The Tri-City News sent out a questionnaire to all candidates in the local ridings for the 2024 B.C. election.
The following is from Jodie Wickens, BC NDP candidate in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain.
Name: Jodie Wickens
Profession: Director of programs and services for child and youth programs at a large non-profit
Residence: Coquitlam
Contact information
- Website: jodiewickens.bcndp.ca
- Phone: 604-475-5227
- Socials:
- Facebook: facebook.com/jodiewickenscqb
- X: @jbtwickens
- Instagram: @jbtwickens
Questionnaire
Recent legislation designed to get more housing built in urban areas close to transit has created tumult in some communities. How might your government further refine this approach to ensure the new housing that gets constructed also addresses local needs for affordable housing as well as homes for families and seniors?
One of the biggest issues facing people in this province is the lack of access to affordable housing. B.C. is a great place to live, but housing is too expensive. The BC NDP is taking real action to address the housing crisis. We’ve removed outdated rules that are blocking homes from getting built, which will help our kids and grandkids to be able to stay in their neighbourhoods and seniors downsize in the communities they love. We’ve supported local governments across the province with a range of resources and supports such as the $1-billion Growing Communities Fund. We’ve introduced new standardized designs to develop new housing quicker and partnered with the City of Coquitlam to save existing affordable units. For example, a $71-million investment from our Rental Protection Fund and a $5.8-million investment from the City of Coquitlam helped save 290 affordable units at Tri-Branch and Garden Court Co-ops. John Rustad has a long record of defending the status quo on housing, and that’s a big part of the reason for the housing crisis we face today. As your MLA, I’ll work with our city council to ensure we’re building affordable homes for everyone in our community.
What would your government do to help municipalities provide more supportive housing?
It’s heartbreaking to me that so many people do not have a place to call home. That’s why tackling homelessness and providing support to those experiencing homelessness is one of my top priorities. David Eby and the BC NDP have taken action to change the lives of those facing homelessness by opening nearly 6,000 supportive homes, with over 2,700 more on the way. I know there is more to be done, and that more supportive homes are needed to address the complex needs of many people in our community who are unhoused. I am committed to working with the city and our community to find solutions, together.
How would your provincial government support municipalities dealing with the increase in growth and demand for infrastructure like schools, childcare, parks and recreational facilities brought on by the new provincial housing regulations?
David Eby and the BC NDP are supporting local governments and making smart investments to strengthen the services people need in their communities. Recently, BC municipalities received a $1-billion boost through the Growing Communities Fund, including $18.6 million for Coquitlam. We have brought in 359 new childcare spaces in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain and are expanding access to $10-a-day childcare to put more money back into the pockets of families. I raised my children here, and I know that our city has grown so fast that we have fallen behind on social infrastructure. We need to keep building new schools, like the new high school and middle school now under construction in Burke Mountain. I have a long list of projects that I will champion as your MLA, including a new recreation centre for Burke Mountain and the continued expansion and building of new schools to meet the needs of our community. But we wouldn’t be in this predicament if governments had invested in local infrastructure 20 years ago, and if John Rustad hadn’t sold off public land that could have been used for schools, parks, and recreation.
How will your government help make $10-a-day childcare more widely available to more families?
As a parent, I know how much of a game changer accessible childcare is. It means going back to work with peace of mind and still having enough money in your pocket to provide for your family. Today, over 148,000 families are benefiting from reduced childcare fees, saving parents over $2.2 billion since 2018. Compared to when John Rustad was in government, the BC NDP is creating spaces twice as fast and has cut fees in half. Currently, thousands of families are paying $10-a-day or less, and there are more $10-a-day spaces set to open. We’re starting to see good results, but we have more to do. I am determined to work with the city, school district and community partners to open more affordable childcare spaces for families in our community. John Rustad is planning deep cuts that will mean fewer childcare spaces and higher costs. John Rustad’s old party cancelled the BC NDP’s $14-a-day childcare plan in 2002 and increased childcare costs for over 10,000 families. They left the childcare system in chaos: massive shortage of early childcare educators, high fees, and not enough spaces. John Rustad is a risk families cannot afford.
Small businesses are struggling with onerous leases, petty crime, increasing costs. According to a recent survey almost half fear they won't be around in four years. What will you do to make it better for those businesses to have a chance to survive and new ones to start up?
