Elected to Coquitlam council on October 17, 2026, with 13,480 votes, fifth among the 20 council candidates, in his first campaign. A senior analyst at the Bank of Canada and chair of the Coquitlam Foundation, he ran with no elector organization on low and predictable property taxes, a balanced mix of housing, less red tape for business, an urgent care centre and a 24-hour police and mental health nurse team.
Matthew Sebastiani was elected to Coquitlam City Council on October 17, 2026, with 13,480 votes in the City's official count, declared on October 21, fifth of the 20 council candidates. Freshet News called him one of four political newcomers elected to council. He ran with no elector organization. Freshet News reported that he launched his campaign on June 1, 2026, that he is a senior analyst with the Bank of Canada, chair of the Coquitlam Foundation and a director of Place des Arts and the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce. His platform has five parts: affordability, financial stewardship, safe and accessible communities, community life and a future-ready city. His campaign site carries endorsements from Mayor Richard Stewart and Councillors Brent Asmundson and Dennis Marsden.
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 Practical Solutions to Affordability, says he will keep property taxes low, stable and predictable to prevent unexpected increases. He told the Dispatch he will work to keep future tax increases low, stable and predictable.
“Keep property taxes low, stable, and predictable to protect your hard-earned dollars and prevent unexpected increases.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), VoteMate · Matthew Sebastiani, independent for Coquitlam Council (his five pillars) (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam council candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform says he will support a balanced mix of housing options, including affordable rentals, family-sized units and seniors' housing. He told the Dispatch he would continue partnerships with developers, non-profits and senior governments and look at bringing in rent-to-own models used elsewhere.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam council candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (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 says he will streamline municipal processes and keep business tax rates competitive. Under A Future-Ready Coquitlam it promises technology for faster permit issuance, and he told Freshet News the City must cut red tape and speed up permits so small businesses can open.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Matthew Sebastiani, Coquitlam city council candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam council candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Responsible Financial Stewardship, says he will focus spending on essential services (water, sewer, roads, parks, fire and police) and base spending and service levels on clear data to get the most from every dollar.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), VoteMate · Matthew Sebastiani, independent for Coquitlam Council (his five pillars) (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Responsible Financial Stewardship, says he will ensure strict management of major capital projects so they are delivered on time and on budget. He told the Dispatch the same.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam council candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform says he will demand fiscal responsibility from Metro Vancouver so regional agencies end cost overruns. He told the Dispatch that council has not done enough to demand openness and fiscal responsibility from Metro Vancouver.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam council candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Safe, Inclusive and Accessible Communities, says he will provide firefighters and police with the tools and resources they need. He told Freshet News his focus includes property crime around SkyTrain stations.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Matthew Sebastiani, Coquitlam city council candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform says he will collaborate on long-term solutions for 3030 Gordon Avenue and advocate for stronger provincial action on mental health and addictions. He told the Dispatch and Freshet News that this includes the Riverview lands as a care campus.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam council candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Matthew Sebastiani, Coquitlam city council candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
In his Freshet News profile he said the Mobile Integrated Crisis Response program runs mainly from 10 am to 10 pm, and that he will advocate to expand its capacity and hours so the community receives 24-hour care.
“I will advocate to expand both the capacity and hours of this service, so our community receives 24/7 care, while freeing up frontline police resources.”
