Tri-Cities Community Television met with Nash Milani, Green Party candidate for the Port Moody–Coquitlam riding, as part of our federal election interview series. Milani, a lifelong resident of Port Moody, brings a fresh, determined voice to the federal stage. Running in a riding that hasn’t seen a Green candidate on the ballot since 2019, Milani is focused on breaking norms and pushing for more progressive representation that reflects the values and needs of local communities.

Geneviève Lefebvre – Local Journalism Initiative

Deeply connected to the region, Milani’s platform is shaped by lived experience and a clear understanding of the challenges facing residents across Port Moody, a third of Coquitlam, Anmore, and Belcarra. From skyrocketing housing costs to underfunded transit systems and strained civic engagement, his priorities are rooted in long-term solutions with a strong emphasis on collaboration, sustainability, and transparency.

Milani criticizes the “density bonus” approach that prioritizes high-rise development without adequate investment in services or infrastructure. Instead, he champions mixed-use, low-rise housing built with Canadian resources like mass timber and Canadian labour, arguing that the country has both the materials and the workforce to make affordable, sustainable housing a reality.

His stance on transit echoes this practical, holistic vision. As a daily user of public transportation, Milani speaks with urgency about TransLink’s funding crisis and the need for a federal role in revitalizing regional mobility. He proposes expanding beyond the current SkyTrain model, advocating for use of existing, underutilized rail lines that could link post-secondary institutions, Indigenous communities, and housing across the Fraser Valley at a fraction of the cost per kilometre.

Milani also stresses the importance of restoring civic participation. He calls out local councils for minimizing public input and vows to remain accessible and responsive if elected. He promises to open a physical constituency office and maintain direct lines of communication, especially for residents who often feel unheard at various levels of government.

Youth engagement is another pillar of his platform. He encourages young people to step away from algorithm-driven online spaces and connect with their communities in person through volunteering and civic involvement. Milani sees the next generation not just as voters, but as vital participants in shaping Canada’s political and social future.

On broader economic issues, Milani advocates for reducing reliance on the U.S. and reinvesting in Canadian industries, particularly those that contribute to affordable living and environmental sustainability. He criticizes federal subsidies to fossil fuel companies as corporate welfare, arguing instead for a redirection of those funds into housing, transit, and food affordability.

Ultimately, Nash Milani’s vision for the Tri-Cities is one of grassroots empowerment, environmental responsibility, and equitable development. He believes in a government that listens, acts boldly, and puts the needs of residents above political convenience. As voters head to the polls on April 28, Milani offers an alternative that is grounded in community values, climate action, and a belief that meaningful change starts at the local level.