[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":501},["ShallowReactive",2],{"news-list":3,"candidate-matthew-sebastiani":21,"parties-all":198,"candidate-neighbours-matthew-sebastiani":199,"tracker-matthew-sebastiani":305,"votes-matthew-sebastiani":500},[4],{"path":5,"title":6,"description":7,"date":8,"publishedAt":9,"author":10,"category":11,"tags":12,"image":16,"imageAlt":17,"imageCredit":18,"updated":19,"linkedinPostUrl":19,"pinned":20},"\u002Fnews\u002Frichard-stewart-farewell-coquitlam-council-2026-10-29","Outgoing Mayor Richard Stewart hands the gavel to Craig Hodge at Coquitlam's final council meeting","Stewart wrapped up 18 years in office at the last meeting of the term, warning his successors against zero-percent tax freezes and calling mental health a priority for the new council.","2026-10-29","2026-10-31T09:29:00-07:00","voche.me editors","Election news",[13,14,15],"Mayor","Coquitlam City Council","transition","https:\u002F\u002Fd30791g68t1h2.cloudfront.net\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F10\u002F29195514\u002F0utgoing.jpg","Outgoing Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart at his final council meeting","Tri-Cities Dispatch",null,false,{"id":22,"acclamation":19,"ballotNumber":19,"biography":23,"campaignVideo":19,"colour":28,"contentOrigin":29,"currentRole":19,"district":19,"dossier":19,"experience":30,"extension":50,"headline":51,"languages":52,"links":53,"meta":62,"name":63,"neighbourhood":19,"nomination":19,"number":64,"office":65,"palette":19,"party":19,"photos":19,"polled":19,"portrait":66,"priorities":74,"questionnaire":111,"questions":114,"sample":20,"scoreChanges":19,"searched":115,"sections":150,"slug":159,"sources":160,"stem":194,"summary":195,"unaffiliated":20,"updatedAt":119,"updates":196,"withdrawal":19,"__hash__":197},"candidates\u002Felections\u002Fbc-coquitlam-2026\u002Fcandidates\u002Fmatthew-sebastiani.json",[24,25,26,27],"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.","fern","editorial",[31,38,43],{"period":32,"title":33,"description":34,"source":35},"Now (his own account, reported by Freshet News)","Senior analyst, Bank of Canada","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.",{"label":36,"url":37},"Freshet News · Sebastiani throws hat in Coquitlam ring, by Janis Cleugh, June 1, 2026","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.freshetnews.ca\u002Fsebastiani-throws-hat-in-coquitlam-ring\u002F",{"period":39,"title":40,"description":41,"source":42},"Now","Chair, Coquitlam Foundation; director, Place des Arts and the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce","Freshet 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.",{"label":36,"url":37},{"period":44,"title":45,"description":46,"source":47},"To 2025","President, Vancouver chapter, Crohn's and Colitis Canada","The 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.",{"label":48,"url":49},"Tri-Cities Dispatch · Port Moody joins washroom access program for people with IBD, by Patrick Penner, January 15, 2024","https:\u002F\u002Ftricitiesdispatch.com\u002Fibd-accessible-bathrooms\u002F","json","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.",[],[54,58],{"label":55,"url":56,"kind":57},"Matthew Sebastiani campaign site","https:\u002F\u002Fmatthewsebastiani.ca\u002F","website",{"label":59,"url":60,"kind":61},"Matthew Sebastiani campaign platform","https:\u002F\u002Fmatthewsebastiani.ca\u002Fplatform","document",{},"Matthew Sebastiani","","Councillor",{"src":67,"smallSrc":68,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":71,"credit":72,"sourceUrl":56,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fmatthew-sebastiani-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fmatthew-sebastiani-320.webp",640,800,"Matthew Sebastiani, from Matthew Sebastiani for Coquitlam City Council.","Matthew Sebastiani for Coquitlam City Council","50% 30%",[75,81,88,94,101,106],{"title":76,"summary":77,"details":78,"source":79},"Low, stable and predictable property taxes","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.",[],{"label":80,"url":60},"Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Platform",{"title":82,"summary":83,"details":84,"source":85},"A balanced mix of housing, including rent-to-own","His 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.",[],{"label":86,"url":87},"Tri-Cities Dispatch · Coquitlam council candidates answer your questions, October 13, 2026","https:\u002F\u002Ftricitiesdispatch.com\u002Fcoquitlam-council-candidates-answer-your-questions\u002F",{"title":89,"summary":90,"details":91,"source":93},"Less red tape and faster permits for business","His 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.",[92],"He told Freshet News he has heard from entrepreneurs who moved their business to another city because of permits and red tape.",{"label":80,"url":60},{"title":95,"summary":96,"details":97,"source":98},"Safety, 3030 Gordon and a 24-hour crisis response team","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.",[],{"label":99,"url":100},"Freshet News · Matthew Sebastiani, Coquitlam city council candidate, September 30, 