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

Hello@Trishmandewo.ca

Campaign: trishmandewo4mayor.ca