Elected mayor of Coquitlam on October 17, 2026, with 15,654 votes, after 15 years as a city councillor. A photojournalist before politics, he ran with no elector organization and with the endorsement of the retiring mayor, Richard Stewart, on managing growth, keeping the city affordable and a safer Coquitlam: more police officers, foot patrols, a wildfire detection system and expanded care on the Riverview lands.
Craig Hodge was elected mayor of Coquitlam on October 17, 2026, with 15,654 votes in the City's official count, declared by the Chief Election Officer on October 21. The Tri-Cities Dispatch reported that Councillor Trish Mandewo had 7,309 votes and Madhavee Inamdar 2,895. He ran with no elector organization. Daily Hive reported that he was first elected to council in 2011 and that Mayor Richard Stewart, who did not run again, endorsed him at his campaign launch on October 15, 2025. The City's council page says he began as a photojournalist in 1974 at the Columbian and helped start The Tri-City News. His platform promised more housing choices, City spending under control, more police officers and foot patrols, a wildfire detection system, the Burke Mountain Community Centre, and expanded mental health care on the Riverview lands.
Researched by voche.me · Not a campaign-authored page
Tracked since October 18, 2026. Every change of status links to the vote, motion or report behind it.
His platform, under Quality of Life and under Environment, says he will protect parks, trees, forests, green spaces and natural areas, and preserve and expand Coquitlam's urban tree canopy. The biography he gave the City repeats the pledge to protect parks, trees and green spaces.
“Preserve and expand Coquitlam's urban tree canopy”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), VoteMate · Craig Hodge, independent for Coquitlam Mayor (the biography he gave the City) (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Quality of Life and Transportation, says he will ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth, invest in roads, utilities and neighbourhood infrastructure, and ensure new development contributes to the infrastructure it requires. At his launch he said a top responsibility as mayor would be to provide the infrastructure growth needs, the Dispatch reported.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Hodge announces Coquitlam mayoral bid as Stewart talks 'handing over the reins', by Jeremy Shepherd, October 15, 2025 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Transportation, says he will improve traffic flow on major routes and improve walking and cycling connections. He told the Dispatch that congestion must not spill into residential neighbourhoods.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam mayoral candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Quality of Life, says he will plan for schools, childcare and medical services. In the biography he gave the City he wrote that schools, childcare and medical services must keep pace with growth.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), VoteMate · Craig Hodge, independent for Coquitlam Mayor (the biography he gave the City) (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Quality of Life, says he will renew and improve established neighbourhoods.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Affordability, says he will bring more housing choices for families, seniors and young people and more family-sized two- and three-bedroom homes. He told the Dispatch that means townhomes for families, rental housing for young people, accessible homes for seniors and chances for first-time buyers.
“More family-sized 2- and 3-bedroom homes”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam mayoral candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Affordability, says he will support rental and below-market housing. At his launch he said 900 below-market homes had been built and 1,300 more were planned, and that as mayor he would keep looking for chances to build more, the Dispatch reported.
“But the need is great, so as your mayor I will continue to look for opportunities to build even more.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Hodge announces Coquitlam mayoral bid as Stewart talks 'handing over the reins', by Jeremy Shepherd, October 15, 2025 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Affordability, says he will keep City spending under control and work to keep property tax as low as possible. He told the Dispatch his focus is keeping property taxes affordable while protecting services, and the biography he gave the City says he will keep taxes as low as possible.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam mayoral candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab), VoteMate · Craig Hodge, independent for Coquitlam Mayor (the biography he gave the City) (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under A Safer Coquitlam, says he will hire more police officers. Daily Hive reported the pledge on election night.
“Hire more police officers”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Daily Hive · Coquitlam elects its first new mayor in 18 years, by Hanna Hett, October 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under A Safer Coquitlam, says he will increase visible neighbourhood and foot patrols. In the biography he gave the City he wrote that he supports more RCMP foot patrols.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), VoteMate · Craig Hodge, independent for Coquitlam Mayor (the biography he gave the City) (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Three candidates vying to be Coquitlam's next mayor, by Jeremy Shepherd, September 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under A Safer Coquitlam, says he will strengthen gang prevention and enforcement. The biography he gave the City names dedicated resources to address gang activity.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), VoteMate · Craig Hodge, independent for Coquitlam Mayor (the biography he gave the City) (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under A Safer Coquitlam, says he will improve traffic enforcement, and the biography he gave the City says stronger traffic enforcement.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), VoteMate · Craig Hodge, independent for Coquitlam Mayor (the biography he gave the City) (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under A Safer Coquitlam, says he will expand Community Safety Officers, and the biography he gave the City names community safety officers among the measures he supports.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), VoteMate · Craig Hodge, independent for Coquitlam Mayor (the biography he gave the City) (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under A Safer Coquitlam, says he will improve 911 call response, including answering mental health calls directly. In the biography he gave the City he wrote that he will keep advocating for improvements to 911 service.
