News Flash

Bring your broken radio, flat bike tire, ripped jeans and more to Coquitlam’s spring Repair Café on April 25 at Dogwood Pavilion. Skilled volunteers can help you fix common household items so you can keep using them and they don’t end up in the landfill.

COQUITLAM, B.C., April 7, 2026 – Bring your broken radio, flat bike tire, ripped jeans and more to Coquitlam’s spring Repair Café on April 25 at Dogwood Pavilion. Skilled volunteers can help you fix common household items so you can keep using them and they don’t end up in the landfill.

Sign up for a timeslot or drop by Dogwood Pavilion (1655 Winslow Avenue, Mike Butler Room) on Saturday, April 25 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and bring your item in need of repair. You’ll work alongside volunteers to learn how to fix it yourself, gaining a skill, saving money and reducing waste.

New Repair Café Partnership

New for 2026, we’ve partnered with the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) - a charitable organization focused on practical solutions in sustainable food systems, zero waste, renewable energy, and green transportation. They are coming on board as a host organization to run future Repair Cafés, bringing with them experience from three years of coordinating Repair Cafés in Vancouver. Learn more at spec.bc.ca. 

The Repair Café on April 25 will be co-led by SPEC and the City of Coquitlam. They offer fixes by appointment as well as opportunity for drop-ins. If you want to make sure your item gets looked at, we recommend booking an appointment but walk-ins are welcome!  

A Second Life for Household Items

At the last Repair Café in January, 28 volunteers came out to help, which is the most we’ve had since the inception of Coquitlam’s Repair Café. They worked on an impressive amount of items that residents brought in – 114 in total – and managed to fix the majority.  

Fix-it stations include:

• Bike tune-ups – adjusting brakes and gears, inflating tires, fixing flat tubes, chain maintenance and tightening loose parts
• Electronics troubleshooting – radios, fans, lamps and more 
• Textiles and clothing – patching, zipper fixes 
• Small home appliances – kettles, toasters, blenders
• Furniture repairs – loose legs on chairs or sticky drawers

If your item requires specific parts, please bring them with you. We can take one item at a time and a second item may be considered if time permits. We cannot accept items after 1:30 p.m.

This popular event is part skill-sharing workshop, part community get-together – and a great way to extend the life of the things you love. For full details, visit coquitlam.ca/RepairCafe.

Reduce Waste, Support Sustainability

Coquitlam supports a circular economy and encourages residents to do their part whenever and wherever they can. The aim of a circular economy is to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible in order to minimize what’s going into the landfill. This includes choosing durable and repairable items, reusing materials and participating in local initiatives like Repair Cafés. By taking this sustainable approach, we can all help address climate change by reducing emissions tied to the manufacturing, use, and disposal of products. 

Coquitlam residents can take part the City’s range of tools and programs to help reduce waste and embrace sustainable practices, such as:

• City-Wide Garage Sale and Giveaway Event: This twice a year event happens in the spring and fall. It helps residents give unused items a new home and keep them out of the landfill. Learn more at coquitlam.ca/GarageSale.
• Donation Options: Explore local organizations and drop-off locations in our Guide to Donating Locally.
• Recycling Options: Take advantage of curbside recycling at homeas well as the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre and other local recycling facilities. Learn more at coquitlam.ca/Recycling.
• Waste Wizard Tool: Use this tool to find donation or recycling options for a variety of household items at coquitlam.ca/WasteWizard.
• Curbside Collection App: Stay informed on waste collection days, receive waste-reduction tips, and get notifications for special programs like the Seasonal Unlimited Yard Trimmings collection by downloading the Coquitlam Curbside Collection app.
• Large Item Pick-up: Residents who receive the City’s curbside collection service can have up to four large household items collected each year. Starting in 2025, large electronic items are now accepted. Learn more at coquitlam.ca/LIPU. 
• Composting Resources: Buy a backyard composter from the City at a subsidized price of $25 plus tax. Learn more at coquitlam.ca/WasteReduction.

Media contact: Julie KanyaEnvironmental Education and Enforcement Managerepw@coquitlam.ca604-927-3500 

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum), meaning “Red Fish Up the River.” The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee) and other Coast Salish Peoples.

The City of Coquitlam has exceeded the first-year housing target set by the Province, reflecting the City’s longstanding leadership in enabling housing.

