Mayor Richard Stewart - An update on the last 4 years in Coquitlam.

Richard Stewart (Coquitlam Mayoral candidate) speaks with Cathy Cena (Tri-Cities Community Television). Richard was first elected as Mayor in 2008 and initially ran to break a 25-year impasse related to the Evergreen Line (completed in 2015). Richard says the housing crisis can be solved by more sky-train stations and housing close to sky-train. The major focus for the last 4-years was ensuring adequate Infrastructure, amenities and housing to meet increasing population within a limited land base. Coquitlam navigated COVID with help from great City teams to manage challenges with policing, programs, amenities, and worker and supply-chain shortages. The City met daily/weekly with health authorities to make sure Coquitlam was part of the solution. Mayor and Council delivered meals to seniors and witnessed the effects of isolation. The City ensured support of essential entities such as Share. Richard wants to continue work on Local Leaders for Mental Health, interrupted by COVID. This initiative brings together health and elected officials to consider mental health challenges local governments face. Recent capital projects include traffic infrastructure, Community Centres in Maillardville and Burquitlam, parks, and tens of thousands of housing units including affordable housing and rentals. Richard supports compact housing near transit and complete neighbourhoods to reduce traffic. Currently, housing affordability is partly due to lack of supply. Homelessness is a Provincial responsibility, but Coquitlam stepped up by donating land for the 3030 Gordon shelter, as well as housing on Brunette Ave. Drug addiction and mental health challenges parallel homelessness. Richard relates the need for all levels of governments to work together to increase mental health supports. Richard feels the City has a good relationship with Kwikwetlem (KFN) Chief and Council and believes we are on the right path to reconciliation. He speaks regularly to KFN members and Coquitlam recently signed a servicing agreement with them. Council approved a DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) program whose measures will embrace and celebrate all cultures. Diversity on Council includes a Korean- and an African-Canadian. Childcare incentives in residential and mixed-used buildings and a mechanism to help parents find childcare, increasing a diversity of housing, parks, putting development revenue towards needed amenities, getting all sewage waste up to tertiary treatment, expanding the transit network including bike and walking routes, and above all mental health are on the agenda for next term.