How to Decide Who to Vote For in the 2026 Coquitlam Municipal Election

How should I decide who to vote for in Coquitlam?

Municipal elections are about the decisions closest to daily life. City Council affects housing, neighbourhood growth, transportation, parks, recreation, local services, property taxes, road safety, and how residents are heard at City Hall.

When deciding who to vote for in the Coquitlam election, it helps to ask two questions:

• What kind of city do I want Coquitlam to become?
• Which candidates have the judgment, values, and practical plans to help get us there?

What does Coquitlam City Council actually decide?

City Council does not control everything. It does not directly run the provincial healthcare system, the school system, or TransLink. But it does make important local decisions that shape everyday life.

Coquitlam City Council makes decisions about issues such as:

• land use and development,
• local roads and transportation planning,
• parks, recreation, and civic facilities,
• property taxes and city budgets,
• local bylaws and enforcement,
• public engagement and neighbourhood planning,
• city services and infrastructure, and
• how growth is managed over time.

That is why choosing city councillors matters. Council decisions can affect whether growth is well-planned, whether infrastructure keeps up, whether taxes feel fair, and whether residents feel heard.

What qualities make a good city councillor?

A good city councillor should be more than a familiar name. Voters should look for candidates who show judgment, independence, preparation, and a genuine commitment to residents.

Useful qualities include:

• Listening to residents before major decisions are made.
• Understanding local issues such as housing, taxes, traffic, parks, trees, and development.
• Being practical rather than making promises City Hall cannot keep.
• Being transparent about priorities and trade-offs.
• Balancing growth with quality of life for existing and future residents.
• Respecting taxpayers while still investing in necessary services and infrastructure.
• Standing up for neighbourhoods when decisions affect daily life.

Questions to ask before voting

Before choosing candidates for Coquitlam City Council, voters may want to ask:

• Which candidates understand the pressures facing renters, families, seniors, young people, and homeowners?
• Who has a realistic plan for housing and affordability?
• Who will manage growth carefully rather than approving density without infrastructure?
• Who will take traffic and road safety seriously?
• Who will protect parks, trees, streams, and natural areas?
• Who will respect property taxpayers and push for responsible budgeting?
• Who will listen to residents before major neighbourhood changes?
• Who has experience serving the community?
• Who seems prepared to do the work, read the reports, and ask serious questions?

How Benjamin Perry approaches the role

I am Benjamin Perry, and I am running for Coquitlam City Council because I believe City Hall should put neighbourhoods first and make decisions that work for residents.

My campaign is focused on four main priorities:

• Growth That Works for Residents — planning development so infrastructure, services, and quality of life keep pace.
• A Green, Liveable City — protecting parks, trees, natural areas, and practical climate action.
• Safer Streets and Managed Traffic — reducing traffic pressure and improving safety for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and people using mobility devices.
• Housing Needs and Fair Costs — supporting housing that meets people’s needs while respecting taxpayers and household budgets.

I believe Coquitlam can grow, but growth should be judged by whether it improves life for residents. That means better planning, stronger public input, fair costs, safer streets, more complete communities, and protection for the parks and neighbourhoods people value.

Learn more about Benjamin Perry’s platform

What if I am a progressive voter?

Progressive voters may want to look for candidates who support affordable housing, climate action, public services, inclusion, accessibility, renter concerns, safer streets, and protection for parks and trees.

They may also want to ask whether candidates understand how municipal decisions affect working people, families, seniors, renters, people with disabilities, and residents who are under financial pressure.

What if I am a fiscally conservative voter?

Fiscally conservative voters may want to look for candidates who take property taxes, infrastructure costs, budgeting, and accountability seriously.

They may also want to ask whether candidates are willing to challenge cost increases, demand accountability from regional bodies, and make sure new development helps pay for the services and infrastructure residents need.

What if I care most about the environment?

Environmentally focused voters may want to look for candidates who support stronger tree protection, better parks, protection for streams and natural areas, and practical climate action that makes neighbourhoods healthier and more resilient.

In a growing city like Coquitlam, environmental leadership also means asking how development affects shade, heat, stormwater, walkability, transportation, and access to green space.

What if I care most about housing?

Housing-focused voters may want to look for candidates who support more housing choices while also paying attention to infrastructure, affordability, family-sized homes, rental housing, neighbourhood impacts, and the real cost of growth.

The question is not only whether a candidate supports housing, but what kind of housing, where it should go, and how growth should be matched with roads, schools, parks, childcare, medical services, and other community needs.

Voting is about choosing a council, not just one person

Coquitlam voters will elect 1 mayor, 8 city councillors, and 4 school trustees for School District No. 43. Because voters choose multiple councillors, it is worth thinking about which combination of candidates will bring the right balance of experience, priorities, judgment, and independence to City Hall.

The next Coquitlam general local election is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026.

City of Coquitlam Elections

Related questions

• How do I register to vote in Coquitlam?
• Who can vote in the 2026 Coquitlam municipal election?
• What ID do I need to vote in Coquitlam?
• Where do I vote in the 2026 Coquitlam election?
• Benjamin Perry’s platform

Frequently asked questions

Who should I vote for in the 2026 Coquitlam election?

You should vote for candidates whose priorities match your values and who have practical plans for the issues City Council actually controls, including growth, housing, taxes, traffic, parks, trees, and local services.

What makes a good city councillor?

A good city councillor listens to residents, understands local issues, asks serious questions, respects taxpayers, communicates clearly, and makes decisions based on the long-term interests of the community.

Should I vote based on one issue?

One issue may matter most to you, but City Council makes decisions across many areas. It is useful to consider how candidates approach housing, taxes, traffic, parks, development, safety, and public engagement together.

How many councillors are elected in Coquitlam?

Coquitlam voters will elect 8 city councillors in the 2026 general local election.

Is this an official City of Coquitlam election page?

No. This page is provided by Benjamin Perry’s campaign as a voter information resource. For official election information, please check the City of Coquitlam website.

Official sources

• City of Coquitlam Elections
• City of Coquitlam Voter Information