Councillor Darrell Penner for reelect-Port Coquitlam City Council

Brad Nickason (We’ve Got Issues) interviews candidate for Port Coquitlam City Council Darrell Penner. Darrell has been a Councillor for 23 years during which time he has witnessed many changes to Port Coquitlam. He gives examples of increased population, loss of salmon, children going to school hungry, and increased homelessness with the closing of Riverview. Historically Council had compassion for the homeless, but there was frustration due to lack of support from Provincial and Federal governments. Although homelessness is a Federal and Provincial issue, affordable, non-market housing not subsidized by taxpayers at the Municipal level provides part of the solution to homelessness. Darrell says there will be over 800 such units based on twelve years of work on Council. Housing density bonuses from developers are applied to non-market housing. Darrell’s initial goal when first elected was to understand how things work at the Municipal level. He wanted to ensure better development and policy to protect waterways such as Hyde Creek. He feels he has been successful in enabling City Hall to be receptive to people providing new ideas. Darrell says he feels the Council workplace is respectful. He also cites his support in developing trails throughout Port Coquitlam. Darrell says COVID was a big interrupter last term. He says Council was focused on completing the new Community Centre on time and on budget during COVID. Council spends a lot of time focusing on finance to keep taxes low. Council also worked on getting more non-market housing. Port Coquitlam will densify, including building towers to meet future housing needs and to avoid urban sprawl, traffic, and the need for more infrastructure. High density areas support businesses. Residents support densification close to transit. Darrell hopes to be re-elected so he can continue working on the same issues as he has in the past. He feels he has a good idea of what the community wants. He wants to continue developing trails and different forms of housing and keeping an eye on taxes and services. Darrell says the City has been supportive of the Arts community, despite there being low interest from residents. He says the arts groups should organize the same way the sports community did.