Municipal politicians in the Tri-Cities filed their annual disclosure statements last month to outline their personal assets and liabilities.
But, as in past years, what the mayors and councillors revealed gives little detail about how they manage their own money or show where they can have potential conflicts of interest when handling city business.
According to the government, the paperwork — a requirement under the provincial Financial Disclosure Act — aims to see if there are areas of influence and possible cash benefits an elected official might have.
This year, Coquitlam politicians were the most transparent with their information, with a few listing all the firms in which they own shares.
The documents show Mayor Richard Stewart continues to hold two inactive holding companies resulting from the death of his parents.
In terms of income, he draws salaries as mayor; city liaison on the Metro Vancouver, TransLink and Municipal Finance Authority boards; and as the proprietor of Stewart Communications, his forms show.
Coun. Craig Hodge also owns a consulting business while Coun. Steve Kim owns Boiling Point Communications and Coun. Dennis Marsden is principal of True North Business Consultation and Clean Air Organics.
As for Coquitlam property (other than their main residences), councillors Chris Wilson and Brent Asmundson have land holdings.
In Port Coquitlam, where the disclosures are also only available by appointment at city hall, Mayor Brad West pulls in wages as mayor; Metro Vancouver and TransLink rep; and from United Steelworkers. Asked about the latter position, West told The Tri-City News he continues to work as a communications officer — on his off-hours — on special projects for the union. He declined to say how much he earned last year.
PoCo Coun. Steve Darling has two outside jobs — as an employee of Proactive Investors and as a consultant for the Canadian Mortgage Brokers Association — while Coun. Nancy McCurrach works at Telus and is a delegate of the New Westminster and District Labour Council representing USW Local 1944 Unit 51.
Coun. Darrell Penner remains an employee of Meridian Meats and continues to perform gigs at the Meridian Arms Pub as a guitar player.
Coun. Glenn Pollock is PoCo MLA Mike Farnworth’s constituency assistant and Coun. Dean Washington is the president of RPM Media, publishing such titles as RPM, Trucks Plus and Performance Plus; he also has Grip Tire Stores Inc., a franchised retail tire business.
And in Port Moody, where disclosures are available on the city’s website, Mayor Rob Vagramov noted on his forms that he pulls a salary as mayor and from his Metro Vancouver duties as well as from Macinhome, which provides Apple and Macintosh computer training and tech support, and Raw Autonomy, which he told The Tri-City News is an ecosystem design company that focuses on regenerative food systems and land restoration.
Coun. Amy Lubik s a policy analyst for Fraser Health while Coun. Zoe Royer owns Silk Art Gallery and Sweetheart Bakery World Inc., and has four properties other than her principal home: one each in Port Moody and Sechelt and two in Peachland. Coun. Steve Milani is a partner with Music Maestro DJ Service and Coun.
Diana Dilworth is the government relations manager for the BC Non-Profit Housing Association.
A spokesperson for the attorney general said the ministry is currently reviewing the provincial regulations around disclosures.
