Port Coquitlam's civic race is heating up with another resident announcing their candidacy for the 2022 municipal election — set for Oct. 15.
Mithila Karnik is the fourth newcomer to put their hat in the ring, in addition to one incumbent and Mayor Brad West, who also announced he is running.
Calling herself a newly minted Canadian citizen and "proud" South East Asian, Karnik stated in a news release today (Aug. 22) that she is running to represent "the true fabric of the changing community culture and uplifting diversity of the city."
A resident of Port Coquitlam since 2018, and the mom of a toddler, Karnik is also a long-time worker in the creative and entertainment industry, served on her strata council and volunteers for Adopt a Spot with the city.
Candidate to focus on challenges facing newcomers
She states that she champions education and mental health and is a staunch anti-bullying, and an anti-women’s violence champion.
On the municipal front, Karnik notes that she wants improvements to dog parks, and promotes community safety.
"Better traffic by-laws, street signs, stricter adherence to walkway signs are a top concern and a priority," she writes.
Other issues include:
- Providing youth of colour mentorship opportunities
- Providing a safe space for new mothers and young families and opportunities for "shared experiences among their diversity," as well as access to support services, including mental health resources.
"I will focus on the challenges faced by new additions to the community in the form of homeowners, renters and business owners. Affordability and a transparent knowledge about the systems in place and how to navigate them; consequently ensuring Port Coquitlam lays down a strong foundation for all its future generations to live fairly, in equal measure and with the drive to move towards entrepreneurship if they so determine," Kamik states.
Port Coquitlam voters will choose six people for council seats, a mayor and two school trustees when they head to the polls in the fall.
Other known candidates who have formally announced their intentions to enter the race include Justin Alexander Smith, Sarah Harbord, Erik Minty, Jami Watson, council incumbent Nancy McCurrach, and mayoral incumbent Brad West.
For SD43's board of education, Michael Thomas and Christine Pollock have both announced they are running again.
For more information on Karnik and her platform, you can visit her Instagram page.
You can also contact her directly via email: mithilakarnik@icloud.com.
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.
