Minister of Transportation and Transit and Government House Leader, running again for the BC NDP in Port Coquitlam.
Mike Farnworth was first elected MLA for Port Coquitlam in 1991 and has been Minister of Transportation and Transit since November 2024. In 2026 he answered for highway, SkyTrain, ferry and transit projects in the legislature and ran the government’s business in the House.
A researched record of Mike Farnworth’s 25 commitments, 13 dated actions and 9 public statements from 2026, with 2 news items. Most come from the legislature record and government releases.
On dates without a confirmed appearance the public schedule is unknown; the candidate may still have activities that day. This static page changes only when its research is updated.
01 / Introduction
About Mike Farnworth
Mike Farnworth is the BC NDP candidate in Port Coquitlam on Elections BC’s list for the general election of October 24, 2026. He won the district in 2024 with 13,843 votes, 53.87% of the valid vote, according to the Elections BC statement of votes.
The legislature record lists his election years as 1991, 1996, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2020 and 2024, and shows him as Minister of Transportation and Transit from November 18, 2024. The government’s biography page says he is also Government House Leader, that he was a minister from 1997 to 2001, including Minister of Health, and that his last post before this one was Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. The Tyee reported in November 2024 that he moved from Public Safety to Transportation and Transit and returned as House Leader.
In the legislature in 2026 he answered questions on the Taylor Bridge, BC Ferries, Sea to Sky transit, Broadway Subway construction and homeless camps in Abbotsford. As House Leader he moved the motions that set the House’s rules and committees, including a new rule that lets a First Nation address the House when its treaty bill is introduced.
The government’s biography page says he was raised in Port Coquitlam and served three terms on Port Coquitlam city council. His campaign page says he has lived in Port Coquitlam for more than 50 years. Those are the government’s and the campaign’s own statements.
Published positions and selected commitments, separated by election cycle. Status labels describe the evidence reviewed, not a numerical score or a complete audit of the platform. Council approval is different from delivery.
25 commitments shown · Checked Sep 30
2026 · TransportationIn progress
Widen Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley
A government release on September 17, 2026 quotes Farnworth as construction began on a new Peardonville Road crossing of Highway 1 in Abbotsford. In the estimates debate on May 7, 2026 he said the section from 216 Street to 264 Street would be complete in 2029.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
The release gives a contract of $119.4 million, 1.6 kilometres of widening at this crossing, and completion in 2031. It does not give the cost of the whole widening program.
What still needs checking
Does the Peardonville Road crossing open in 2031, and the 216 to 264 Street section in 2029?
SkyTrain from Surrey to Langley, named the Dave Barrett Extension
Government releases on September 15 and 21, 2026 quote Farnworth on the SkyTrain line from King George Station in Surrey to Langley City Centre, which the Province named the Dave Barrett Extension.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
The releases give 16 kilometres, eight new stations and an opening in 2029. The guideway was 65% complete on September 21, 2026, according to the release. Neither release gives the total cost.
A government release on September 21, 2026 quotes Farnworth as trackwork on the Broadway Subway was completed. In question period on May 25, 2026 he said a traffic detour on Broadway cut the construction period in that area from 14 months to six months.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
The release gives a 5.7-kilometre line, a cost of nearly $3 billion, and passenger service in fall 2027.
What still needs checking
Does passenger service start in fall 2027, and does Broadway reopen to vehicles in January 2027 as the release says?
In the estimates debate on May 19, 2026, Farnworth said the government gave TransLink short-term financing and is looking for a longer-term solution by 2027. He said the Ministry of Finance is doing that work.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He named no tool and no amount. He said the government does not favour road pricing.
What still needs checking
Does the Province announce a long-term TransLink funding plan in 2027?
In the estimates debate on May 19, 2026, Farnworth said the Province matched the federal $14 million for planning the SkyTrain extension to UBC and added $5 million in this year’s budget.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He said TransLink sees the line in the second half of its ten-year plan. He gave no construction cost or date.
What still needs checking
Does the UBC extension enter TransLink’s investment plan?
Regional study of rail on southern Vancouver Island
In the estimates debate on May 6, 2026, Farnworth said the Province gave $18 million to the regional districts and 14 First Nations to decide by March 2027 how rail could fit the transportation needs of southern Vancouver Island.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
The money pays for a plan. He gave no cost or date for any rail service.
What still needs checking
What do the regional districts and First Nations report by March 2027?
In question period on April 2 and May 21, 2026, Farnworth said the Taylor Bridge must be replaced, that more than $40 million had been spent on studies, and that the ministry wants the project in the Province’s capital plan.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He gave no cost or date for the new bridge. Energeticcity.ca reported in August 2026 that he visited the bridge.
What still needs checking
Does the Taylor Bridge replacement appear in the provincial capital plan, with a cost and a date?
