Lurbiecki challenges Lahti in Port Moody’s mayoral race

After four years of debate, Port Moody voters are set to decide between incumbent Mayor Meghan Lahti and Coun. Haven Lurbiecki. Lurbiecki cast the lone vote against the city’s official community plan and says council approved a taller framework with more towers without properly consulting the public. Lahti describes the plan as a framework for balanced, responsibly managed growth that can bring opportunities, resources and services.

Lurbiecki opposed the six-tower Coronation Park development, arguing it did not meet the city’s affordability requirements. Lahti urged council in the project’s early stages not to be obstructionist or turn away opportunities, saying the completed neighbourhood would house a new generation of Port Moody residents. Lahti’s stated priorities include expanding Rocky Point Park, rebuilding the Kyle Centre, adding seniors housing and improving transportation. She pointed to plans to widen the eastbound Barnet Highway rail overpass and add a rush-hour lane on St. Johns Street. Land west of Rocky Point is privately owned and may require a land swap or acquisition, she said. Lahti also cited the new boardwalk, Bob Favele Field and plans for a civic daycare facility.

Lurbiecki is campaigning to repeal the Moody Centre plan and increase public consultation. She has previously called for a referendum on tower heights there and leads candidates running under the new Port Moody Voice party, whose priorities include community-scale development, affordability, parks, infrastructure, city hall accountability and a diversified local economy.

There are 16 council candidates. Five of six incumbents are seeking re-election, while Lurbiecki is running for mayor. Coun. Samantha Agtarap is seeking re-election on a platform of affordable, accessible growth, housing at every stage of life and possible exploration of an arm’s-length housing corporation. She also supports preserving industrial space, expanding commercial floor space and introduced a motion to end the city’s use of X, formerly Twitter.

Nurse Alexandra Chan, a Port Moody Voice candidate, says city hall decisions should put residents’ health first and has pledged to advocate for a community family doctor clinic if elected. Long-serving councillor Diana Dilworth is seeking re-election. She previously worked with Coun. Amy Lubik on a resolution asking B.C. to recognize housing as a human right, praised the public input into the official community plan and said scrutiny of her role as director of government relations for Homebuilders Association Vancouver has at times become harassment. She also voted with council to cut support for a pilot program allowing alcohol consumption in parks.

Retired former real estate agent John Grasty says he entered local politics to keep slates out of it. He supported a proposed two-tower, 39-storey project east of Moody Centre SkyTrain station, citing a grocery store and an extension of Golden Spike Way. Kyla Knowles says her focus after her first council term is financial stability and infrastructure, including the new Kyle Centre; she has defended the Moody Centre framework and sponsored a Union of B.C. Municipalities motion seeking reconsideration of a proposed provincial sales-tax expansion.

Pharmacist Mark Kunzli says development must stay within what local infrastructure, traffic and community services can support; he is also running with Port Moody Voice. Business consultant and former federal Conservative candidate Paul Lambert is seeking council and proposes more townhouses for families, as well as an additional eastbound rush-hour lane on St. Johns Street and Murray Street that would otherwise serve as parking. Product management director Jeanine Longley says economic growth should support workers, small-business owners and the community, with sufficient commercial space, improved walking connections, lower emissions and less reliance on cars.