Port Coquitlam residents who want to learn more about their city’s activities and finances are invited to view the latest annual report, now available online.

Entitled Getting the Basics Right, the report reflects the work being undertaken to meet the basic core services of the City – from upgraded roads to make it safer to get around and parks where kids can play. An investment of $60-million in these services was made in 2018 through an ambitious capital program with more work planned in 2019-20.

A statutory document, the annual report will be considered by Council at the June 25 Council meeting. The report is also now available for public review at www.portcoquitlam.ca/annualreport.

For thirteen consecutive years, Port Coquitlam’s comprehensive, easy-to-read annual reports have won awards from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada. The 2018 report will be submitted to the GFOA for consideration for the Canadian Financial Reporting Award.

Highlights of 2018 featured in the report include:

• Significant progress on the construction of the 205,000 square foot Port Coquitlam Community Centre that will bring much needed services to the community.
• Rolled out a $60-million capital program that included eight kilometres of road rehabilitation, seven kilometres of utility infrastructure, a major upgrade to Centennial pool and improvements to pedestrian safety, traffic calming, street lighting and parks.
• Opening of the award winning Blakeburn Lagoons Park, the largest addition to the parks network in decades.
• Extension of the Donald Street Pathway, an important connector to the downtown and part of the City’s active transportation network that encourages walking and cycling.
• Adopted the strongest smoking bylaw in the region at the time, banning smoking and vaping of any kind at parks, trails and other public spaces.
• Endorsed a new Concept Plan for the downtown for planning purposes and took other steps towards maximizing the potential of the area.
• Held a municipal election Oct. 20 at which voters elected a new Council and two school trustees with a voter turnout of 28 per cent – two per cent higher than in 2014.
• Issued $138 million in total for building permits, many of which were for new housing.
• Expanded lounge seating capacity for craft liquor establishments to support this up and coming industry.
• Attracted 150,000 people to major events and festivals and continue to expand opportunities for the community to gather and celebrate.

Those who wish to convey concerns, comments or questions to Council concerning the Annual Report are asked to provide them before 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 21 by fax (604.927.5401) or email (grommadak@portcoquitlam.ca). Questions may be directed to Karen Grommada, Director of Finance, at 604.927.5305 or grommadak@portcoquitlam.ca.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca