Incumbent outlines priorities as municipal campaign season intensifies
Coquitlam Coun. Robert Mazzarolo has officially launched his bid for a second term on city council, becoming the last incumbent to declare as the Oct. 17 municipal election approaches. A lawyer, community volunteer and lifelong resident of the city, Mazzarolo set out a mix of accomplishments and future priorities in a Sept. 10 news release reported today.
In reflecting on the work of council during his first term, Mazzarolo pointed to several recent projects and policy changes as markers of progress. Those highlights included the opening of the updated Mundy Park Pool, the groundbreaking for the Burke Mountain Community Centre, requirements for increased commercial and office space in new developments and the hiring of additional emergency personnel. In his release he framed those efforts as delivering a “safer city that is welcoming, vibrant and delivers the services Coquitlam residents deserve.”
“These accomplishments, along with others, continue to build a safer city that is welcoming, vibrant and delivers the services Coquitlam residents deserve,”
Mazzarolo set out the issues he intends to focus on if re-elected. His priorities include advocating for a family-size housing policy, boosting economic development, improving transit and medical services, investing in community infrastructure and maintaining a fair budgeting approach so that “Coquitlam residents receive value for their tax dollars.” The candidate directs voters to his campaign website for further details.
Field shaping up across city as incumbents and newcomers position themselves
The announcement comes as a broad roster of candidates campaign across Coquitlam. Mazzarolo joins a slate of municipal hopefuls currently door-knocking to secure council seats. The full list of council candidates reported by Freshet News includes:
- Phillip Buchan
- Tali Campbell
- Ali Cina
- Matt Djonlic (incumbent)
- Steve Kim (incumbent)
- Genevieve Kyle-Lefebvre
- Benjamin Perry
- Matthew Sebastiani
- Harvey Su
- Kash Tayal
- Jane Thomsing
- Rosalinda Thorleifson
- Teri Towner (incumbent)
- Lien Tran
| Incumbent | Declared Mayoral Candidates |
|---|---|
| Matt Djonlic Steve Kim Teri Towner |
Craig Hodge (running for mayor) Madhavee Inamdar (switched to mayoral bid) Trish Mandewo (declared mayoral run) |
The municipal landscape has shifted since last year: Coun. Craig Hodge announced his mayoral campaign in the fall, and two sitting councillors — Brent Asmundson and Dennis Marsden — have chosen not to seek another term. On Aug. 22, Freshet News reported that Madhavee Inamdar switched her campaign from a council bid to run for mayor, and Coun. Trish Mandewo declared her mayoral candidacy on Sept. 1.
What this means for Coquitlam residents
Mazzarolo’s platform underscores familiar tensions in a growing West Coast city: balancing new development with community services and ensuring municipal budgets align with resident expectations. His emphasis on family-sized housing responds to long-standing calls from households seeking larger, affordable options as the Tri-Cities region densifies. The push for more commercial and office space in developments signals an interest in creating jobs and reducing commuter pressure, while expanded transit and medical services speak to infrastructure strains many residents have experienced.
With the election less than six weeks away, candidates will be tested on how their plans address housing affordability, transportation and the delivery of community amenities. Voters looking to follow the campaign can expect an Election guide from Freshet News on Oct. 1 and further coverage as ballots draw nearer.
This campaign entry completes the slate of incumbents seeking re-election and tightens a local race that will determine how Coquitlam navigates growth, services and fiscal priorities in the years ahead.
