Carmen Smith

Council · Port Coquitlam

Port Coquitlam 24 yrs

About

I'm running for Port Coquitlam City Council because I love this city and I want us to plan ahead, for our community, our seniors, for growth and safety that protects the charm we all appreciate in Port Coquitlam.

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.

✓ Support electrification of new buildings. 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.

~ Pursue available legal options to recover a fair share of the climate costs facing our community from fossil fuel companies and other big polluters. Neutral

✓ 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.

✓ 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

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

Transport

Connecting neighbourhoods through public transit and active transportation networks will cut pollution, improve public health, and make our communities more affordable (and fun!).

✓ Deliver reliable, frequent, affordable local transit. Supportive

✓ Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities. 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?

My contribution to climate action has primarily been through personal choices to reduce my environmental footprint, including reducing waste, reusing and recycling, conserving energy and water, and being mindful of my consumption and transportation choices.

I have not been involved in formal climate advocacy or environmental committees, and I would not want to overstate my experience. When elected, I would bring this personal commitment to Council and support practical municipal actions that protect our natural environment, reduce emissions and strengthen Port Coquitlam's climate resilience.

Questions for Port Coquitlam

Port Coquitlam is vulnerable to many climate-related risks (e.g., intense rainfall, flooding, wildfire smoke, and extreme heat events). How will you address these risks to increase our community’s resilience?

When elected, I would support practical investments that strengthen Port Coquitlam’s resilience to extreme heat, flooding, intense rainfall and wildfire smoke. This includes resilient infrastructure, effective drainage and flood protection, protecting trees and green spaces, and strong emergency preparedness and communication.

My goal would be to prepare for known risks, protect our natural assets, and ensure residents are better equipped to respond to extreme weather events.

If elected, will you do everything you can to ensure that Port Coquitlam implements the highest level of the Zero Carbon Step Code by January 2028, so that all new buildings are required to be built to be virtually zero carbon going forward?

Yes. I support Port Coquitlam moving toward the highest level of the Zero Carbon Step Code by January 2028, so that new buildings are designed and constructed to be highly energy efficient and virtually zero carbon.

I believe this should be implemented in a practical way, with clear timelines and consultation with builders, residents and industry to understand impacts on housing affordability and development. My goal would be to support strong climate action while ensuring the transition is achievable and does not create unintended barriers to housing.

Compiled & presented by

Authorized by Force of Nature Alliance, registered sponsor under LECFA, info@forceofnaturealliance.ca

Vote4Tomorrow is an independent voter guide to evaluate where local candidates stand on climate and environmental policies that will affect our future.

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