Councillor Matt Djonlic Voices Bold Vision for Housing and Community Empowerment

In a candid and wide-ranging conversation with Majid Mahichi of Parvaz TV and Skyrise Media Society, Coquitlam Councillor Matt Djonlic shared insights on the city’s housing strategy, infrastructure investments, and the growing urgency of sustaining independent local media.

Djonlic, the youngest member of Coquitlam City Council, spoke about the city’s vision to create vibrant, transit-oriented communities while preserving space for families and future generations. He pointed to projects like the new Mundy Park outdoor pool and upcoming recreation hubs in Burke Mountain and Fraser Mills as examples of building for long-term livability.

A key focus of the discussion was the disappearance of local journalism, underscored by the recent closure of the Tri-City News. Djonlic called it “a huge loss,” adding that without independent reporting, transparency and civic engagement are harder to maintain. While the city has created its own news platform, Coquitlam Current, Djonlic stressed that it cannot fill the role of an objective, external watchdog.

Mahichi, reflecting on the conversation, said, “It’s refreshing to see a young councillor so tuned in to the needs of the community and the importance of multilingual, grassroots media. At Parvaz TV, we believe that stories told in the voices of our diverse communities are the heartbeat of democracy.”

Both Djonlic and Mahichi emphasized the need to foster stronger connections between City Hall and residents from all backgrounds—especially in an era when traditional media platforms are disappearing. In Djonlic’s view, community-led media like Parvaz TV are not just filling a gap, but redefining how civic dialogue can be more inclusive, multilingual, and responsive to the people it serves.