Engaged residents are invited to help shape the City’s future by sharing their experiences, ideas, and perspectives as part of the Mayor’s Citizen Advisory Roundtable (MCAR).
Life-long Port Coquitlam resident Mayor Brad West understands the value of neighbours coming together to discuss their community. Since being elected in October 2018, he has established an open-door approach to engaging the community. Mayor West created the Mayor’s Citizen Advisory Roundtable to create a forum for Mayor and Council to:
Hear from members of the community
Exchange ideas about how to address challenges, and
Seek input on a variety of topics, from budgets to City projects and community development
Council will consider the group’s input as it makes decisions on matters throughout the year. Participating in the roundtable is a great opportunity to give back to the community and play a role shaping the City’s future. The Mayor’s Citizen Advisory Roundtable replaces the citizen advisor positions on previous Council Committees. Advisors will sit for a two-year term with an option to continue.
2025-2026 MCAR Members
Volunteer members are appointed by the Mayor for a term of two (2) years with the possibility of re-appointment for additional terms.
Diana Barry
Dawn Becker
Taura Berg
Devon Bouillon
Aman Brah
Andrew Corbould
Meena Dhillon
Gord Ditchburn
Sarah Harbord
Fatima (Fatemeh) Hozouri
Brian Johnson
Gary Kumka
Ziggy Linklater
Shawna Lum-Thompson
Rhonda Madaski
Donald Preston
Dave Silveira
Russell Smithson
Leanne Tao
Rob Toor
Joshua Wahl
Craig Widmer
Becca Yu Lewis
MCAR Accomplishments
Volunteer members are appointed by the Mayor for a term of two (2) years with the possibility of re-appointment for additional terms.
2023-2024 Accomplishments
MCAR’s' input helped shaped the City's policies and Council priorities, aligning projects with community values and concerns, impacting areas like safety, infrastructure, sustainability, and economic development
Feedback guided various department projects through budget processes, strategic plans, and legislation discussions
Provided insights from events that included May Days Festival, Car Free Day and PoCo Climb which helped to improve future event planning, enhancing accessibility and introducing new events like the Parade of Lights
Strategic decisions based on feedback led to adding RCMP officers, firefighters, and investing in cybersecurity infrastructure
Added new collaborative initiatives such as the new Hospitality Roundtable, providing an avenue for interested parties to come together, share insights and create innovative solutions for community challenges.
Enhanced community connectivity leading to the creation of several initiatives aimed at better linking residents with key community spaces such the multi-use path on Kingsway Avenue.
2023-2024 Members
Volunteer members are appointed by the Mayor for a term of two (2) years with the possibility of re-appointment for additional terms.
Provided direct input through discussion with the city consultants and Directors into the following city initiatives:
Police Model Review
Master Transportation Plan – particularly around how to solve the Traffic and Safety issues
Climate Action Plan
Downtown Projects, including revitalization of the downtown, Veterans Park and Leigh Square, and discussion with Downtown Business Improvement Association
RCMP Strategic Planning – input provided to the consultant preparing the detachment’s Strategic Plan
Housing Needs report – presentation from the city’s consultant Urban Matters
City events – following COVID-19, events were brought back to the city and the group provided on which ones were successful, and feedback was provided
Provided input to the Communications Division on how to better get information out to the community.
Let’s Talk PoCo
Social Media
How to redirect Facebook conversation to Let’s Talk PoCo and the Sort It – Report It App
Email blasts
Discussions on the following topics:
How Waste and Recycle Initiatives could be done at a regional level vs the inconsistencies between cities and even with the city (private vs city collection).
How Metro Vancouver costs are escalating and what action could be taken to contain the costs that are passed on to the cities.
Public Safety issues discussed with the Officer in Charge and Director of Community Safety and Corporate Services, including providing input on priority areas that require attention.
Freshet details with the Engineering and Public Works Department, its potential impacts and the city’s mitigation strategy.