COQUITLAM, B.C., March 31, 2026 – The City of Coquitlam has exceeded the first-year housing target set by the Province, reflecting the City’s longstanding leadership in enabling housing.

This milestone was reached six months into the first reporting year. Between September 1, 2025 and February 28, 2026, a total of 1,032 net new housing units were completed in Coquitlam, surpassing the Province’s first-year target of 972 units.

As of December 31, 2025, the City had more than 11,800 approved housing units that have not yet applied for building permits, demonstrating that Coquitlam continues to approve significantly more housing than the market is currently delivering. 

These results showcase Coquitlam’s proactive approach to planning policies, streamlined development processes and investments that support measured growth.

Regional Leader in Housing

Over the past six months, the City has continued to advance policies and initiatives designed to support housing delivery, including:

• Implementing provincially mandated changes, such as Transit-Oriented Areas and Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing
• Advancing a streamlined Interim Official Community Plan
• Introducing a Certified Professional Program to contribute towards improved permit service delivery and timelines
• Updating rental incentive policies for medium- and high-density development
• Establishing a Priority Review Policy for non-market housing projects
• Undertaking a Citywide Parking Review

The City continues to support affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund, committing $3.83 million since April 2025, and is advancing plans for non-market housing on City-owned land.

While municipalities play a key role in approving housing, local governments cannot compel development to proceed.

Housing completions – the metric used by the Province to measure progress under the Housing Target Order – depend on decisions made by landowners and developers, as well as broader market conditions such as construction costs, financing availability and housing demand.

Many of the homes completed during the reporting period were approved by Council before the Housing Target Order was introduced.

Provincial Support Needed to Deliver Affordable Housing

The Province has also established guidelines encouraging municipalities to deliver significant levels of rental and below-market housing.

However, achieving these targets requires substantial funding from other levels of government.

Recent provincial budget decisions have reduced funding for affordable housing programs, including the elimination of the $3.3-billion Community Housing Fund, which previously helped deliver 560 affordable housing units in Coquitlam.

Based on provincial guidelines, delivering the target 2,252 below-market unit in Coquitlam would require an estimated $760 million to $1.2 billion in capital funding, even if land is provided at no cost.

Infrastructure Must Keep Pace with Growth

As one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the region, Coquitlam continues to call for stronger provincial investment in the infrastructure required to support housing and population growth.

Key priorities include: 

• Health care: Coquitlam is the only B.C. municipality with more than 150,000 residents without a hospital or urgent care centre within its boundaries.
• Schools: More than $1.1 billion is required for new schools, additions and seismic upgrades over the next 10 years.
• Transit: Over $1.2 billion in regional transit capital funding is needed over the next 10 years to implement Coquitlam’s share of TransLink’s Access for Everyone Plan.
• Transportation: Major regional transportation investments are required, including the Brunette Interchange Upgrade Project.
• Child care: Approximately 6,700 new child care spaces are needed to meet community demand.

Continuing to Support Housing

The City will continue to work with the Province and other partners to support housing delivery and affordability.

Coquitlam’s next progress report under the Housing Target Order will be submitted following the completion of the first reporting year on August 31, 2026.

Media contact:

Renée de St. CroixDirector Urban Planning and Design604-927-3430devinfo@coquitlam.ca

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.

A simpler, more user-friendly plan outlining how Coquitlam grows is one step closer, with Council granting first reading to the Interim Official Community Plan (OCP).

COQUITLAM, B.C., March 31, 2026 – A simpler, more user-friendly plan outlining how Coquitlam grows is one step closer, with Council granting first reading to the Interim Official Community Plan (OCP).

Official Community Plans guide how a city grows and changes over time, including where housing, services, transportation and amenities are located. Since its adoption in 2001, Coquitlam’s OCP has expanded to more than 1,000 pages, with overlapping policies, multiple plans and layers of amendments. The Interim OCP is designed to simplify that framework, making it easier for residents, applicants and staff to navigate and use.

At the same time, the update ensures the City aligns with provincial legislation, including requirements related to housing needs, transit-oriented development and small-scale multi-unit housing.

Key Changes in the Interim OCP

This interim update focuses on streamlining the City’s existing OCP, improving usability by consolidating existing policies and incorporating changes required or necessitated by provincial housing legislation, while laying the groundwork for a more comprehensive review anticipated to begin in 2027.

This interim update does not introduce new land use policy or identify new areas for growth, unless required by the provincial housing legislation.

