Kash Tayal
Council · Coquitlam
- Neighbourhood:
- Coquitlam
- Years in the community:
- 10
About
Hard work, resilience and disciplined financial management to a self made entrepreneur, a family man and community volunteer, committed to fiscal responsibility supporting families, neighborhood, housing, commute, sports and smart city innovations.
Policy commitments
Buildings
We all want healthy, affordable, and comfortable homes. These policies will help to lower energy bills, cut pollution, and improve indoor air quality.
✓
Incentivize electric heat pumps and air filtration systems.
Supportive
✓
Incentivize renewable energy, battery storage, and smart-grid technologies in new and existing buildings to improve energy security.
Supportive
✓
Scale up energy retrofits for existing homes, businesses, and public buildings.
Supportive
Climate Justice
Our community is already experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution, and taxpayers are on the hook to upgrade and repair critical infrastructure.
✓
Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources.
Supportive
✓
Collaborate with Indigenous peoples as partners in the stewardship of the land, air, and water, and work towards reconciliation.
Supportive
Ecosystems
The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat all rely on healthy ecosystems. Nature can also help protect our community from extreme weather by controlling floods, protecting shorelines, and cooling neighbourhoods. Access to nature improves the health and well-being of residents, and supports biodiversity.
✓
Protect and restore ecosystems, which are essential to human survival, health, and economic well-being.
Supportive
✓
Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater.
Supportive
✓
Prioritize native tree planting in all areas, especially those with low tree cover, higher population densities, and more vulnerable residents.
Supportive
✓
Create connected urban greenways for people and wildlife.
Supportive
Land Use
We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.
✓
Build affordable homes near jobs, schools, shops, and transit.
Supportive
✓
Upgrade critical infrastructure for heat, fire, flood, and storm resilience.
Supportive
✓
Increase food security by supporting local agriculture and community gardens.
Supportive
Transport
Connecting neighbourhoods through public transit and active transportation networks will cut pollution, improve public health, and make our communities more affordable (and fun!).
✓
Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities.
Supportive
✓
Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone.
Supportive
✓
Expand EV charging infrastructure.
Supportive
Watersheds
Climate change, increasing populations, and overconsumption threaten our water security. Healthy watersheds and forests are critical to support clean drinking water, stormwater management, climate resilience, and biodiversity for future generations.
✓
Implement water conservation plans and educate the public to conserve drinking water.
Supportive
✓
Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure.
Supportive
✓
Develop and implement a water security plan.
Supportive
Zero Waste
Zero waste policies reduce pollution, keep waste out of landfills, build resilient local economies, and safeguard public health by shifting society away from a disposable culture toward a sustainable circular economy.
✓
Implement zero waste bylaws to divert organic waste and recyclables from disposal.
Supportive
✓
Support the development of a circular economy to eliminate waste and improve resilience.
Supportive
✓
Implement bylaws to eliminate waste from new buildings, renovation, and demolition projects and to use existing buildings as efficiently as possible.
Supportive
✓ Supportive
~ Neutral
× Opposed
– No response
Climate action
How have you contributed to climate action in your community through advocacy, past work, advisory committees, volunteer work, and/or reducing your personal carbon footprint?
Climate action starts with both personal responsibility and community leadership. I have
consistently supported sustainable practices, advocated for thoughtful growth, and encouraged
policies that balance environmental stewardship with the needs of residents.
I have been an active advocate for complete, transit-oriented communities that reduce car
dependency, protect green spaces, and promote sustainable development. I support measures that
increase energy efficiency, expand urban tree canopy, and integrate environmental considerations
into long-term planning.
On a personal level, I strive to reduce my own carbon footprint through energy conservation,
waste reduction, and choosing sustainable transportation options whenever possible. I also
believe that meaningful climate action happens at the local level, where municipalities can make
practical decisions that improve sustainability while maintaining affordability and quality of life.
As a council candidate, I am committed to supporting evidence-based climate solutions that help
Coquitlam remain a resilient, healthy, and environmentally responsible community for current
and future generations.
consistently supported sustainable practices, advocated for thoughtful growth, and encouraged
policies that balance environmental stewardship with the needs of residents.
I have been an active advocate for complete, transit-oriented communities that reduce car
dependency, protect green spaces, and promote sustainable development. I support measures that
increase energy efficiency, expand urban tree canopy, and integrate environmental considerations
into long-term planning.
On a personal level, I strive to reduce my own carbon footprint through energy conservation,
waste reduction, and choosing sustainable transportation options whenever possible. I also
believe that meaningful climate action happens at the local level, where municipalities can make
practical decisions that improve sustainability while maintaining affordability and quality of life.
As a council candidate, I am committed to supporting evidence-based climate solutions that help
Coquitlam remain a resilient, healthy, and environmentally responsible community for current
and future generations.
Questions for Coquitlam
To be community oriented, new housing development must be integrated with local infrastructure - jobs, schools, shops, transit, walkable nature, green energy. How would you ensure adequate infrastructure to support increased density and population?
Growth must be planned as complete communities, not just housing projects. If elected to
Coquitlam City Council, I will support development that is integrated with the infrastructure
residents need every day: schools, childcare, transit, parks, shops, jobs, and community services.
First, we need to align housing approvals with infrastructure planning. That means working
closely with the Province, School District 43, TransLink, and health authorities to ensure
services keep pace with population growth.
