The Tri-City News sent questionnaires to each candidate in the 2022 civic election to learn more about who they are, why they are campaigning and what are the issues that matter most to them.
Candidates are being published to our website in alphabetical order.
Erik Minty
- Age: 50
- Years as a Port Coquitlam resident: 25
- Occupation: Startup tech entrepreneur, with prior careers as computer systems engineer, project manager and management consultant.
- Most recent civic/volunteer work? Currently I am serving on the board of directors for West Coast Climate Action Network, am a local campaign organizer with Force of Nature and serve on my strata council. This past summer I helped coordinate the adult drop-in soccer program in our community; in past years I served on the PoCo FC executive as referee coordinator and built the youth referee mentoring program. I’ve also served as a youth soccer coach, hockey coach and scout leader; and periodically offer my time for trail and shoreline cleanup and invasive species removal.
- Website: minty4poco.ca
- Email: [email protected]
- Twitter: @MintyErik
- Instagram: @erik.minty.poco
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erikminty
Why are you running?
"Years of volunteer public service have shown me how important it is to take responsibility for your community. I am concerned about the recent trend away from public consultation and the sharp increase in long-term debt. We need transparency and public consultation on capital projects and allocation of taxpayer dollars. Previously, there were committees that allowed residents to participate in the decision making process. The elimination of these committees has led to decision-making becoming too centralized. Port Coquitlam has a lot to be proud of, and we need stronger oversight on council to ensure limited resources are being prioritized effectively and that we proceed with the long term in mind."
What’s your No. 1 issue and why?
"If half the city is under water, traffic circle design will be the least of our worries. Critical flood risk mitigation activity has been ignored and is an increasing concern. We are surrounded by three rivers, one of which is tidal, and live on top of naturally poor drainage. A sharp rise in ocean levels of one metre or more, increasingly likely within the decade, along with heavier seasonal rainfall due to warmer ocean temperatures, puts us at severe risk of widespread flooding. We need to urgently prioritize working with senior levels of government to secure the funding necessary to mitigate this risk."
