Port Moody city councillor to challenge Glumac for MLA seat

Today, Sept. 20, the BC Green Party announced Samantha Agtarap as its candidate in Port Moody–Burquitlam for the provincial race.

Samantha Agtarap is a Port Moody city councillor who is seeking the MLA seat in Port Moody–Burquitlam in the October 2024 provincial election.PHOTO SUBMITTED

A Port Moody city councillor wants to be an MLA.

Today, Sept. 20, the BC Green Party announced Samantha Agtarap as its candidate in Port Moody–Burquitlam for the provincial race.

In the Oct. 19, 2024, contest, Agtarap will face NDP MLA Rick Glumac and BC Conservative Kerry van Aswegen.

Elected to city council in 2022 with fellow councillor Haven Lurbiecki — Glumac’s partner — Agtarap currently chairs the city’s Climate Action, and Economic Development and Tourism committees.

In a news release, the professional engineer and small business owner said she’s an advocate for climate action, and a protector of old-growth forests and ecosystems.

She also supports a Universal Basic Income and heavier taxation for large corporations like the oil and gas industries, as well as phasing out their subsidies.

“I am eager to work toward creating a better future for everyone,” Agtarap stated.

BC Green leader Sonia Furstenau said she welcomes Agtarap’s candidacy and her commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice.

“Her expertise in climate action planning and her commitment to science and evidence-based decision-making align perfectly with our values,” she said in the party news release.

Agtarap is the last BC Green candidate named for the Tri-Cities. Here’s who is running in the five constituencies (in alphabetical order for electoral district):