Tri-Cities Community Television met with Tara Shushtarian, Green Party candidate for New Westminster–Burnaby–Maillardville, as part of our federal election interview series. With a long-standing commitment to environmental and social justice, Tara brings a grounded and forward-thinking approach to federal leadership.

Geneviève Kyle-Lefebvre – Local Journalism Initiative

Since immigrating to Canada, Shushtarian has been deeply embedded in the community, living, working, and serving in grassroots and civic initiatives. Now in her sixth year with Burnaby’s Environmental Committee, she continues to champion climate action, accessible housing, and inclusive policy-making. For her, civic leadership is not just about occupying a seat. “Civic leadership doesn’t mean only sitting at the table,” she told us, emphasizing her dedication to hands-on advocacy.

Shushtarian sees the federal government’s role as essential in funding infrastructure and enabling cities to expand affordable, non-market housing. In places like Maillardville, she says, municipal zoning can be paired with federal investment to create co-op units and housing models where rent remains at or below 30 percent of household income. It’s a vision rooted in long-term community stability.

Her platform also addresses the challenges of urban growth and affordability. She supports gentle densification, encouraging four- to six-storey buildings around SkyTrain lines, while ensuring necessary federal investment in infrastructure like sewer systems and transit. She believes growth must include support systems for youth and low-income families, and she is inspired by young people already reaching out to engage with her campaign.

Shushtarian sees the Tri-Cities as rising economic and social hubs. “Some see Burnaby as the center of Metro Vancouver, but I believe this is changing rapidly and the Tri-Cities could take that place,” she said. As a Member of Parliament, she promises to do her part in realizing that transformation through federal support for local business and commercial activity.

To those wondering what the Green Party stands for, Shushtarian is clear. “We don’t just look to tomorrow. We look far into the future, and that’s something we’ve learned from Indigenous communities,” she says. With bold proposals like free education, no income tax for those earning under $40,000, and a return to public investment in housing, her campaign invites voters to imagine a more sustainable and equitable Canada.