Why are running again for federal office?
- I am running to continue to get wins for Canadians. The NDP’s work in the 44th Parliament got Canadians the largest expansion of healthcare in a generation and we are not done yet. The NDP Dental Care is continuing to expand and Pharmacare and affordable childcare are now law. With the Conservatives threatening to cut these and other important affordability measures for Canadians, Port Moody–Coquitlam needs a strong and proven voice in Ottawa who can win against the Conservatives and also to stand up for the additional economic threats coming to us from south of the border.
What are your Top 3 achievements in Ottawa over the past term?
- I personally led the introduction of the new Canada Disability Benefit in Parliament. Because of my unanimous motion in Parliament in May 2022, the Canada Disability Benefit will now roll out this summer. And on gender equity, I was very proud to increase the awareness around the unpaid work of flight attendants. I have a bill on the record that I tabled in consultation with the flight attendant’s union that will end the unpaid work of flight attendants and I will retable it as soon as I am re-elected. I have also done significant work on rent price-fixing among the largest corporate landlords. Because of my work highlighting unfair business practices the competition bureau is now investigating AI rent price fixing.
What are your party's Top 3 achievements over the past term?
- Dental Care and Pharmacare are legacy achievements for the NDP and for Canadians. These are achievements 30 years in the making and I was proud to be part of it. Both of these pieces of legislation have already made life better for millions of Canadians. We also helped to bring in the Affordable Childcare Act in the most recent Parliamentary session. This was to ensure more access and expansion to $10/day childcare, which is life changing for families.
What are your Top 3 achievements in the riding over the past term?
- We have achieved so much here in Port Moody–Coquitlam. Millions of dollars for the Anmore Hub, Spani Pool rebuild, Port Moody Inlet sports field, the Shoreline Trail boardwalk replacement and $25 million of the Housing Accelerator Fund came to us because of the NDP confidence and supply agreement. These achievements would not have happened without my advocacy. On housing specifically, I advocated for the post office at 45 Mary St., Port Moody, to be included in the federal lands program in order to be redeveloped for affordable housing. My office has also assisted thousands of residents with family reunifications and other federal issues. My office also allocates almost $1 million to small businesses and not-for-profits who employ young people through the Canada Summer Jobs Program.
What have you heard from constituents over the past term?
- People in Port Moody–Coquitlam appreciate where we live but they are struggling with the affordability of groceries and rent, and buying a home locally is out of reach for too many. Residents expect their government to help make life easier by addressing the affordability crisis with investments that help young people and seniors get-in or stay-in a home. They also want the giveaways to the largest corporations to stop. They know that the largest corporations are making record profits off of their backs and that only the NDP will address that corporate greed. The people of Port Moody–Coquitlam also want strong healthcare that is accessible when they need it. The Conservatives cut health care transfers and the Liberals did not restore them which has left our healthcare workers strained, stressed and exploited. The people I talk to everyday also care deeply about the environment here and they want our waters protected, both from pollutants and from Trump.
What gives your party the edge in this upcoming election?
- The NDP stands out because we are the only party consistently fighting for working people, not corporations or the wealthy elite. While other parties make promises that cater to big business, we prioritize the needs of everyday Canadians by addressing affordability, expanding healthcare, and ensuring access to housing. Our commitment to bold action on issues like rent-controlled housing, universal pharmacare, and climate justice shows that we are unafraid to tackle the root causes of inequality. Canadians want leaders who care about their struggles and deliver real solutions — and that’s exactly what the NDP offers.
What are your Top 3 campaign promises?
- Housing: We will double the Public Land Acquisition Fund to $1 billion over five years, build 100,000 rent-controlled homes by 2035 using federal Crown land and ban corporate landlords from exploiting tenants. By offering low-interest public mortgages and rescuing at-risk housing projects, we will stabilize the housing market and make homes affordable for all Canadians.
- Healthcare: Unlike the other parties, the NDP will expand universal pharmacare and dental care to all provinces and territories. We believe no one should have to choose between paying for groceries or life-saving medications. Decades of Liberal inaction and Conservative cuts have left Canadians struggling — our plan ensures better care for everyone.
