Dustin Chelen for Port Moody City Council - 2022 Municipal Elections

Port Moody City Council candidate Dustin Chelen joins Nancy Furness (We’ve Got Issues). Dustin was born and raised in Calgary. He completed his Law Degree at UBC, works in Technology Law, and says Vancouver and Port Moody are welcoming communities. He hopes to complete a PhD in Technology Law and to teach others how law can be used to better humanity. Dustin and his husband live in Port Moody for five years. Dustin has been on the Economic Development Committee and Tourism Committee for four years. He feels City Council has become divisive. Dustin knows how to negotiate and listen and understands the importance of bylaw and policy. Dustin supports bringing more people to visit Port Moody’s museums, parks and trails, which benefits the local economy. Dustin’s priorities include fixing traffic and parking problems, caring for parks, preparing for Climate Change, and ‘smart’ growth. He would like to see a long-term traffic strategy informing development. Port Moody should grow around sky-train or in areas where roads can support growth. Adjusting timing of traffic signals and re-routing traffic could help. Housing affordability affects young people and seniors, and more diverse housing options are needed. Dustin supports co-locating seniors’ housing with recreation at Kyle Centre and in proximity to the hospital. He feels the City needs a long-term development vision including expectations for developers. Dustin feels park maintenance could be enhanced and supports expanding Rocky Point Park westward, upgrading board-walks, and drawing in visitors by transit to support the local businesses. He is not convinced enough is being done to protect natural spaces. He supports creating an Indigenous Relations Committee and including Indigenous voices in a governance structure. Dustin is hopeful more businesses can be attracted to help reduce property tax burden, provide local jobs, and add liveliness and services to the City, especially around Moody Centre. Light industrial development should be adjacent to rail and highways. A capital reserve is needed to prepare for a climate emergencies, including floods or wildfires. Dustin is pleased with some actions taken by the City including bans on single-use and plastic bags and the updated Sustainability Report Card. More parks in under-served areas and more dog parks are needed. Constituents look to Council as a representation of the community and Dustin feels Council could be more collaborative, kind, and thoughtful.