2026","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.freshetnews.ca\u002Fmatthew-sebastiani\u002F",{"title":102,"summary":103,"details":104,"source":105},"Accessibility, washrooms and an urgent care centre","His 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.",[],{"label":80,"url":60},{"title":107,"summary":108,"details":109,"source":110},"Parks, recreation and growth that keeps pace","His 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.",[],{"label":80,"url":60},{"status":112,"answers":113},"not-contacted",[],[],[116,122,127,132,136,140,145],{"step":117,"label":118,"date":119,"result":120,"note":121,"url":60},1,"His own campaign website","2026-10-30","found","Read every page in the menu of matthewsebastiani.ca: home, About, Platform (five pillars) and Endorsements. Contact and Vote Information and Donate hold forms. He ran with no elector organization, so there is no party platform.",{"step":123,"label":124,"date":119,"result":125,"note":126},2,"His public social media accounts","unreachable","His VoteMate page lists a Facebook page and an Instagram account. Both showed a login page to scripts, so no post was read.",{"step":128,"label":129,"date":119,"result":120,"note":130,"url":131},3,"The City's candidate list and official results","The City's declaration of October 21, 2026 and its results per tabulator give him 13,480 votes and print no elector organization. The City took its candidate pages down after the vote.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.coquitlam.ca\u002FDocumentCenter\u002FView\u002F20767\u002FDeclaration-of-Official-Election-Results",{"step":133,"label":134,"date":119,"result":120,"note":135,"url":87},4,"Candidate questionnaires and all-candidates meetings","Read his answers to the Tri-Cities Dispatch's questions (October 13, 2026) and Freshet News's candidate profile (September 30, 2026). His VoteMate page holds his five pillars. No report of a 2026 all-candidates meeting quoting him was found.",{"step":137,"label":138,"date":119,"result":120,"note":139,"url":37},5,"A name search with Coquitlam and 2026, then with the office and a topic","Found Freshet News's report of June 1, 2026 on his launch, the Dispatch's report of September 13, 2026 on the candidates, and the Dispatch's report of January 2024 on his letter as chapter president. Wikipedia and the Tri-City News archive (403) were not used.",{"step":141,"label":142,"date":119,"result":120,"note":143,"url":144},6,"News reports of the result and his first statements","Read Freshet News's and the Dispatch's reports of election night; both name him among the newcomers elected and neither quotes him.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.freshetnews.ca\u002Fhodge-clinches-mayors-seat-incumbents-re-elected\u002F",{"step":146,"label":147,"date":119,"result":148,"note":149},7,"The public record of any public role","nothing-found","No public office is on record before the vote, so no minutes search applies. The City's advisory committees he says he sat on as a citizen representative were not searched.",[151],{"id":152,"kicker":153,"title":154,"paragraphs":155,"links":158},"research-status","Research status","What voche.me has checked",[156,157],"Researched 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.",[],"matthew-sebastiani",[161,163,166,170,172,175,176,179,182,183,184,186,189,190,193],{"label":162,"url":131,"checkedAt":119},"City of Coquitlam · Declaration of Official Election Results, October 21, 2026",{"label":164,"url":165,"checkedAt":119},"City of Coquitlam · Results per Tabulator, 2026 General Local Election, October 21, 2026","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.coquitlam.ca\u002FDocumentCenter\u002FView\u002F20771",{"label":167,"url":168,"checkedAt":119,"listOnly":169},"City of Coquitlam · Unofficial Election Results: Coquitlam Mayor, City Councillors and School Trustees, October 17, 2026","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.coquitlam.ca\u002FCivicAlerts.aspx?aid=2066",true,{"label":171,"url":56,"checkedAt":119},"Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Matthew Sebastiani for Coquitlam City Council (home)",{"label":173,"url":174,"checkedAt":119},"Matthew Sebastiani campaign · About Matthew","https:\u002F\u002Fmatthewsebastiani.ca\u002Fabout",{"label":80,"url":60,"checkedAt":119},{"label":177,"url":178,"checkedAt":119},"Matthew Sebastiani campaign · Endorsements","https:\u002F\u002Fmatthewsebastiani.ca\u002Fendorsements",{"label":180,"url":181,"checkedAt":119},"VoteMate · Matthew Sebastiani, independent for Coquitlam Council, 2026 BC Local Elections","https:\u002F\u002Fvotemate.org\u002Fbc2026\u002Fcandidates\u002F13423?riding=799",{"label":36,"url":37,"checkedAt":119},{"label":99,"url":100,"checkedAt":119},{"label":185,"url":144,"checkedAt":119},"Freshet News · Hodge clinches mayor's chair, incumbents re-elected, by Janis Cleugh, October 18, 2026",{"label":187,"url":188,"checkedAt":119},"Tri-Cities Dispatch · Three candidates vying to be Coquitlam's next mayor, by Jeremy Shepherd, September 13, 2026","https:\u002F\u002Ftricitiesdispatch.com\u002Fthree-candidates-vying-to-be-coquitlams-next-mayor\u002F",{"label":86,"url":87,"checkedAt":119},{"label":191,"url":192,"checkedAt":119},"Tri-Cities Dispatch · Hodge, Lurbiecki and West win, by Jeremy Shepherd, October 18, 2026","https:\u002F\u002Ftricitiesdispatch.com\u002Fhodge-lurbiecki-west-win\u002F",{"label":48,"url":49,"checkedAt":119},"elections\u002Fbc-coquitlam-2026\u002Fcandidates\u002Fmatthew-sebastiani","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.",[],"iF_oJQMB-q6dHrG2flvyyZHrpAPYBA_omiE05LZYY_c",[],[200,210,221,224,233,241,250,260,269,278,286,296],{"slug":201,"name":202,"office":65,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":203,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":204},"benjamin-perry","Benjamin Perry","rose",{"src":205,"smallSrc":206,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":207,"credit":208,"sourceUrl":209,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fbenjamin-perry-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fbenjamin-perry-320.webp","Benjamin Perry, from Benjamin Perry for Coquitlam 2026.","Benjamin Perry for Coquitlam 2026","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.benjaminperry.ca\u002Fabout-benjamin-perry\u002F",{"slug":211,"name":212,"office":213,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":214,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":215},"candace-knoll","Candace Knoll","School Trustee","blue",{"src":216,"smallSrc":217,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":218,"credit":219,"sourceUrl":220,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fcandace-knoll-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fcandace-knoll-320.webp","Candace Knoll, from Freshet News.","Freshet News","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.freshetnews.ca\u002Fcandace-knoll\u002F",{"slug":222,"name":223,"office":213,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":203,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":19},"chuck-denison","Chuck Denison",{"slug":225,"name":226,"office":13,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":214,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":227},"craig-hodge","Craig Hodge",{"src":228,"smallSrc":229,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":230,"credit":231,"sourceUrl":232,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fcraig-hodge-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fcraig-hodge-320.webp","Craig Hodge, from Elect Craig Hodge for Mayor of Coquitlam.","Elect Craig Hodge for Mayor of Coquitlam","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.craighodge.ca\u002Fachievements",{"slug":234,"name":235,"office":213,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":203,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":236},"craig-woods","Craig Woods",{"src":237,"smallSrc":238,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":239,"credit":219,"sourceUrl":240,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fcraig-woods-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fcraig-woods-320.webp","Craig Woods, from Freshet News.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.freshetnews.ca\u002Fcraig-woods\u002F",{"slug":242,"name":243,"office":65,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":214,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":244},"harvey-su","Harvey Su",{"src":245,"smallSrc":246,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":247,"credit":248,"sourceUrl":249,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fharvey-su-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fharvey-su-320.webp","Harvey Su, from Elect Harvey Su for Coquitlam City Council.","Elect Harvey Su for Coquitlam City Council","https:\u002F\u002Fharveysu.com\u002F",{"slug":251,"name":252,"office":65,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":253,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":254},"matt-djonlic","Matt Djonlic","teal",{"src":255,"smallSrc":256,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":257,"credit":258,"sourceUrl":259,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fmatt-djonlic-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fmatt-djonlic-320.webp","Matt Djonlic, from Re-Elect Matt Djonlic for Coquitlam City Council.","Re-Elect Matt Djonlic for Coquitlam City Council","https:\u002F\u002Fmattdjonlic.ca\u002F",{"slug":261,"name":262,"office":65,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":253,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":263},"robert-mazzarolo","Robert Mazzarolo",{"src":264,"smallSrc":265,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":266,"credit":267,"sourceUrl":268,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Frobert-mazzarolo-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Frobert-mazzarolo-320.webp","Robert Mazzarolo, from Mazzarolo for City Council.","Mazzarolo for City Council","https:\u002F\u002Frobertmazzarolo.com\u002F",{"slug":270,"name":271,"office":65,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":203,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":272},"rosalinda-thorleifson","Rosalinda Thorleifson",{"src":273,"smallSrc":274,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":275,"credit":276,"sourceUrl":277,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Frosalinda-thorleifson-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Frosalinda-thorleifson-320.webp","Rosalinda