Attracting and retaining business, a possible byelection in Coquitlam and the need to buy local were top of mind at this year's mayors' barbecue hosted by the Tri-Cities' Chamber of Commerce.
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart, Port Coquitlam's Greg Moore - who also chairs the Metro Vancouver board of directors - and Mike Clay of Port Moody took an hour's worth of questions from the Inlet Theatre audience following a meal served up by Mr. Mike's of Coquitlam.
Emceed by social media expert Dave Teixeira, Chamber members lead the charge by quizzing the mayors on topics such as economic development, investing in local businesses and government transparency.
The hot-button issue stirred last month about politicians staying in a Vancouver hotel during a federal convention was broached by Dennis Marsden, a past Chamber president. Marsden also voiced concern about access to civic budget information.
Moore countered his municipality tries to get the word out each year prior to financial plans being decided; however, "we only get three people out to the public meetings," he said.
As for expenses footed by taxpayers, Moore suggested the Tri-City councils disclose their bills more regularly and in a detailed form that is accessible online. Currently, remunerations and charges are released annually.
Further on the "hotel-gate" hullabaloo, Clay was dismissive, saying conventions represent a small percentage of the civic budget while Stewart argued he and five Coquitlam councillors spent "18 hours a day" during the last Federation of Canadian Municipalities' gathering to lobby for $22 million worth of federal cash for local projects.
Later, Stewart said he'd like to see his city save money by not holding a byelection to replace councillors Linda Reimer and Selina Robinson, who were elected in May as MLAs. The high cost combined with the typically low turnout for byelections were among his reasons (city council is expected to decide on the matter on Monday).
As well, Stewart said he'd like to see the provincial legislation changed to permit municipalities faced with council vacancies to promote the first-place contender who lost in the campaign. On the other hand, Clay argued elected officials who run for senior government should be required to quit their municipal seat, thereby not allowing a "fall-back" job.
Asked why businesses would relocate to their cities, the three mayors were each given 15 seconds to respond. Clay - who wore a city of Port Coquitlam shirt in jest - cited the upcoming Evergreen Line, recreation services, affordable land and lower commercial tax rates while Stewart pointed to Coquitlam's QNet fibre optic network, affordable housing and helpful city staff. "It's a great municipality to live in and has a great mayor," he joked.
"And it's right beside Port Coquitlam," Moore quipped.
The mayors also responded to questions about the future sale of the Ioco lands, cycling paths to link the three cities and emergency response to natural disasters as seen in southern Alberta last week.
