Port Moody City Councillor Amy Lubick speaks to Patrick McCarthy about her first term on Council.

Amy says it has been interesting dealing municipally with an unexpected pandemic and worsening of the climate crisis and affordability. While not being able to communicate face-to-face with residents or staff and having to work digitally was challenging, it allowed more people to be engaged. Library and community groups stepped up to enable access to services during COVID. Port Moody initiated an awards program for residents who provided community services. The City worked to minimize impacts on residents despite having deferred tax revenue.

Amy discusses rental replacement and affordable housing programs. She helped develop recommendations, including inclusionary zoning (over a certain density, developers can either provide 15% affordable rental or 6% shelter rate (based on income). The Woodlands development, in collaboration with BC Housing will increase affordable housing by about 50%. Port Moody has completed an Affordable Housing Action Plan. Currently there is little ‘senior-specific’ housing to allow down-sizing within the community. Port Moody is currently a bedroom community, but economic development opportunities are being explored so residents won’t have to go downtown for jobs.

Port Moody is developing an Economic Development Plan to ensure that amenities are in place to support growth. Social well-being guidelines are being developed in conjunction with more compact communities. Amy supports setting clear standards for developers to ensure Port Moody residents get what they need (green space, affordable housing, economic development).

Council passed a Climate Emergency Declaration with tangible targets. They are also evaluating tree canopy coverage and tree bylaws, recognizing the importance of urban trees. They are attempting to ensure new builds have low carbon energy systems and to retrofit homes within the community. Port Moody supports the Clean BC Plan’s property tax assistance to clean energy to help people with the expense of retrofitting.

Amy is proud of work done with respect to reconciliation including conducting a blanket exercise. The City is working on government-to-government relationships supporting economic prosperity, housing, and some of the Truth and Reconciliation ‘calls to action’ .

Amy is running for a second term on Council on October 15th and hopes that whoever comes into leadership and Council will work together collaboratively.