Thorleifson, from Rosalinda for Coquitlam City Council.","Rosalinda for Coquitlam City Council","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rosalindaforcouncil.ca\u002F",{"slug":279,"name":280,"office":213,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":203,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":281},"rosey-manhas","Rosey Manhas",{"src":282,"smallSrc":283,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":284,"credit":219,"sourceUrl":285,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Frosey-manhas-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Frosey-manhas-320.webp","Rosey Manhas, from Freshet News.","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.freshetnews.ca\u002Frosey-manhas\u002F",{"slug":287,"name":288,"office":65,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":289,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":290},"steve-kim","Steve Kim","plum",{"src":291,"smallSrc":292,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":293,"credit":294,"sourceUrl":295,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fsteve-kim-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fsteve-kim-320.webp","Steve Kim, from Re-Elect Steve Kim for Coquitlam Council.","Re-Elect Steve Kim for Coquitlam Council","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stevekim4council.ca\u002F",{"slug":297,"name":298,"office":65,"number":64,"ballotNumber":19,"colour":28,"palette":19,"sample":20,"portrait":299},"teri-towner","Teri Towner",{"src":300,"smallSrc":301,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":302,"credit":303,"sourceUrl":304,"position":73},"\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fteri-towner-640.webp","\u002Fimages\u002Fcandidates\u002Fteri-towner-320.webp","Teri Towner, from Teri Towner, Coquitlam City Council 2026.","Teri Towner, Coquitlam City Council 2026","https:\u002F\u002Fteritowner.ca\u002F",{"id":306,"checkedAt":119,"extension":50,"meta":307,"promises":308,"race":497,"slug":159,"stem":498,"__hash__":499},"trackers\u002Felections\u002Fbc-coquitlam-2026\u002Ftracker\u002Fmatthew-sebastiani.json",{},[309,323,333,343,351,359,367,376,386,394,403,411,419,427,435,442,450,457,466,474,481,490],{"id":310,"title":311,"pledge":312,"topic":313,"scope":314,"quote":315,"sources":316,"status":321,"evidence":322},"low-stable-predictable-taxes","Keep property taxes low, stable and predictable","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.","Taxes and spending","own","Keep property taxes low, stable, and predictable to protect your hard-earned dollars and prevent unexpected increases.",[317,318,320],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":319,"url":181},"VoteMate · Matthew Sebastiani, independent for Coquitlam Council (his five pillars)",{"label":86,"url":87},"not-started",[],{"id":324,"title":325,"pledge":326,"topic":327,"scope":314,"sources":328,"status":321,"evidence":332},"balanced-housing-mix-rent-to-own","Support a balanced mix of housing, and look at rent-to-own models","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.","Housing",[329,330,331],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":86,"url":87},{"label":187,"url":188},[],{"id":334,"title":335,"pledge":336,"topic":337,"scope":314,"sources":338,"status":321,"evidence":342},"cut-red-tape-competitive-business-taxes","Cut red tape, speed up permits and keep business tax rates competitive","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.","Business",[339,340,341],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":99,"url":100},{"label":86,"url":87},[],{"id":344,"title":345,"pledge":346,"topic":313,"scope":314,"sources":347,"status":321,"evidence":350},"prioritize-core-services-data","Focus spending on core services, based on clear data","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.",[348,349],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":319,"url":181},[],{"id":352,"title":353,"pledge":354,"topic":313,"scope":314,"sources":355,"status":321,"evidence":358},"capital-project-oversight","Keep major capital projects on time and on budget","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.",[356,357],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":86,"url":87},[],{"id":360,"title":361,"pledge":362,"topic":313,"scope":314,"sources":363,"status":321,"evidence":366},"metro-vancouver-accountability","Demand fiscal accountability from Metro Vancouver","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.",[364,365],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":86,"url":87},[],{"id":368,"title":369,"pledge":370,"topic":371,"scope":314,"sources":372,"status":321,"evidence":375},"equip-police-firefighters","Give police and firefighters the tools and resources they need","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.","Public safety",[373,374],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":99,"url":100},[],{"id":377,"title":378,"pledge":379,"topic":380,"scope":314,"sources":381,"status":321,"evidence":385},"gordon-avenue-mental-health-riverview","Work