Patrick McCarthy (TCCTV) and Nancy McCurrach (Port Coquitlam City Council candidate) chat about Nancy’s upcoming run for second term on Council. Nancy has lived in Port Coquitlam for thirty years. She says Council has built over 500 non-market rental units, created a ‘demoviction’ bylaw, promoted drinking alcohol in certain parks during COVID, opened the new recreation centre, and allowed super-seniors to exercise for free. The City has dedicated 3.5 million to flood protection and climate action.

During COVID the rec centre was delivered on-time and on-budget. Council also helped people be less lonely by allowing drinking of alcohol in certain parks. Now that COVID is less severe there has been a street party on McAllister Ave. Nancy is a designate for Arts, Culture, and Heritage.

Nancy bought an e-bike during COVID and encourages others to do the same. She’s hoping there will be a multi-use path (MUP) along Kingsway, like the one on Prairie Ave.

Traffic is the biggest concern in Port Coquitlam and speed-humps in front of parks and schools have helped to slow traffic. We still need more reader-signs, scarecrow police, and police.

Nancy promoted having free ‘period-products’ in some City restrooms and for vulnerable women. 50% of women struggle with ‘period-poverty’ at some point.

Bringing the ‘Giants’ to Jon Bailie stadium was excellent for the community. Nancy says the recreation centre changes citizens’ perspective of the City. There is free parking, art on the walls, the Terry Fox plaza and community gardens.

Almost 500 non-market affordable housing units are in various stages of development, including housing for battered women and seniors. The City is working on 5,500 new units over the next decade and there is a need to increase affordable units from 10% up to 20%.

The City is investing 4.3 million in flood protection, including the culvert on Burns Road and the Cedar Drive pump station and the sewer system. Nancy worked on a rain garden in Lions Park. She says the City is getting more feedback on a climate action plan.

Daycare is needed in all new residential buildings and possibly tandem projects with the school district. Nancy says people are struggling. Different areas of the City have different concerns.