“Improve 911 call response, including answering mental health calls directly”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), VoteMate · Craig Hodge, independent for Coquitlam Mayor (the biography he gave the City) (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under A Safer Coquitlam, says he will set up a wildfire detection system.
“Set up a wildfire detection system”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
Asked by Freshet News how he would support the fire department, he said he would like to see the two-person medic unit expanded and that the City will have to put another fire hall on the southern side of the city.
“And we're going to have to put another fire hall on the southern side of the city.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Freshet News · Craig Hodge, Coquitlam mayoral candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Mental Health and Riverview, says he will advocate for expanded mental health and addiction services, work with the Province and the federal government on long-term solutions, support early intervention and community-based care, and invest in better mental health supports.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Daily Hive · Coquitlam elects its first new mayor in 18 years, by Hanna Hett, October 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Mental Health and Riverview, says he will support expanded treatment and care at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə / Riverview and explore restoring more comprehensive mental health care on the Riverview lands. He told the Dispatch he supports reopening Riverview, and told Freshet News that the Province could use the lands for wrap-around services.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam mayoral candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Craig Hodge, Coquitlam mayoral candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Parks and Recreation, says he will deliver the Burke Mountain Community Centre.
“Deliver the Burke Mountain Community Centre”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Parks and Recreation, says he will plan for recreation amenities at Fraser Mills.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Parks and Recreation, says he will renew older parks, playgrounds and sports facilities.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Parks and Recreation, says he will expand pickleball and tennis facilities.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Parks and Recreation and under Environment, says he will improve and expand the Coquitlam Crunch, advance a trail connection to Crystal Falls and expand trails and connections to nature.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Parks and Recreation, says he will expand programs and spaces for seniors.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Parks and Recreation, says he will support arts, culture, festivals and community events, and under Local Business, community events that bring people to local businesses.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
Asked by Freshet News how he would add nightlife, he said he has long advocated for an entertainment zone near the SkyTrain stations, with a new theatre to replace the Evergreen Cultural Centre as its anchor, a row of restaurants and an outdoor skating rink.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Freshet News · Craig Hodge, Coquitlam mayoral candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
Asked by Freshet News whether a heritage management strategy would come in his term, he said he raises it every time council sets its priorities and that council had discussed how to save houses now that provincial small-scale housing rules limit the City's heritage revitalization agreements.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Freshet News · Craig Hodge, Coquitlam mayoral candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Transportation, says he will advocate for better transit service. He told the Dispatch he will lobby TransLink and senior governments to improve transit service and expand connections to underserved areas.
“I will lobby TransLink and senior governments to recognize Coquitlam's growth and improve transit service, expand connections to underserved areas and invest in road improvements.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam mayoral candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
He told the Dispatch he will advocate that the provincial government fix the Brunette Interchange and that the federal government and the Port Authority build a railway underpass on Westwood Street.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam mayoral candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Environment, says he will protect streams and environmentally sensitive areas. He told the Dispatch he has supported stronger water discharge rules and worked with the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation on the salmon hatchery near Coquitlam Dam.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam mayoral candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Environment, says he will support practical measures to reduce emissions and waste.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Local Business, says he will keep Coquitlam competitive for businesses and investment, attract new employers and services, and create more chances to work close to home.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Local Business, says he will support small and independent businesses and reduce unnecessary red tape.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Craig Hodge campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
At his campaign launch he said that as mayor he would look for chances to build strong partnerships with neighbouring cities, the school board and senior levels of government, the Dispatch reported.
“As your mayor, I will look for opportunities to build strong partnerships with our neighbours, our school board, and senior levels of government.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Tri-Cities Dispatch · Hodge announces Coquitlam mayoral bid as Stewart talks 'handing over the reins', by Jeremy Shepherd, October 15, 2025 (opens in a new tab).
