Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West has doused speculation about a run for provincial politics after declaring his candidacy for a second term as mayor.
Citing the need for 'more work to do,' West issued a news release today (Aug. 10) confirming that he will seek another four-year term during the Oct. 15 municipal election.
“Serving as Mayor of Port Coquitlam has truly been the honour of my life and I have worked hard to live up to that honour by representing the people of our community to the best of my ability," West stated.
"I am incredibly proud of all the progress, improvements and projects being delivered all over our city, the respect we have shown to our taxpayers through our responsible financial management, and the common sense approach we’ve taken to community issues. We are getting things done and have much more to do.”
Among the items on his to-do list are completing the revitalization of the city's downtown, with projects such as an enhanced Veterans Park, Leigh Square and the Donald Pathway and bringing more community events, live music and performances to the city.
West also pledges fiscal prudence and holding the line on taxes, community safety, making it easier for new businesses to get established and create jobs, protecting green spaces and housing choices for individuals and families.
On his radar as well will be following up on improvements to the dangerous Mary Hill Bypass
In 2018 when West first ran for mayor, he was dubbed as the youngest and most outspoken mayoralty candidate.
Young politician takes the reins
West handily won the job, beating three other candidates. He obtained a hefty 86 per cent of the vote, with more than 10,000 ballots.
Prior to becoming mayor, West served three terms as a Port Coquitlam city councillor.
His press release lists a number of accomplishments, including completing the new Port Coquitlam Community Centre on-time and on-budget during a global pandemic.
Under his watch, the city supported the delivery of 500 non-market, affordable homes, now in various stages of construction, which he states is the "largest increase in affordable housing in decades."
West is known for his no-nonsense attitude towards politics. He's not too shy to state his opinion on issues such as money laundering and China's influence on Canadian institutions, such as the Union of BC Municipalities, when he pushed for the cancellation of a reception for politicians.
In using social media to wield influence beyond PoCo boundaries, West earned supporters as well as detractors.
West is now one of five known mayor or council candidates for Port Coquitlam this fall, alongside Sarah Harbord, Erik Minty, Jami Watson and incumbent Nancy McCurrach.
There are no other candidates seeking the mayor's job, as of this publication.
Harbord and Minty are first-time runners for the municipality, Watson is campaigning a second time in four years and McCurrach is seeking a second consecutive term around the PoCo horseshoe.
For more information on West and his platform, you can visit his campaign website.
You can also contact West directly via email (info@bradwest.ca) or on his Facebook page.
As well, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a series of all-candidates debates for local 2022 civic elections.
Port Coquitlam mayor and council nominees will get the chance to speak to the issues that matter to them, and take questions from the public, at Riverside Community Church on Oct. 3.