- Standing Up for Canada: We will fight corporate greed, invest in Canadian jobs through infrastructure projects under our "Build Canadian, Buy Canadian" plan and ensure fair taxation so that the wealthiest pay their share. This will help fund public services and create a more equitable society.
If elected, how will you and your party ensure you are available to constituents?
- For the last four years, I have made it a priority to meet with my constituents out in the community all the time. They know me and they know that myself and my office are always accessible. My local NDP office has been open for walk-ins since the beginning of my term and is always buzzing with activity. My office and my staff are known to be the most accessible and responsive in the Tri-Cities. I will also continue to door knock, even outside of elections, so I can meet and hear from constituents about the things that matter most to them so I can bring those concerns with me to Ottawa.
The Tri-City News will be closing no later than May 21. How will you and your party work to strengthen or change the Online News Act to ensure Canadians in communities of all sizes continue to have access to independent, trustworthy local information?
- The NDP recognizes the critical role local journalism plays in fostering informed communities. We will strengthen the Online News Act by ensuring big tech companies pay their fair share to support local news outlets like the Tri-City News. Our government will also provide direct funding to community-based media organizations and establish a framework that prioritizes transparency and equitable revenue sharing between platforms and publishers. By doing so, we’ll protect independent journalism and ensure all Canadians have access to reliable local information.
How are you and your party preparing for future pandemics?
- The pandemic exposed deep flaws in our healthcare system. The NDP is committed to building a resilient healthcare infrastructure by expanding universal pharmacare, investing in public health research, and ensuring frontline workers have the resources they need. We will also strengthen Canada’s domestic manufacturing of essential medical supplies and vaccines to reduce reliance on foreign imports during crises. Additionally, we’ll work with provinces and territories to improve long-term care facilities so seniors are never left vulnerable again.
How are you and your party implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action?
- Reconciliation is at the heart of our vision and values for Canada. The NDP is committed to fully implementing all 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). This includes ensuring clean drinking water for Indigenous communities, protecting Indigenous languages through sustained funding, and supporting Indigenous-led education initiatives. Unlike past governments that have failed to act meaningfully, we will work in true partnership with Indigenous Peoples to address systemic injustices while respecting their sovereignty.
How will you and your party address municipalities’ needs for more/upgraded infrastructure?
- Municipalities are at the forefront of growth but often lack adequate resources. The NDP’s "Build Canadian, Buy Canadian" plan prioritizes large-scale infrastructure investments that create good-paying jobs while addressing local needs like transit systems, water treatment facilities, and affordable housing projects. We’ll work collaboratively with municipalities to provide predictable funding streams so they can plan for long-term growth without being burdened by federal mandates alone.
How will you and your party improve income support for seniors and people with disabilities?
- Supporting seniors and people with disabilities are some of the most important issues to me personally, as they are two of my critic portfolios in Ottawa and I am extremely passionate about advocacy in these communities. The NDP has been pushing the Liberals to include income support to lift people living with a disability out of poverty and the NDP wants to bring in a National Seniors Strategy to make seniors health care a priority, reduce isolation and tackle senior’s poverty. The NDP forced the Liberals to deliver, and recently expand, a dental care program that allows Canadians to go see a dentist without worrying about having to skip a meal to afford it. This is a very important program that especially benefits seniors and people with disabilities who are often on fixed or low incomes.
With threatened annexation by the U.S. president, do you and your party support an increase in defence spending?
- The NDP believes in safeguarding Canada’s sovereignty through smart investments in national security — not reckless military spending increases that benefit arms manufacturers over Canadians. We would focus on modernizing our defense capabilities while strengthening diplomatic ties with allies to de-escalate tensions. Our priority is protecting Canada’s interests without compromising our values of peacekeeping and multilateral cooperation.
Canada's overdose epidemic is a national crisis. What will you and your party do to ensure that harm reduction services and safer supply programs are more available?
- Too many Canadians have lost loved ones because of the toxic drug crisis in Canada. We know that we must treat the toxic drug crisis like the emergency that it is. This means treating it as a health matter, listening to the experts and providing a safe supply of substances while also making sure that when people ask for help, we’re ready to provide it to them. Ending this crisis also means making investments in education and prevention, harm reduction, treatment and on-demand recovery services.
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