Craig Hodge was elected mayor of Coquitlam on October 17, 2026. The City of Coquitlam's official count gives him 15,654 votes, and the City's Chief Election Officer declared him elected on October 21, 2026. The Tri-Cities Dispatch reported that Councillor Trish Mandewo finished with 7,309 votes and Madhavee Inamdar with 2,895, and that 26,180 people voted, a turnout of 24.42 per cent. Freshet News reported that Councillor Matt Djonlic, with 15,905 votes, had 251 votes more than Hodge. The City's results print no elector organization for any candidate, and VoteMate lists him as an independent.
Daily Hive reported on October 16, 2025 that he was first elected to Coquitlam City Council in 2011, that he won the most votes of any council candidate in 2014, 2018 and 2022, and that Mayor Richard Stewart announced at Hodge's campaign launch that he would not run again and endorsed him. Freshet News and the Tri-Cities Dispatch both covered the launch at the Evergreen Cultural Centre on October 15, 2025. The Dispatch quoted him: "I want to continue the good work of this council to deliver new facilities, maintain services and manage costs, and maintain our residents' quality of life as our city grows." Freshet News reported that he pledged to manage growth responsibly, keep Coquitlam affordable and keep the community safe.
The City's council page says he began his career as a photojournalist in 1974 at the Columbian Daily Newspaper in Coquitlam, helped start The Tri-City News when the Columbian closed in 1984, and worked there until he retired in June 2011. The page lists him as chair of the City's Community Safety Advisory Committee, a director on the Metro Vancouver board, chair of the National Zero Waste Council, a member of the Union of BC Municipalities executive and co-chair of BC's Local Government RCMP Contract Management Committee. Metro Vancouver's own list of board members names him as one of Coquitlam's two directors. The City's minutes of February 12, 2025 record him as chair of the Sports and Recreation Advisory Committee. By his own account, on his campaign site, he was a past president of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and of the Coquitlam Heritage Society and a Scouts Canada leader; voche.me has not checked these with those bodies.
The City's council minutes of February 13, 2023 record that he moved the first three readings of the 2023 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw and of the loan authorization bylaw for the Northeast Community Centre, Park and Plaza; Councillor Dennis Marsden registered opposition to the financial plan. The Tri-Cities Dispatch reported in October 2024 that, when council discussed energy and carbon rules for new buildings that would reach their strictest level in 2028, he said: "We could have a major heat dome next summer." The Dispatch reported in February 2025 that he favoured corporate sponsorship of events over selling the names of City facilities. In December 2025, as acting mayor, he opened council's budget debate; the Dispatch reported that the 2026 budget, with a 3.37 per cent property tax increase, passed 7 to 1 with Marsden opposed, and quoted Hodge: "I wish it was lower."
His platform has eight sections: quality of life, affordability, safety, mental health and Riverview, parks and recreation, transportation, local business and the environment. In answers printed by the Tri-Cities Dispatch on October 13, 2026 he said he would lobby TransLink for more transit, press the Province to fix the Brunette Interchange and the federal government and the Port Authority to build a rail underpass on Westwood Street, and that he would not support Flock or Axon surveillance cameras without strong privacy protections. Asked by the Dispatch whether he accepts contributions from developers, he said his contributors include people who work in the construction industry and that all contributions must follow BC's financing laws. In Freshet News's candidate profile of September 30, 2026 he said the City would need another fire hall on its south side, that he would like a new theatre to replace the Evergreen Cultural Centre with an entertainment zone near SkyTrain, and that there is a place for involuntary care.
On election night at Glen Pine Pavilion he told supporters, the Dispatch reported: "The work ahead will require collaboration, honest conversations, and a willingness to find common ground." Freshet News reported that at the last council meeting of the term, on October 19, 2026, Stewart passed the mayor's gavel to him, and that the inaugural meeting of the new council is set for November 9, 2026.
Summarized from the campaign’s published profile. These are stated positions, not an assessment of results or a complete platform.
His platform's first section promises to protect parks, trees and green spaces, make infrastructure keep pace with growth, improve roads, transit and pedestrian connections, and plan for schools, child care and medical services.
At his campaign launch he pledged to manage growth responsibly, Freshet News reported, with housing options for students, seniors and families, the Dispatch added.
His platform promises more housing choices for families, seniors and young people, more two- and three-bedroom homes, support for rental and below-market housing, City spending under control and property taxes as low as possible.
