Nancy Furness (We’ve Got Issues) speaks with Coquitlam City Council candidate, Rob Bottos.

Rob has lived and volunteered for many years in Coquitlam as a Scout leader, a baseball coach, and on the Royal Legion poppy campaign. Rob feels a person’s ability to contribute to their community isn’t based on financial status. However, he says City Council lacks diversity with respect to financial status and notes financially established candidates have less of a challenge raising campaign funds.

Rob has participated on the Universal Access-Ability Advisory Committee for over five years and recently joined the Tri-Cities Homelessness and Housing Task Force. He feels homeless people are being left behind. His priorities include encouraging developers to build more affordable housing and building more purpose-built rental and co-op housing. Coquitlam also has a responsibility to advocate and build partnerships with Provincial and Federal Governments to develop affordable housing options. Rob’s vision of a complete community is a place where everyone can afford to live, work and play without having to commute to another community.

Attracting and supporting small business is important. If elected, Rob will listen to his colleagues to gain different perspectives on such issues, in addition to doing his own research.

Rob would like to find a way to keep some big trees when land is developed. Tree cover is important in cooling the land, as well as providing bird and wildlife habitat. Education is important to allow people to enjoy Nature while reducing their impact.

While densification makes sense along sky-train routes, land value has risen so densification may need to be spread out to within walking distance of sky-train stations. Municipal government has a responsibility to advocate for people with disabilities and can show leadership (e.g. by adopting the diversity equity inclusion strategy for employment). Rob grew up with Tourette Syndrome and is empathetic toward people facing challenges. Rob believes part of ensuring a respectful workplace is “if you see something, say something”. There is no place for bullying in the workplace. A respectful workplace allows Councillors to focus on the important issues. Rob feels it is important to have a code of conduct and supports having an ombudsman when issues cannot be resolved at the Council table.