundsen, Councillor Dennis Marsden and Sharon Perry, CPA, adding to a growing group of community leaders backing her campaign for Mayor. Mandewo said she is honoured to have their support and grateful for the confidence they have placed in her leadership and vision for Coquitlam. “Richard leaves very big shoes to fill. His dedicated leadership, stewardship and deep passion for Coquitlam have helped shape the strong city we have today. I have tremendous respect for his service and would be honoured to build on that strong foundation while bringing my own leadership, experience and vision to Coquitlam’s next chapter.”
About Trish Mandewo
Trish Mandewo has served as a Coquitlam City Councillor since 2018. Her career spans science, entrepreneurship, governance, organizational leadership and public service. She began her professional career in microbiology and embryology before moving into entrepreneurship and leadership, advising organizations and boards on governance, strategy, accountability and performance.
Mandewo served two consecutive terms as President of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and serves on the Board of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). She has served on more than 25 public, private and non-profit boards and organizations.
Her leadership and community service have been recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Canadawide Media’s BC Businesswoman of the Year, the FCM Pam McConnell Award for Gender Equality in International Development, and recognition among The CEO Magazine Global’s Top 50 Women Over 50.
She and her family have called Coquitlam home for more than 17 years.
Contact
Campaign: trishmandewo4mayor.ca
Comments