At his launch he said 900 below-market homes had been built in Coquitlam without property tax money and 1,300 more were planned, and that as mayor he would look for ways to build more, the Dispatch reported.
His platform promises to hire more police officers, increase visible neighbourhood and foot patrols, strengthen gang prevention, improve traffic enforcement, expand Community Safety Officers, improve 911 response and set up a wildfire detection system.
In the biography he gave the City's elections office, shown on VoteMate, he wrote that he supports more RCMP foot patrols, stronger traffic enforcement and community safety officers.
His platform says he will advocate for expanded mental health and addiction services and support expanded treatment and care at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə / Riverview, working with the Province and the federal government.
He told the Dispatch he supports reopening Riverview, and told Freshet News that there is a place for involuntary care.
His platform promises to deliver the Burke Mountain Community Centre, plan recreation at Fraser Mills, renew older parks and sports facilities, expand pickleball and tennis, improve the Coquitlam Crunch and advance a trail to Crystal Falls.
Craig Hodge campaign · PlatformHe told the Dispatch he would lobby TransLink and senior governments for more transit, press the Province to fix the Brunette Interchange, and press the federal government and the Port Authority to build a railway underpass on Westwood Street.
Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam mayoral candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026His platform promises to cut unnecessary red tape for small businesses, attract new employers, protect streams and sensitive areas, expand the tree canopy and support practical measures to reduce emissions and waste.
Craig Hodge campaign · PlatformResearched on 2026-10-30 through the seven search steps listed below: the City's declaration, results per tabulator and voting-night release, the City's council page for him, the City's council minutes of February 13, 2023 and committee minutes of February 12, 2025, every page in the menu of his campaign site (home, Platform, Achievements, Endorsements; the News page is empty), his VoteMate page, Metro Vancouver's list of board members, and reporting by Daily Hive, Freshet News, the Tri-Cities Dispatch and Global News.
His campaign's account of his community roles (the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, the Coquitlam Heritage Society, Scouts Canada) and of the projects it says he proposed on council is the campaign's own and was not checked with those bodies or against the minutes. The City's council page gives his career in journalism; voche.me has not checked it with the newspapers. His Facebook and Instagram accounts were not read, because both show only a login page to scripts. The Tri-City News archive on vancouverisawesome.com answers 403 to scripts, so its 2022 profile of him was not read.
Daily Hive reported that he was first elected in 2011 and won the most votes of any council candidate in 2014, 2018 and 2022. The City's council page lists him as chair of the Community Safety Advisory Committee, and its minutes of February 12, 2025 record him as chair of the Sports and Recreation Advisory Committee.
City of Coquitlam · Councillor Craig HodgeMetro Vancouver's list of board members names him as one of Coquitlam's two directors, with Teri Towner. The City's page also lists him as chair of the National Zero Waste Council and vice chair of Metro Vancouver's Zero Waste Committee.
Metro Vancouver · Board membersThe City's council page says he started at the Columbian Daily Newspaper in 1974, helped start The Tri-City News after the Columbian closed in 1984, and retired in June 2011. The Dispatch describes him as a longtime photojournalist for both papers.
City of Coquitlam · Councillor Craig HodgeProposed questions for a future interview. They have not been sent to the candidate, and no answers have been supplied.
No questions and answers have been supplied.
Ask Craig Hodge directly. We send it to the campaign, and publish the reply here if we get one.
Facts voche.me can state about Craig Hodge's page itself, answered directly rather than left blank.
Craig Hodge was elected Mayor with 15,654 votes, 1st of 3 in the official count. The City of Coquitlam published the count, and every candidate's total is on the results page.
No. This page is researched by voche.me from public sources, listed below, and is separate from Craig Hodge's own campaign.
Yes. Craig Hodge currently serves as Councillor, City of Coquitlam.
This profile lists 27 sourced references, each with the date voche.me checked it, in the Sources section below.
The "Questions & answers" section on this page lists questions voche.me would put to Craig Hodge in a future interview. They have not been sent yet, so the page says plainly that no answer has been supplied instead of leaving the section blank.
The 2026 Coquitlam municipal election, including the Mayor race, was decided on October 17, 2026.
Announcements, event details and messages can be added here, with their source and publication date. No campaign submission has been added.
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Find the candidate’s website, social accounts and contact information.
