SFU student Ali Cina enters Coquitlam council race

Ali Cina, a 21-year-old Simon Fraser University student, has announced he will run as an independent for Coquitlam council in the Oct. 17 municipal election. A Tri-Cities resident who grew up in the area, Cina has lived in Coquitlam since 2018.

Cina said his grassroots campaign has been built largely by him and a small volunteer team, from its website and launch video to door-knocking. His platform focuses on lowering the cost of living through lower property taxes and more diversified city revenue; making municipal spending easier to understand through a budget tool and itemized quarterly reporting; and giving residents earlier notice and meaningful consultation before major council decisions.

He said his community experience and conversations with residents and small-business owners led him to run. Cina also cited low participation in the 2022 municipal election, when about one in five eligible Coquitlam voters cast ballots, saying turnout could give residents greater influence this time.

Cina studies computer science and political science at SFU. He works locally, volunteers with Fraser Health’s community research team at Eagle Ridge Hospital, and does freelance web and software development and security consulting.