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Freshet News · Matthew Sebastiani, Coquitlam city council candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform says he will upgrade key road corridors, improve cycling safety and advocate for enhanced public transit. He told the Dispatch the City should synchronize traffic signals, build more bus pullouts and press TransLink for more frequent buses to SkyTrain.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam council candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform says he will build safer, more accessible sidewalks and parks, improve street lighting, support extended public washroom hours and advocate for permanent washrooms at transit hubs like Coquitlam Central Station.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform says he will partner with the provincial government and Fraser Health to secure a dedicated Urgent and Primary Care Centre in Coquitlam. The Dispatch listed it among his platform points in September 2026.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (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 Enhance Community Life, says he will support new facilities and key upgrades for recreation centres, cultural spaces, sports infrastructure and parks so every neighbourhood benefits from the City's capital plan.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Enhance Community Life, says he will safeguard and improve outdoor spaces including Mundy Park, the Coquitlam Crunch, Como Lake and Town Centre Park.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Enhance Community Life, says he will ensure recreation, sports and arts programs are affordable and accessible for residents of all ages.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Enhance Community Life, says he will expand partnerships with local non-profits, sports organizations and cultural groups.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under Enhance Community Life, says he will deepen community consultation so neighbourhood-driven planning sits at the heart of the City's future.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under A Future-Ready Coquitlam, says he will grow the local economy by supporting economic diversification and business attraction. He told Freshet News he wants better use of commercial and industrial land to attract companies.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Matthew Sebastiani, Coquitlam city council candidate, September 30, 2026 (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 says he will support a Downtown Economic Strategy with more dining, culture and family-friendly spaces, and he told Freshet News that bringing it to life is part of his platform.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Freshet News · Matthew Sebastiani, Coquitlam city council candidate, September 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under A Future-Ready Coquitlam, says he will use modern technology to deliver faster permit issuance, higher service levels and greater transparency at City Hall.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
His platform, under A Future-Ready Coquitlam, says he will protect and invest in the urban forest, green spaces and EV infrastructure. He told the Dispatch the City must regularly review its urban forest plans and tree-replacement standards.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab), Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam council candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab).
His platform says he will ensure municipal infrastructure and amenities keep pace with population growth, particularly on Burke Mountain, and advocate for provincial investment in schools, childcare and healthcare.
No vote or decision on this promise yet.
Where the promise was made: Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform (opens in a new tab).
Matthew Sebastiani was elected to Coquitlam City Council on October 17, 2026. The City of Coquitlam's official count gives him 13,480 votes, fifth of the 20 council candidates, and the Chief Election Officer declared him elected on October 21, 2026. Freshet News reported that he, Harvey Su, Rosalinda Thorleifson and Benjamin Perry were the four newcomers elected, taking the seats of Craig Hodge, Trish Mandewo, Brent Asmundson and Dennis Marsden. The City's results print no elector organization for any candidate, and VoteMate lists him as an independent.
Freshet News reported on June 1, 2026 that he launched his campaign, called Building Coquitlam's Future Together, that he is a senior analyst with the Bank of Canada, chairs the Coquitlam Foundation, sits on the boards of Place des Arts, the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce and the Coquitlam North Road Business Improvement Association, serves on the City's economic development advisory committee, and was president of the local chapter of Crohn's and Colitis Canada for seven years until 2025. The Tri-Cities Dispatch reported in January 2024 that, as president of that chapter, he wrote to Port Moody council asking it to join the GoHere washroom access program. By his own account, on his campaign site, he grew up in Burquitlam, holds an honours degree in economics from Simon Fraser University and an MBA in finance from UBC, was a policy advisor to the Deputy Leader of the Senate of Canada, sits on the City's Universal Access-Ability Advisory Committee, and was named the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce's Young Professional of the Year in 2025. voche.me has not checked these with the Bank, the Senate, the universities or the Chamber.
His platform has five parts. Under affordability he promises property taxes that are low, stable and predictable, a balanced mix of housing including rentals, family-sized units and seniors' housing, and less red tape with competitive business tax rates. Under financial stewardship he promises spending focused on core services, strict oversight of capital projects, and pressure on Metro Vancouver to end cost overruns. Under safe and accessible communities he promises tools for police and firefighters, long-term solutions for 3030 Gordon Avenue, upgrades to road corridors, accessible sidewalks and parks, longer public washroom hours and an urgent and primary care centre. Under community life he promises investment in recreation, parks and trails and affordable programs. Under a future-ready Coquitlam he promises economic diversification, a downtown economic strategy, faster permits through technology, climate resilience and infrastructure that keeps pace with growth on Burke Mountain.
