Candidates in
Coquitlam

Filter candidates by their top three issues:

Climate Change, Heat, & Fires Housing & Homelessness Human Rights Local Government & Democracy Mental Health, Drugs, & Addiction Public Safety & Policing Public Spaces & Services Schools & Public Education Transit & Getting Around Clear filters

No filters selected

Edit

Candidates for
Mayor

Madhavee Inamdar

Independent

Craig Hodge

Independent

Candidates for
Council

Candidates for
SD43 Board of Education

Michael Baumann

Independent

Dana Ebtekar

Independent

Candace Knoll

Independent

Rosey Manhas

Independent

Shreya Qazi

Independent

Natalie Wang

Independent

matthewsebastiani.ca matthewsebastiani.ca

Contact

matthew@matthewsebastiani.ca

Matthew Sebastiani on Facebook matthew.sebastiani.coquitlam

matthew.sebastiani on Instagram

Share this profile

Matthew Sebastiani

Independent for Coquitlam Council

My vision is shaped by what I’ve heard from residents across our city and the perspective I bring from years of community leadership and policy experience.

Meaningful actions to help residents manage rising costs of living.

Deliver Low Property Taxes: Keep property taxes low, stable, and predictable to protect your hard-earned dollars and prevent unexpected increases.
Support Housing Diversity: Support a balanced mix of housing options, including affordable rentals, family‑sized units, and seniors’ housing.
Cut Red Tape: Streamline municipal processes and keep business tax rates competitive for local businesses and entrepreneurs, creating a stronger local economy that takes tax pressure off residential homeowners.

2. Responsible Financial Stewardship

Using tax dollars wisely while protecting the core services residents rely on.

Prioritize Core Services: Focus spending on essential services (water, sewer, roads, parks, fire, and police) to prevent unnecessary tax increases.
Strengthen Project Oversight: Ensure strict management on major capital projects so they are delivered on time and on budget.
Responsibly Invest Tax Dollars: Base municipal spending and service levels on clear data to get the maximum value out of every dollar.
Demand Metro Vancouver Accountability: Demand fiscal responsibility from Metro Vancouver, ensuring regional agencies end cost overruns and remain accountable to taxpayers.

3. Safe, Inclusive, and Accessible Communities

Building a safe city where everyone belongs and can participate fully.

Equip Emergency Services: Provide firefighters and police with the tools and resources they need to strengthen public safety in every neighborhood.
Address Homelessness & Addictions: Collaborate on long-term solutions for 3030 Gordon and advocate for stronger provincial action on mental health and addictions support.
Improve Mobility & Reduce Congestion: Upgrade key road corridors, improve cycling safety, and advocate for enhanced public transit to keep Coquitlam moving.
Boost Accessibility: Build safer, more accessible sidewalks and parks, improve street lighting, and support extended public washroom hours, while advocating for permanent facilities at core transit hubs like Coquitlam Central Station.
Advocate for a Coquitlam Urgent Care Centre: Partner with the provincial government and Fraser Health to secure a dedicated Urgent and Primary Care Centre within Coquitlam, ensuring our residents have local access to same-day medical care.

4. Enhance Community Life

Strengthening the neighborhoods, organizations, and public spaces that make Coquitlam home.

Invest in Recreation & Parks: Support new facilities and key upgrades for recreation centers, cultural spaces, sports infrastructure, and parks so that every neighborhood benefits from the City’s Capital Plan.
Protect Trails & Green Spaces: Safeguard and improve our cherished outdoor spaces, including Mundy Park, the Coquitlam Crunch, Como Lake, and Town Centre Park.
Expand Community Programs: Ensure recreation, sports, and arts programs are affordable and accessible for residents of all ages and stages of life.
Boost Sports, Arts & Festivals: Expand partnerships with local non-profits, sports organizations, and cultural groups to build strong community connections.
Empower Neighborhood Voices: Deepen community consultation to ensure neighborhood-driven planning sits at the heart of Coquitlam's future.

5. A Future-Ready Coquitlam

Planning for the next decade — not the next news cycle.

