B.C. civic election profile: City of New Westminster

Campaigning to be the next Mayor of New Westminster is officially underway, with three candidates battling for the city’s top job.

New West is losing its long-time mayor, Jonathan X. Cote, who has lead the city since 2014.

Cote has been a political veteran in the city, having served three terms on the New West city council and leading Translink’s Mayors’ Council.

Cote announced early this year he would not be running for mayor again, saying “it’s time to take on my next adventure.”

Now the city must choose a new leader. Here are the options:

 

Ken Armstrong (New Westminster Progressives)

Armstrong is a lawyer and Queen’s Counsel.

A member of the Port Royal neighbourhood, Armstrong coaches soccer and is a Little League umpire.

His platform includes taking care of the city’s most vulnerable, and to manage growth.

Armstrong says the city is growing quickly, but critical infrastructure isn’t keeping up– something he vows to change.

He is the only candidate running for Mayor that isn’t a current New West city councillor.

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Patrick Johnstone (Community First New West)

Johnstone is serving his second term as a New West city councillor.

He’s a professional geoscientist and community volunteer.

Johnstone wants to build more diverse housing options, continue to hit climate goals and make sure the city’s capital plan gets seen through.

He has served in various roles, including Vice President with the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, and has served as Chair of the Community Energy Association.

Johnstone lives in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood with his long-time partner Antigone.

 

Chuck Puchmayr (Independent)

Puchmayr is a current New West city councillor, and a previous provincial MLA.

He has a long history at New West city hall, serving as a councillor between 1996 and 2005, and then again since 2011.

His platform includes making city hall more accessible, creating safer streets, supporting small businesses, and addressing homelessness in the city.

He says New West residents and businesses deserve sensible, non-partisan leadership with a strong focus on community safety and affordability.

Puchmayr has lived in New Westminster since 1978 and is an avid volunteer for BC Transplant, Honour House, A Beef with Hunger Society Farm and the Lookout Society.