Key improvements include:

• Simplified structure: Policies have been reorganized into a clear, consistent format with defined goals, objectives and actions.
• Reduction in complexity: The total number of policies has been reduced by approximately 70 per cent, removing duplication and improving clarity.
• Consolidated land use and maps: Dozens of land use designations and maps have been streamlined into a more cohesive, citywide system.
• Improved usability: Clear language and consistent terminology make the document easier to navigate and apply.
• Faster processes: Updated urban design guidelines and policy direction support more efficient development review timelines.

The result is a more accessible, modern plan that supports decision-making while maintaining the City’s long-term vision.

Community Feedback Reflected in Updated Document

Residents had the opportunity to share input through online and in-person opportunities during November and December 2025, including public information sessions – both in-person and virtual – and an online survey. Staff also responded to questions and comments through emails and phone calls from residents throughout this process. 

A full What We Heard report summarizing the feedback is available to view at LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/OfficialCommunityPlan. 

Next Steps 

Following first reading, the proposed bylaws will move forward to a Public Hearing, where residents can provide input to Council. Further readings and adoption will follow Public Hearing. Public hearing details will be shared in advance through:

• The City’s website and public notice postings
• Email notifications to subscribers and project participants at LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/OfficialCommunityPlan.

If adopted, the Interim OCP will replace the current OCP and guide planning decisions moving forward, while setting the stage for a more comprehensive review beginning in 2027.

Media contact:

Renée de St. Croix Director Urban Planning and Design 604-927-3430

devinfo@coquitlam.ca

We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.

City crews will be completing bridge maintenance and paving work along David Avenue between Oxford Street and Glenbrook Street. Work will take place on April 7 and 8, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Traffic flow will be impacted.

What: Bridge Maintenance/Paving Works

Where: David Avenue between Oxford Street and Glenbrook Street (Location Map)

When: Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8. Work will take place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (weather dependent)

Traffic Impacts: During active construction, single lane traffic will be maintained in each direction on David Avenue. Please plan an alternate route to avoid delays or plan extra time when using this route.

Travel with caution through construction zones, watch for work crews and equipment, and obey all traffic personnel and signs, including construction speed limits. Thank you for your patience.

For more information, contact: Engineering and Public Works - Customer Service 604-927-3500 epw@coquitlam.ca 

The City’s contractor will be paving at the following intersections on Pipeline Road at: Dunkirk Avenue and Gabriola Drive, Work will take place Wednesday, April 8 to Saturday, April 11, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. (weather permitting).

What: Pipeline Road Upgrade Project - Paving Work

Where: Intersection of Pipeline Road at Dunkirk Avenue and at Gabriola Drive (Location Map)

When: Wednesday, April 8 to Saturday, April 11, between the hour of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (weather permitting)

Traffic Impacts: Traffic will be impacted.  East side of the intersection at Dunkirk Avenue and Gabriola Drive will be closed and detours will be in place. Please plan extra time when using this route or plan an alternate route to avoid delays. 

Travel with caution through construction zones, watch for work crews and equipment, and obey all traffic personnel and signs, including construction speed limits. Thank you for your patience.

To stay up-to-date on project updates and for more information,  please visit www.coquitlam.ca/PipelineRoad and/or visit www.coquitlam.ca/NotifyMe to subscribe to Pipeline Road Upgrade Project to receive project updates via email. 

For more information, contact:Public Works Liaison604-927-3550pwl@coquitlam.ca 

The City's contractor will be completing a number of upgrades on the Mariner Way Overpass, located adjacent to the Coquitlam Bus Loop, just south of Barnet Highway. Work will take place in early March to late July, Monday to Saturday, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

What: Mariner Way Overpass Rehabilitation and Transit Ramp Intersection Improvement

Where: Mariner Way between Barnet Highway and Dewdney Trunk Road (Location Map)

When: Work is to begin in early March to late July. Due to traffic volumes and public safety, construction will take place during nighttime hours, Monday to Saturday between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. 

Traffic Impacts: During active construction, traffic will be limited to a single lane in each direction so please plan alternate route to avoid delays. In addition, the sidewalk may be closed during certain phases of the project and pedestrians will be detoured.

Travel with caution through construction zones, watch for work crews and equipment, and obey all traffic personnel and signs, including construction speed limits. Thank you for your patience.

For more information, contact:Public Works Liaison604-927-3550pwl@coquitlam.ca