Climate-Ready Coquitlam

With bold leadership and vision, Coquitlam can become a leader for climate action. Climate change is a threat to Coquitlam and the people who call it home. Heat domes, forest fires, atmospheric rivers, and floods in and around British Columbia have reminded us of the urgent need to take real action. Cities are on the frontline of climate governance and must take steps to protect residents from worsening climate impacts.

Adel will work to reduce Coquitlam’s carbon footprint while keeping our neighbourhoods healthy and safe by:

• Investing in accessible and reliable public transportation.

• Promoting electric vehicles as a transportation option by installing more residential, curbside, and public charging stations.

• Building protected and connected cycling and wheeling infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient transport options that get people where they need to go with reduced risk.

• Facilitating wider installation of energy efficient and carbon-neutral sources like electric heat pumps to heat and cool homes.

• Building mixed-use neighbourhoods that encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling.

• Amending building regulations to limit embodied emissions and require low-carbon materials in new construction.

• Investing in public spaces (e.g., libraries, parks, public centres) to serve as cooling centres, and staffing them with medical professionals in case of heat waves.

• Protecting streams and waterways from construction runoff, sediment, and other pollutants.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Social, emotional, and mental wellness is critical to every resident’s wellbeing. We have made strides as a society in removing the stigma associated with mental health challenges. It is now time for applied action to increase the services and resources to meet the needs of those who are struggling with these challenges.

Adel will advocate for these services by:

• Partnering with Fraser Health to provide a mobile crisis-response unit, combining a clinical nurse (specializing in mental health) and a police officer to support individuals experiencing emotional and mental health issues.

• Improving resource identification for crisis lines.

• Introducing city initiatives to improve the social, emotional, and mental wellness of everyone in Coquitlam.

• Providing mental health and wellness resources on city website in languages most commonly spoken by our residents.

City-to-Nation Partnership

In January of this year, Adel met with Kwikwetlem First Nation Chief and Council to forge a relationship prior to announcing his candidacy for mayor. In close collaboration with the Kwikwetlem First Nation, Adel will work for meaningful progress on reconciliation by:

• Building meaningful relations with Kwikwetlem First Nation through a city-to-nation, government-to-government relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.

• Adopting and implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation in the City of Coquitlam.

• Acknowledging and commemorating Indigenous contributions in the art, sports, culture, and history of our city.

Seniors & Age-Friendly Coquitlam

A city for everyone means that all residents feel a sense of belonging. Coquitlam is not currently recognized as an Age-Friendly City—a designation issued by the BC Ministry of Health.

Adel believes that Coquitlam residents who are 55+ enhance our neighbourhoods and make them vibrant and dignified. In an age-friendly city, neighbourhoods are safe, relationships are respectful, and everyone belongs.

Adel will implement and sustain Age-Friendly Community principles in Coquitlam by:

• Increasing city and community activities to avoid isolation while enhancing mental and physical wellbeing.

• Seeking opportunities for seniors to be socially active through mentoring, volunteering, or working in their neighbourhoods.

• Easing access to city information and resources.

• Providing seniors with a range of safe, convenient, and affordable transportation options.

• Supporting independence through access to affordable and appropriate housing and services.

• Designing public spaces and buildings that are welcoming, safe, and accessible.

Youth

Adel is a father, a teacher, and a mentor to young people. He cofounded Gamar Foundation—a nonprofit that aims to inspire, empower, and connect young people to enhance the public good in their communities. Advancing and enriching the lives of Coquitlam’s youth includes finding meaningful ways to help young people disconnect from screens and connect with their peers.

Adel will work to promote, support, and advance the lives of Coquitlam’s youth by:

• Supporting opportunities for youth empowerment and employment.

• Forming a Coquitlam Mayor’s Youth Council that will recommend opportunities to employ, develop, and engage our city’s youth.

• Amplifying the voice of the youth and forging opportunities for personal, professional, and community growth through training and mentorship.

• Connecting young people to each other through neighbourhood events, initiatives, and outreach.

• Establishing Youth Lead the Change—a participatory budgeting process granting youth the power to advise how to spend a portion of city's budget.

Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice

Coquitlam is a multigenerational, multilingual, and multicultural city. It is important that all residents see themselves reflected and celebrated across our city. Building a city for everyone includes creating belonging, safety, tolerance, and understanding for all residents.

Adel will help build a safe and welcoming city for all by:

• Continuing to celebrate various cultures and background that make up the diverse fabric of Coquitlam through inclusion and equity initiatives.

• Promoting accessibility of city resources, services, and initiatives.

• Engaging with community members, advocacy groups, and equity practitioners on topics relevant to the planning, growth, and development of city spaces. 

• Celebrating the diversity and resiliency of the LGBTQ2S+ community while amplifying the voices of underrepresented members of our city.

• Ensuring representation of Indigenous peoples at City Hall.

• Elevating the diverse stories and voices of the residents of our city through city website and events.

Gender Equality

Creating an equitable Coquitlam requires a commitment to serving everyone, particularly those underrepresented. The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on the additional barriers working families often face. Adel is committed to removing barriers to people’s advancement to allow everyone to thrive in Coquitlam.

To make progress on gender equity, Adel will lead by:

• Ensuring every neighbourhood has reliable and high-quality childcare.

• Supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through resources, grants, and co-working space.

• Advocating for single parents through housing and employment opportunities.

• Committing to equitable decision-making related to policy, funding, and services.

Housing

Accessible and affordable housing is a human right. Housing is the foundation of community, health, economic, and educational opportunity. To build a city for everyone, we need bold and innovative solutions that increase housing options along with accompanying services.

To address housing shortages and inaccessibility, Adel will:

• Plan for community stability and resiliency, not displacement.

• Ensure all new development projects offer real benefits to residents.

• Build new rental buildings of up to six storeys that include small-scale retail at street level.

• Invest in and expand nonprofit, cooperative, and mixed-income housing.

• Create long-term, accessible, and supportive options for the unhoused while addressing the root causes of housing instability and homelessness.

Families, Children & Public Spaces

Approximately one-third of Coquitlam’s population is under the age of 24 (16% are under the age of 14). Ensuring families and young people feel belonging and connection will allow this population to thrive. Numerous studies indicate that children and youth thrive when they have opportunities for independence to safely access the outdoors in their neighbourhoods. This means freedom to walk, bike, and wheel safely to schools, work, parks, public transit, community centres, and neighbour’s homes.

To improve public spaces for the benefit of families, children and others, Adel will lead by:

• Building multi-family housing near schools.

• Creating slow streets along with walkable and wheelable neighbourhoods, particularly on streets adjacent to arterial roads.

• Designing child and youth-friendly public spaces and seating areas along with arts and culture programming.

• Designating public gathering spaces and park infrastructure across neighbourhoods that encourage social activities and community connections.

• Adding public amenities to include retail shops, corner stores, and public plazas.

• Increasing separate bike lanes linked to parks, shopping, and public transit stations.