Skip to content

Two incumbents announce plans to seek re-election in New Westminster

The two newest members of New Westminster city council will be seeking a second term. Councillors Mary Trentadue and Patrick Johnstone jointly announced June 10 that they will be seeking re-election in Oct. 20 municipal election.
Mary Trentadue Patrick Johnstone
Incumbent counillors Mary Trentadue and Patrick Johnstone announced today they'll be seeking a second term on New Westminster city council.

The two newest members of New Westminster city council will be seeking a second term.

Councillors Mary Trentadue and Patrick Johnstone jointly announced June 10 that they will be seeking re-election in Oct. 20 municipal election. In a press release, Johnstone and Trentadue stated they’ve worked together on council since 2014 and wanted to launch their re-election campaigns together in hopes that synergy can continue.

“I have a ton of respect for Mary,” Johnstone said. “She brings a considered and rational voice to any discussion, and I really value her advice. I can always count on her to challenge my assumptions with an open mind. I think we complement each other across the table, and make each other better councillors.”

Johnstone and Trentadue were both elected in their first runs for New Westminster city council.

“Patrick and I are very different in what we bring to the city, but we have been able to learn from each other, develop a greater understanding of issues through our strengths, and gain experience as councillors together,” Trentadue said. “I often find that Patrick can offer up opinions and ideas that I haven’t considered. He is a wealth of knowledge and incredibly fair and open-minded. It has been great serving this first term together.”

If re-elected Trentadue and Johnstone said they look forward to continuing work begun in their first terms, including affordable housing and transportation issues, Intelligent City initiatives, and the city’s public art projects.

Trentadue said her priorities will be continued support of flexible, inclusive housing choices that provide much-needed amenities and child-care spaces, promotion of local businesses, and championing the arts community.

“I would like to see the completion of the arts strategy, ensuring development of a child care centre at the Canada Games Pool and continued growth and success of our Intelligent City initiatives,” she said. “All of these build on our growing reputation as an innovative and economically vibrant city.”

Johnstone said the city’s capital plan is ambitious, but reflects work that a growing city needs to do.

“As we try to update the amenities that make our city livable, we also have a role in addressing the regional housing affordability crisis,” he said. “We need to be steadfast in our efforts to prevent demovictions in New Westminster, expand housing options for families, and support affordability at every part of the housing spectrum. New Westminster has become the ‘place to be’, but we need to assure it remains a sustainable, accessible, and affordable community.”

In 2014, Johnstone and Trentadue, along with all of the other candidates elected to city council, were endorsed by the New Westminster and District Labour Council.

“We are a progressive city – in the true meaning of that word. We are constantly seeking ways to make the city better and the community stronger,” Johnstone said in a press release. “There are many people who love this community and have worked hard to make it a better place. I love being part of that positive energy.”

Nadine Nakagawa and Chinu Das have announced they plan to run for city council and seek endorsements from the New Westminster and District Labour Council, while Daniel Fontaine, Paul McNamara and Bryn Ward will run under the New Westminster Progressive Electors Coalition slate. Mayor Jonathan Cote announced last week that he’ll be seeking a second term as mayor.