Young local candidate centres cost of living and transparency in council bid
The Oct. 17 municipal election in Coquitlam has gained an independent entrant who says he wants to bring a grassroots, youth-driven perspective to city hall. Ali Cina, a 21-year-old Simon Fraser University student and long‑time Tri‑Cities resident, announced his candidacy for Coquitlam council this week.
Cina, who has lived in Coquitlam since 2018, told supporters his campaign is organised largely by himself with a small volunteer team. He said the website, launch video and door‑knock operation were all produced by the core group, an approach he described as intentional to keep the campaign close to the community.
“I’m not running because I’ve spent decades in politics. I’m running because I’ve spent my life in this community, I’ve talked to the residents and small business owners living these problems, and I think it’s time someone who actually understands them helps fix them.”
His platform is built around three principal pillars he says reflect what residents and small businesses have raised with him: cost of living, transparency in municipal spending, and a stronger community voice in council decisions.
- Cost of living — Cina proposes reducing property taxes and diversifying city revenue so the burden is not borne chiefly by residents and small businesses.
- Transparency — he calls for more accessible budget tools and itemized, quarterly reporting rather than a single annual report.
- Community voice — Cina says residents should receive earlier notice and genuinely meaningful consultation before council makes major decisions.
As a student of Computer Science and Political Science at SFU, Cina balances his studies with local work and volunteer commitments. According to his campaign materials, he volunteers with Fraser Health’s community research team at Eagle Ridge Hospital and undertakes freelance work in web and software development and security consulting.
Voter engagement and the case for turnout
Cina highlighted low civic participation as a motivating factor for his run. He noted that in the 2022 municipal election only about one in five eligible Coquitlam voters cast a ballot, and argued that council can be decided by a relatively small slice of the electorate as a result. He urged that increased turnout would give residents more influence over city decisions.
The candidate’s focus on transparent budgeting and more frequent reporting would represent a procedural change at city hall if adopted. Cina says an easier‑to‑use budget tool for residents and quarterly, itemized disclosures would help the public understand municipal spending and hold council accountable between elections.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Candidate | Ali Cina |
| Age | 21 |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Election date | Oct. 17, 2026 |
Coquitlam voters will see Cina’s positions compete with those of incumbents and other challengers in the months leading up to the municipal vote. His student perspective, technical skills and volunteer experience at a local health facility are central to the campaign narrative he is offering: that a younger, locally rooted voice can address affordability, make municipal finances more understandable, and deepen resident participation.
Whether Cina’s grassroots strategy of direct outreach and small‑team organising will translate to broader support across Coquitlam remains to be seen. What is clear is that his campaign seeks to put fiscal clarity and citizen consultation at the forefront of debate as voters prepare to select a council that will make decisions affecting housing costs, city services and business supports.
In the run‑up to the election, residents can expect to see Cina engage in door‑knocking and online outreach, and to hear more detailed policy proposals should his campaign gain traction. For now, his entry adds a youthful, independent option to a municipal contest where turnout and engagement are already in the spotlight.