Second, I support focusing higher-density housing around SkyTrain stations, town center, and
major transit corridors. This creates walkable neighborhoods where people can access daily
needs without relying on a car, reducing congestion and improving quality of life.
Third, every new development should contribute to creating complete communities. Residents
should be able to live, work, shop, and recreate close to home. Mixed-use development, local
businesses, community gathering spaces, and accessible parks all play an important role in
building vibrant neighborhoods.
Finally, growth should help pay for growth. Developer contributions must be used strategically
to fund infrastructure improvements, parks, community amenities, and sustainable solutions such
as energy-efficient buildings and green infrastructure.
Coquitlam is growing, and that growth presents an opportunity. By planning responsibly and
investing in the infrastructure that supports residents, we can increase housing while preserving
the livability, natural beauty, and strong sense of community that make Coquitlam a great place
to call home.
Coquitlam City Council, I will support development that is integrated with the infrastructure
residents need every day: schools, childcare, transit, parks, shops, jobs, and community services.
First, we need to align housing approvals with infrastructure planning. That means working
closely with the Province, School District 43, TransLink, and health authorities to ensure
services keep pace with population growth.
Second, I support focusing higher-density housing around SkyTrain stations, town center, and
major transit corridors. This creates walkable neighborhoods where people can access daily
needs without relying on a car, reducing congestion and improving quality of life.
Third, every new development should contribute to creating complete communities. Residents
should be able to live, work, shop, and recreate close to home. Mixed-use development, local
businesses, community gathering spaces, and accessible parks all play an important role in
building vibrant neighborhoods.
Finally, growth should help pay for growth. Developer contributions must be used strategically
to fund infrastructure improvements, parks, community amenities, and sustainable solutions such
as energy-efficient buildings and green infrastructure.
Coquitlam is growing, and that growth presents an opportunity. By planning responsibly and
investing in the infrastructure that supports residents, we can increase housing while preserving
the livability, natural beauty, and strong sense of community that make Coquitlam a great place
to call home.
Tree canopies provide micro climate benefits. New planted trees reduce overall emissions by breathing in CO2 but take decades to reach mature tree canopy cover. How would you increase city retention of mature trees and establish adequate canopy standards?
Tree canopies are one of Coquitlam's most valuable environmental assets, providing shade,
cooling, habitat, and carbon storage that new trees can take decades to match. At the same time,
we need a balanced approach that supports both growth and environmental stewardship.
As a councillor, I would support clear tree retention policies that prioritize preserving mature trees
wherever feasible, particularly during redevelopment, while recognizing that some removals may
be necessary to accommodate housing and infrastructure. I would also advocate for measurable
city-wide canopy targets and transparent reporting on our progress.
Where tree removal is unavoidable, replacement requirements should reflect the value of the
canopy lost, with a focus on long-term survival and maintenance of new trees. In addition, we
should continue expanding tree planting along streets, in parks, around schools, and within
growing neighborhoods.
My goal is to ensure Coquitlam remains a green, livable city by protecting significant trees
where possible, growing our urban forest, and managing development responsibly.
cooling, habitat, and carbon storage that new trees can take decades to match. At the same time,
we need a balanced approach that supports both growth and environmental stewardship.
As a councillor, I would support clear tree retention policies that prioritize preserving mature trees
wherever feasible, particularly during redevelopment, while recognizing that some removals may
be necessary to accommodate housing and infrastructure. I would also advocate for measurable
city-wide canopy targets and transparent reporting on our progress.
Where tree removal is unavoidable, replacement requirements should reflect the value of the
canopy lost, with a focus on long-term survival and maintenance of new trees. In addition, we
should continue expanding tree planting along streets, in parks, around schools, and within
growing neighborhoods.
My goal is to ensure Coquitlam remains a green, livable city by protecting significant trees
where possible, growing our urban forest, and managing development responsibly.
Describe your position on early adoption and implementation of the Zero Carbon Step Code* for new residential buildings? (*introduced in 2023 by BC government to allow cities to limit fossil fuel use in new buildings to reduce CO2 emissions)
I support moving toward the Zero Carbon Step Code because Coquitlam has a responsibility to
reduce emissions and build for the future. However, I believe we need a balanced approach that
also recognizes our housing affordability challenges.
As a councillor, I would advocate for a practical, phased implementation that gives builders
certainty, encourages innovation, and avoids creating unnecessary costs that could make housing
less attainable. Building energy-efficient, low-carbon homes from the start is often more
affordable than retrofitting them later and can help residents save on energy bills over the long
term.
My focus is on finding solutions that support both environmental sustainability and housing
affordability. Coquitlam can be a leader in reducing emissions while continuing to build the
homes our growing community needs. The goal should be smart, achievable policies that benefit
residents, businesses, and future generations alike.
reduce emissions and build for the future. However, I believe we need a balanced approach that
also recognizes our housing affordability challenges.
As a councillor, I would advocate for a practical, phased implementation that gives builders
certainty, encourages innovation, and avoids creating unnecessary costs that could make housing
less attainable. Building energy-efficient, low-carbon homes from the start is often more
affordable than retrofitting them later and can help residents save on energy bills over the long
term.
My focus is on finding solutions that support both environmental sustainability and housing
affordability. Coquitlam can be a leader in reducing emissions while continuing to build the
homes our growing community needs. The goal should be smart, achievable policies that benefit
residents, businesses, and future generations alike.
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