Adel Gamar, Coquitlam Mayoral Candidate joins We’ve Got Issues host Nancy Furness. Adel’s parents immigrated to Canada in 1986 and Adel graduated from Centennial School in 1993. His desire to make an impact and serve was instilled during his upbringing. Adel moved to Calgary, became an elementary school teacher, married, started a family and worked as an educational specialist with UNESCO. He studied public policy at Harvard and taught leadership skills to people making complex, collaborative decisions. Challenges facing Coquitlam have changed since Adel’s first run for Mayor, four years ago. These include the COVID pandemic, inflation, a heat dome, housing crisis, and exponential growth. Adel says these challenges are integrated and cannot be addressed in isolation. Adel sees the challenge of housing affordability and daycare needs as opportunities to collaborate. The role of Mayor and Council is one of strategic problem solvers who engage the private and public sector. The Mayor needs to be present not only in the community, but also in Ottawa and Victoria advocating for the needs of the City and exploring opportunities for collaboration. Coquitlam needs more housing including rentals. Adel believes one option is ‘the garden suite’ which allows a smaller unit to be built close to a house. This allows seniors to ‘retire in place’ by renting either the house or suite. Libraries are important public infrastructure providing books, public washrooms, cooling centres, internet access, story-time for young people, and a meeting place for immigrants. Adel would like to see additional neighbourhood libraries and parks which are ideal places which provide people with a sense of belonging. He supports a female-inclusive City which is by default gender-inclusive. Adel feels big trees are important and deserve protection, and more trees need to be planted. He would like to see Kwikwetlem First Nations consulted with respect to trees and development. Adel consulted with Chief Ed Hall and Council prior to running. Adel says it’s important to hear as many voices and opinions as possible in a safe space and it’s the Mayor’s role to set the tone. He says knocking on doors and engaging people is a way to get more people to vote.