on long-term solutions for 3030 Gordon and press the Province on mental health and addictions","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.","Health",[382,383,384],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":86,"url":87},{"label":99,"url":100},[],{"id":387,"title":388,"pledge":389,"topic":371,"scope":314,"quote":390,"sources":391,"status":321,"evidence":393},"expand-micr-24-hours","Expand the police and mental health nurse team to 24-hour service","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\u002F7 care, while freeing up frontline police resources.",[392],{"label":99,"url":100},[],{"id":395,"title":396,"pledge":397,"topic":398,"scope":314,"sources":399,"status":321,"evidence":402},"road-corridors-cycling-transit","Upgrade key road corridors, improve cycling safety and advocate for more transit","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.","Transportation",[400,401],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":86,"url":87},[],{"id":404,"title":405,"pledge":406,"topic":407,"scope":314,"sources":408,"status":321,"evidence":410},"accessible-sidewalks-washrooms","Build accessible sidewalks and parks, better lighting and longer public washroom hours","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.","City services",[409],{"label":80,"url":60},[],{"id":412,"title":413,"pledge":414,"topic":380,"scope":314,"sources":415,"status":321,"evidence":418},"urgent-primary-care-centre","Secure an urgent and primary care centre in Coquitlam","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.",[416,417],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":187,"url":188},[],{"id":420,"title":421,"pledge":422,"topic":423,"scope":314,"sources":424,"status":321,"evidence":426},"invest-recreation-parks-facilities","Invest in new and upgraded recreation centres, cultural spaces and parks","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.","Community facilities",[425],{"label":80,"url":60},[],{"id":428,"title":429,"pledge":430,"topic":431,"scope":314,"sources":432,"status":321,"evidence":434},"protect-trails-green-spaces","Protect and improve Mundy Park, the Coquitlam Crunch, Como Lake and Town Centre Park","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.","Parks and recreation",[433],{"label":80,"url":60},[],{"id":436,"title":437,"pledge":438,"topic":431,"scope":314,"sources":439,"status":321,"evidence":441},"affordable-community-programs","Keep recreation, sports and arts programs affordable and accessible","His platform, under Enhance Community Life, says he will ensure recreation, sports and arts programs are affordable and accessible for residents of all ages.",[440],{"label":80,"url":60},[],{"id":443,"title":444,"pledge":445,"topic":446,"scope":314,"sources":447,"status":321,"evidence":449},"partnerships-sports-arts-festivals","Expand partnerships with sports, arts and cultural groups","His platform, under Enhance Community Life, says he will expand partnerships with local non-profits, sports organizations and cultural groups.","Arts and culture",[448],{"label":80,"url":60},[],{"id":451,"title":452,"pledge":453,"topic":407,"scope":314,"sources":454,"status":321,"evidence":456},"deepen-community-consultation","Deepen community consultation for neighbourhood-driven planning","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.",[455],{"label":80,"url":60},[],{"id":458,"title":459,"pledge":460,"topic":337,"scope":314,"sources":461,"status":321,"evidence":465},"attract-high-paying-jobs","Attract high-paying jobs through economic diversification","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.",[462,463,464],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":99,"url":100},{"label":187,"url":188},[],{"id":467,"title":468,"pledge":469,"topic":337,"scope":314,"sources":470,"status":321,"evidence":473},"downtown-economic-strategy","Support a downtown economic strategy for City Centre","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.",[471,472],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":99,"url":100},[],{"id":475,"title":476,"pledge":477,"topic":407,"scope":314,"sources":478,"status":321,"evidence":480},"modernize-city-services-transparency","Use technology for faster permits, better service and more transparency","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.",[479],{"label":80,"url":60},[],{"id":482,"title":483,"pledge":484,"topic":485,"scope":314,"sources":486,"status":321,"evidence":489},"climate-resilience-urban-forest-ev","Invest in the urban forest, green spaces and electric vehicle charging","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.","Environment",[487,488],{"label":80,"url":60},{"label":86,"url":87},[],{"id":491,"title":492,"pledge":493,"topic":423,"scope":314,"sources":494,"status":321,"evidence":496},"growth-infrastructure-burke-mountain","Make infrastructure keep pace with growth, and press the Province for schools, child care and health care","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.",[495],{"label":80,"url":60},[],"councillor","elections\u002Fbc-coquitlam-2026\u002Ftracker\u002Fmatthew-sebastiani","3vP346Qam4dy4KV3riT8n_wxuoWbOlBfv-0tP0VPNEk",[],1793466031115]