In the Dispatch's questionnaire of October 13, 2026 he said he would look at rent-to-own models, that traffic signals should be synchronized and more bus pullouts built, that council has not pushed Metro Vancouver hard enough on transparency, that his campaign's contributions came from individuals including some who work in development, and that surveillance cameras like Flock or Axon are not a community priority. In his Freshet News profile he said he would advocate to expand the Mobile Integrated Crisis Response program, which pairs a police officer with a mental health nurse, to 24-hour service, and that he supports reopening Riverview. His campaign site carries endorsements from Mayor Richard Stewart and from Councillors Brent Asmundson and Dennis Marsden, who did not run again.
Summarized from the campaign’s published profile. These are stated positions, not an assessment of results or a complete platform.
His platform's first pillar promises to keep property taxes low, stable and predictable, with spending focused on core services, strict oversight of capital projects and accountability from Metro Vancouver. He told Freshet News affordability is his top issue.
Matthew Sebastiani campaign · PlatformHis platform promises support for affordable rentals, family-sized units and seniors' housing. He told the Dispatch he would continue partnerships with developers, non-profits and senior governments and look at rent-to-own models used elsewhere.
Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam council candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026His platform promises to streamline municipal processes, keep business tax rates competitive, use technology for faster permits and support a downtown economic strategy with more dining, culture and family spaces.
He told Freshet News he has heard from entrepreneurs who moved their business to another city because of permits and red tape.
His platform promises tools for police and firefighters and long-term solutions for 3030 Gordon Avenue with provincial action on mental health and addictions. He told Freshet News he would advocate to expand the Mobile Integrated Crisis Response team to 24-hour service.
Freshet News · Matthew Sebastiani, Coquitlam city council candidate, September 30, 2026His platform promises safer and more accessible sidewalks and parks, better street lighting, longer public washroom hours, permanent washrooms at hubs such as Coquitlam Central Station, and an urgent and primary care centre secured with the Province and Fraser Health.
Matthew Sebastiani campaign · PlatformHis platform promises new and upgraded recreation and cultural facilities, protection of Mundy Park, the Coquitlam Crunch, Como Lake and Town Centre Park, affordable programs, and infrastructure that keeps pace with growth on Burke Mountain, with advocacy for schools, child care and health care.
Matthew Sebastiani campaign · PlatformResearched on 2026-10-30 through the seven search steps listed below: the City's declaration, results per tabulator and voting-night release, every page of his campaign site that concerns the campaign (home, About, Platform, Endorsements), his VoteMate page, and reporting by Freshet News and the Tri-Cities Dispatch.
His campaign's account of his work at the Bank of Canada and in the Senate, his degrees, his awards and his board roles is the campaign's own; Freshet News reports the same roles from his campaign release, and the Dispatch's 2024 report shows him as president of the Crohn's and Colitis Canada chapter. None was checked with the bodies themselves. His Facebook and Instagram accounts showed only a login page to scripts. He held no public office before the vote, so no minutes search applies. A Tri-City News report from an earlier year on a party nomination with his name could not be read (the archive answers 403) and is not used.
Freshet News reported from his campaign release that he is a senior analyst with the Bank of Canada, and the Dispatch reported the same. voche.me has not checked this with the Bank.
Freshet News · Sebastiani throws hat in Coquitlam ring, by Janis Cleugh, June 1, 2026Freshet News reported these roles from his campaign release in June 2026; his Freshet News profile in September lists him as president of Place des Arts. voche.me has not checked them with the organizations.
Freshet News · Sebastiani throws hat in Coquitlam ring, by Janis Cleugh, June 1, 2026The Dispatch reported in January 2024 that, as president of the chapter, he wrote to Port Moody council about the GoHere washroom access program. Freshet News reported that he held the office for seven years until 2025.
Tri-Cities Dispatch · Port Moody joins washroom access program for people with IBD, by Patrick Penner, January 15, 2024Proposed 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 Matthew Sebastiani directly. We send it to the campaign, and publish the reply here if we get one.
Facts voche.me can state about Matthew Sebastiani's page itself, answered directly rather than left blank.
Matthew Sebastiani was elected Councillor with 13,480 votes, 5th of 20 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 Matthew Sebastiani's own campaign.
Not according to this profile. voche.me has not listed a current public office for Matthew Sebastiani.
This profile lists 15 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 Matthew Sebastiani 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 Councillor 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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