Samantha Agtarap BC Green Party Candidate shares her vision for the riding of Port Moody-Burquitlam.

Samantha Agtarap is a Port Moody City Councillor who is taking a run for Provincial politics on October 19th. She is long-time Port Moody resident and an engineer and small business owner. She became involved in politics because she wants to make a positive difference for people.

Nancy Furness – Local Journalism Initiative

Samantha says being on City Council has given her a great respect for ‘Robert’s Rules of Order’ and the need for government to communicate clearly, concisely, and often with constituents. Samantha is running for the Greens because she believes “It’s really important to balance the economic needs of our citizens with protection of the environment.”

Samantha feels that we haven’t adequately recognized Nature as an asset and that we don’t have to choose between the environment and the economy.

Although we still have the resource economy, she believes we need to lean into the green economy. Protection of the remaining old growth forest and the biodiversity it contains is top of mind to Samantha. While she sees a changing climate as a key issue Provincially, in her own riding of Port Moody-Burquitlam Samantha identifies housing and health care as key concerns. She credits the NDP for moving quickly on housing legislation but says flexibility and communication with municipalities was not adequate. Along with densification comes increased traffic.

Port Moody has one way in and one way out which makes traffic an ongoing challenge. Samantha says reallocating funding to provide free, convenient transit and supporting active transportation could alleviate congestion. Samantha would like to see increased voluntary treatment for drug addiction as well as other supports put in place. She likens relying on involuntary care as “kind of like building a table with one leg.” BC Greens are taking a more holistic, preventative approach including six free mental health sessions under our healthcare program.

Building bridges and using a collaborative approach are ways that Samantha envisions to work with colleagues and constituents. She feels being present in the community and having good relationships with municipal councils are way to make sure local perspectives are brought forward. Tri Cities Community TV is a group of volunteers in the region who are looking to support community video media and independant community news stories and sources.