Small businesses are such an important part of our community and our local economy, and I know from talking to business owners just how difficult the last few years have been. The BC NDP has worked hard to help with costs and support business owners so they can succeed. We’ve cut the small business tax rate and are keeping it 25 per cent lower than when Rustad was in government. We’ve doubled the exemption threshold for the Employer Health Tax, which is a big break for small and medium-sized businesses. And we will keep helping businesses with the costs of preventing property crime and cleaning up vandalism, like the rebate program for small businesses that gives $2,000 per year to cover any vandalism and a one-time $1,000 rebate to set up preventative measures. As your MLA, I look forward to working with the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to support them to succeed.
Our cities are growing into the surrounding wild areas; that’s creating increasing concerns about wildlife encounters and the threat of wildfires, what kind of supports would your government be able provide in those communities to protect wildlife and residents?
We are so lucky in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain to have such amazing wilderness around us — in some cases, literally at our doorstep. Of course, that interface with urban development comes with challenges. To tackle the threat of wildfires to our communities, the BC NDP invested in the BC Wildfire Service to ensure it operates year-round and is increasing firefighter recruitment. We’re securing more equipment, planes and helicopters and deploying new, innovative technologies, including training in wildland/urban interface fires. We’re strengthening cooperation with local fire departments and experienced community members and stepping up prevention work to reduce fire risk near communities. Coquitlam has long been a leader in the question of wildlife interactions, and under the province’s new Bear Smart Community Program is one of 12 B.C. communities who have successfully attained a Bear Smart Community designation.
The 3030 Gordon supportive housing facility has become a bit of a flashpoint in the community in recent months; what would your government do to ensure such facilities not only provide shelter but also the supports and resources necessary to help residents going through addiction and mental health issues as well as provide the tools they need to get back on their feet?
Everyone deserves access to support when and where they need it, whether that be in the form of shelter, mental health support, or treatment. The BC NDP is taking key steps to ensure facilities like 3030 Gordon not only provide shelter but also essential supports for addiction and mental health recovery. Following recommendations from an independent review, BC Housing has partnered with RainCity Housing, Fraser Health and community organizations to improve services at 3030 Gordon. This includes expanding mobile response services to reduce congregation outside the facility and enhance access to care. Efforts are also underway to improve operational efficiency through the launch of PartnerHub, a communication platform between BC Housing and non-profit providers, ensuring smoother service delivery. Additionally, a peer clean team has been launched to improve the surrounding neighbourhood and maintain positive community relations. These initiatives reflect our government’s commitment to providing not just housing but also the necessary tools and supports to help residents address their mental health and addiction challenges and rebuild their lives. I know there are people who need even more support, and I am ready to dig in and do what it takes to get those supports for our community.
What will your government do to improve affordable housing opportunities for local students who attend Douglas College and Simon Fraser University?
David Eby and the BC NDP understand the challenges students face when it comes to finding affordable housing. That’s why the government is already building student housing, with 445 new student beds at Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Burnaby Campus and 368 beds at Douglas College’s New Westminster Campus. And, as your MLA, I commit to working for new student housing in Coquitlam, too. Students here, like people all across B.C., are feeling the weight of increased housing costs. Real estate speculators are driving up housing costs, and that’s a big part of the problem. While we are committed to building more housing units and protecting existing affordable units, John Rustad will cancel the Speculation Tax that has turned well over 20,000 empty condos into long-term homes for people. We’re protecting affordable units in rental buildings that would otherwise be torn down and redeveloped by corporate real estate investment trusts. We’re building new rental homes. New rental construction is at record highs — six and a half times more than a decade ago under Rustad. And, to help with the cost of renting, we brought in a $400 renters rebate and capped rent increases to inflation — well below Rustad’s old rates.
What plan does your party have to advance the creation of Pinecone-Burke Mountain Provincial Park?
Pinecone-Burke Mountain Park was created in 1995. Our community has grown significantly since then, and as a result we need to work with the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) and Katzie First Nations as well as the City of Coquitlam, recreation users, and other community partners on a master park plan. Public consultation will be an important aspect of finalizing the final plan. As your MLA, I want to make sure that Pinecone-Burke Mountain Park benefits everyone in our community.
How will your government support local Search and Rescue groups, in particular the construction of a new headquarters for Coquitlam Search and Rescue?
Coquitlam Search and Rescue plays a critical role in keeping people safe in our region. The BC NDP government is providing nearly $6 million to the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) so that ground search-and-rescue (GSAR) groups can continue to have the training, equipment and resources they need to help keep people safe. As MLA, I will work with Coquitlam SAR to secure a location that can strategically serve our community and the folks who come here to enjoy our amazing parks and outdoor recreation opportunities.