A government release on January 12, 2026 quotes Farnworth as BC Transit added service hours, new routes and handyDART buses in Greater Victoria from January 5, 2026.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
The release gives seven new handyDART buses. It gives no cost for the expansion.
What still needs checking
Does BC Transit report the new service hours in its next annual figures?
On May 6, 2026, Farnworth moved to send a private member’s bill on dashboard cameras in commercial vehicles back to committee, to limit it to the heaviest trucks. He said he supports the bill and asked that it pass before the House rose on May 28.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He gave the weight limit of 11,793 kilograms. voche.me did not check whether the bill received royal assent.
What still needs checking
Did the Dashboard Cameras in Commercial Vehicles Act receive royal assent?
In question period on April 1, 2026, Farnworth said he had told his staff to find short-term ways to increase security at a camp at Whatcom in Abbotsford. On April 27 he said the Cole Road camp was being shut down and the Peardonville camp would be closed by the beginning of summer.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He gave no cost and no count of people moved to shelter.
In question period on April 1, 2026, Farnworth said the government made the largest investment in policing in the province’s history, with 250 RCMP officers, a witness protection program and a forensic firearms lab. He repeated the claim on April 27.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
These are his own descriptions of past spending. He gave no new measure.
What still needs checking
Does he state a new public safety measure during the campaign?
In the estimates debate on May 7, 2026, Farnworth said the Province put $500 million toward keeping BC Ferries fares low, and named the free midweek travel for seniors restored in 2019.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He gave no new measure and no fare limit for future years.
What still needs checking
What fare limits does the ferry commissioner set for the period that starts in 2028?
In question period on May 4 and 5, 2026, Farnworth said the Province will not add an 18-cents-a-litre gas tax that Sea to Sky communities asked for to pay for regional transit. He said the Province offered the Victoria and Nanaimo models and would look at other options.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He named no other funding source and no date for the transit service.
What still needs checking
Do the Province and the Sea to Sky communities agree on a funding model?
The BC NDP announcement of his candidacy, printed by The Link on September 28, 2026, quotes Farnworth on standing up for workers and building an economy less dependent on the United States.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
Party announcement. It names no measure, number or date.
What still needs checking
Does he name a measure on trade or jobs during the campaign?
Keep the Squamish to 100 Mile House rail corridor in public hands
In a statement on July 13, 2026, Farnworth said the Province intends to keep the rail corridor between Squamish and 100 Mile House in public ownership while CN goes through the federal process to stop running the line.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
The statement says the land belongs to the BC Railway Company, a Crown corporation. It gives no plan for future service.
What still needs checking
What happens to the corridor when the federal process ends?
In question period on April 13 and April 23, 2026, Farnworth said the Province is investing $195 million in roads in northwestern B.C., along Highway 37, to support mining.
First Nations speak in the House when a treaty bill is introduced
On February 19, 2026, Farnworth moved a change to the House rules that lets a representative of a First Nation address the House when a bill for its treaty is introduced. The transcript records the motion as approved. On April 13 he tabled the K’ómoks and Kitselas treaties.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
The rule gives no number and no cost.
What still needs checking
How many First Nations address the House under the new rule?
On February 19, 2026, Farnworth moved to appoint a special committee to review how the 2024 provincial election was run and recommend changes. The transcript records the motion as approved.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
The motion set a report date of May 14, 2026. voche.me did not read the committee’s report.
What still needs checking
Which of the committee’s recommendations does the government adopt?
In the estimates debate on May 7, 2026, Farnworth said 1,500 trees had been cut for the Massey tunnel project, that 500 more will be cut, and that the area around Deas Island Park will be fully restored when the tunnel is complete.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
He gave no cost, number of trees to plant or date.
What still needs checking
Does the ministry publish a restoration plan for Deas Island Park?
His campaign page lists the BC NDP’s six headings on costs, homes, health care, the economy, safety and climate. The page does not state measures of his own.
Evidence & next checks
Evidence reviewed
Party text.
What still needs checking
Does he state his own measures during the campaign?
Recorded votes, House motions he moved, and government projects where an official source names him. A government project is the government’s; it is listed here only where the release quotes him.
Under construction; completion expected in 2031
Construction starts on the Peardonville Road crossing of Highway 1
The ministry awarded a $119.4 million contract for a new crossing and 1.6 kilometres of widening in Abbotsford. The release quotes Farnworth.
Scope, limits and sources
The release is the government’s own account, and its dates are forecasts.
Voted yes on third reading of the K’ómoks Treaty Act (Bill 20)
The recorded vote index lists Farnworth voting yes at second reading on May 20 and at third reading on May 28, 2026, and no on an amendment to second reading.