Attract High-Paying Jobs: Grow a stronger local economy by supporting economic diversification and business attraction.
Revitalize City Centre: Support a Downtown Economic Strategy featuring more dining, culture, and family-friendly spaces.
Modernize City Services: Utilize modern technology to deliver faster permit issuance, higher service levels, and greater transparency at City Hall.
Advance Climate Resilience: Protect and invest in our urban forest, green spaces, and EV infrastructure.
Manage Growth Wisely: Ensure municipal infrastructure and community amenities keep pace with population growth, particularly in developing areas such as Burke Mountain. I will actively advocate for provincial investments so that services like schools, childcare, and healthcare are delivered to residents.

Read less

Top three issues

Housing & Homelessness

Public Safety & Policing

Public Spaces & Services

Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team

Matthew Sebastiani is a lifelong Coquitlam resident, policy and finance expert, and a dedicated community leader for a number of non-profit and community organizations. He is running on a message of "Building Coquitlam's Future Together".

Who I Am

I’m Matthew Sebastiani a lifelong Coquitlam resident who grew up in Burquitlam, attended local public schools, played sports in our recreation centres, and spent countless hours exploring our parks and green spaces. This city has shaped every part of who I am, and it’s why I am passionate about our city and dedicated to serving our community.

My Commitment to Coquitlam

Community service has always been at the heart of what drives me. From volunteering with charities, to serving in leadership roles across Coquitlam’s cultural, philanthropic, and business organizations, I’ve always believed that strong communities are built by people working together toward a shared future.

A dedicated community champion, I’ve had the honour of serving - past and present - in various roles including:

Chair, Coquitlam Foundation
President, Place des Arts
Director, Coquitlam North Road Business Improvement Association
Director, Tri‑Cities Chamber of Commerce
President Vancouver Chapter, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Chair, Vancouver Gutsy Walk
Citizen Representative, Coquitlam Economic Development Advisory Committee
Citizen Representative, Coquitlam Universal Access-Ability Advisory Committee
Citizen Representative, City of New Westminster's City-Wide Toilet Strategy

My extensive experience in these roles have prepared me to step confidently into leadership at City Hall, grounded in service, collaboration, and community values. They have also given me a deep understanding of our city’s strengths and the opportunities ahead.

Professionally, I have also volunteered as:

Director, Association of Professional Economists of BC
Previous member of the Business Council of BC’s NEXT Leaders Council.

In 2025, I was honoured to be named the Tri‑Cities Chamber of Commerce Young Professional of the Year.

Policy & Financial Experience

My professional background spans the areas of policy and finance. I have worked as a Senior Analyst at the Bank of Canada, Associate Director of Corporate Development for a local life-sciences company, and served as a Policy Advisor to the Deputy Leader of the Senate of Canada.

These experiences have given me:

A strong understanding of public policy and economics
Expertise in budgeting and financial analysis
A commitment to evidence‑based, fiscally responsible decision‑making

During these times of economic uncertainty, cost pressures, and affordability challenges, having a trusted policy expert with these skills is beneficial for thoughtful and effective leadership at City Hall.

Education

MBA in Finance, UBC Sauder School of Business
BA (Honours) in Economics, Simon Fraser University

See Matthew Sebastiani's election promises

Reason for running

submitted by the candidate or their team

I’m running for City Council to build an affordable, inclusive, and future-ready Coquitlam. A collaborative leader, my focus areas are practical affordability solutions, strong financial stewardship, safe and accessible communities, and enhancing community life.

Why I’m Running

I’m running for City Council because of my passion for community service and thoughtful policy. I believe in a Coquitlam that is affordable, inclusive, and ready for the future - and I want to make a meaningful impact in the city we call home.

As a collaborative leader who listens, brings people together and focuses on what matters, my five platform pillars are:

Practical solutions to affordability
Responsible financial stewardship
Safe, inclusive and accessible communities
Enhance community life
A future-ready Coquitlam

Together, these priorities reflect a vision for a city that works for everyone. I’m running because I care deeply about this community and want to help lead Coquitlam into its next chapter.

On October 17, I’m asking for your support to be one of your choices for council so that we can build a thriving Coquitlam together.

This community has given me so much, and I am ready to serve its future.

Join me in Building Coquitlam’s Future Together.