Moved a deadline on the second reading debate of the freedom of information bill (Bill 9)
As Government House Leader, Farnworth moved that the vote on second reading of Bill 9 be held by 3 a.m. on May 7, 2026, because the parties did not agree on how to proceed.
Scope, limits and sources
The vote index lists him voting yes on the government business schedule motion and yes at second and third reading of Bill 9.
Voted yes on third reading of the freedom of information bill (Bill 9)
The recorded vote index lists Farnworth voting yes at second and third reading of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act, 2026, and yes on two amendments moved by Gibson.
Scope, limits and sources
The index does not describe what each amendment changed.
Read original statements and reporting, or open the publisher’s video. A summary of a speech is labelled separately from a full recording.
Speech
Motions on House rules and committees
As Government House Leader, Farnworth moved changes to the rules for private members’ business and treaty bills, and the motions that set up the House committees for the session.
Farnworth answered questions on ferry cancellations and the pay of the BC Ferries chief executive, and asked for federal ferry funding equal to the east coast.
Ministry of Transportation and Transit budget debate
Farnworth answered questions on his ministry’s spending over four sittings, on TransLink, BC Ferries, Highway 1, the Massey tunnel, rail and road safety.
Records are labelled by type, including official findings, civil proceedings and political disputes where applicable. Each entry identifies the response found in the sources and the latest status verified for this page.
No reviewed entries have been added to this section yet. This is a research gap, not a finding about the candidate.
News coverage / Original publishers
Read the reporting
A dated reading list from independent publishers. The headings below are voche.me summaries; follow each link for the original article, context and any corrections.
Reporting
Energeticcity.ca
Fort St. John council meets the transport minister
Reports that Farnworth visited the Taylor Bridge and met Fort St. John council, and gives the ministry’s written statement.
Sources checked September 30, 2026. Official records establish decisions; campaign material establishes stated positions; reporting adds investigation and context. None alone establishes every claim.
The campaign page lists no events and no measures of his own, and its Latest and Events links open party pages. His posts on X, Facebook and Instagram could not be read, because each shows a sign-in page. The Transportation and Transit estimates debates (May 6, 7 and 19, 2026) were read for his answers with numbers and dates, and were not read line by line. Votes are taken from the vote index only; the transcripts of those votes were not opened. voche.me did not check whether the Dashboard Cameras in Commercial Vehicles Act received royal assent, whether the Abbotsford camps closed, or what the Democratic and Electoral Reform committee reported. His roles before 2024, including Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and the ministries he held from 1997 to 2001, come from the government’s biography page only, with no dates for each role. His Port Coquitlam council terms (1983, 1985 and 1990) come from the same page and were not checked against city records. A Tri-Cities Dispatch report on Port Coquitlam candidates is from the 2024 election and was not used. A city council candidate’s site says Farnworth endorsed him in the 2026 municipal election; voche.me did not confirm it with Farnworth. No 2026 all-candidates meeting for Port Coquitlam was found. Campaign finances and endorsements were not reviewed. The questionnaire has not been sent.
Research status
What voche.me has checked
Evidence reviewed on 2026-09-30: the Elections BC candidate list and 2024 statement of votes, the legislature’s 2026 speech and vote indexes, 18 transcripts from 2026 where he spoke, the government’s biography page, seven government releases that quote him, his campaign page, the BC NDP platform page and releases, and news reports from 2024 and 2026.
His commitments on this page come from what he said in the legislature and in government releases in 2026, and from the party’s announcement of his candidacy. His campaign page states no measures of its own. Sections with no entry record that voche.me found nothing on this date.
Proposed 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.
Have your own question?
Ask Mike Farnworth directly. We send it to the campaign, and publish the reply here if we get one.
05 / About this page
Questions about this page
Facts voche.me can state about Mike Farnworth's page itself, answered directly rather than left blank.
Is this an official page for Mike Farnworth?
No. This page is researched by voche.me from public sources, listed below, and is separate from Mike Farnworth's own campaign.
What party is Mike Farnworth running with?
Mike Farnworth is running for MLA with BC NDP.
Does Mike Farnworth currently hold public office?
Yes. Mike Farnworth currently serves as Minister of Transportation and Transit; MLA for Port Coquitlam.
How many sources does this Mike Farnworth profile cite?
This profile lists 5 sourced references, each with the date voche.me checked it, in the Sources section below.
Why do some questions on Mike Farnworth's page show no answer?
The "Questions & answers" section on this page lists questions voche.me would put to Mike Farnworth 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.
When is the election Mike Farnworth is running in?
The 2026 British Columbia election, including the MLA race, is decided on October 24, 2026.
06 / Candidate contributions
Space for campaign updates
No campaign updates yet
Announcements, event details and messages can be added here, with their source and publication date. No campaign submission has been added.
