News Flash

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.

The City has adopted its first-ever Accessibility and Inclusion Plan, advancing ongoing efforts to make everyday life in Coquitlam more welcoming, accessible and inclusive for residents and visitors.

COQUITLAM, B.C., March 31, 2026 – The City has adopted its first-ever Accessibility and Inclusion Plan, advancing ongoing efforts to make everyday life in Coquitlam more welcoming, accessible and inclusive for residents and visitors. 

The Plan builds on the City’s long-standing work to enhance accessibility in the community, while also meeting the requirement for all B.C. municipalities under the Accessible British Columbia Act.

Community Engagement Vital

The Accessibility and Inclusion Plan was shaped by meaningful contributions from community members who generously shared their time, knowledge, and lived experiences, including people from the disability community and other equity-deserving groups. 

Members of the City’s Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee, both past and present, also played a vital role in guiding the work and championing inclusion every step of the way. 

This work is essential because disability is far more common than people may realize. In B.C., nearly 30 per cent of people aged 15 and over live with at least one disability. In Coquitlam, that means about 43,000 residents may experience barriers in their daily lives, often alongside other aspects of their diversity such as their age or gender.  

Strengthening Existing Work

Accessibility and inclusion have long been priorities for the City, guiding ongoing improvements to parks and facilities, services, digital tools, and workplace practices. Building on this foundation, the City continues to identify and remove barriers so it can better serve the diverse needs of the community and its workforce. 

Serving both the organization and the community, the Plan will guide enhancements across six focus areas: Built Environment, Delivery of Services, Employment, Information and Communications, Procurement, and Transportation. 

Over the next three years and beyond, it will support actions that make it easier for people to access City services and programs, move through our public spaces, and participate in community life. 

Moving Forward with Intention

As a forward-looking guide, the Plan is designed to strengthen accessibility and inclusion at the City in a strategic way. In an effort to ensure that community perspectives continue to shape the Plan and future work, there are multiple ways that people can report accessibility barriers and/or share general feedback on the Plan:

• Online: An Accessibility Feedback Form is available at coquitlam.ca/accessibility
• Email: EDI@coquitlam.ca with feedback or to request assistance to fill out an Accessibility Feedback Form
• Call: 604-927-3000 and ask to be directed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion staff
• In-person: Visit City Hall (3000 Guildford Way) and ask to speak to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion staff

This work reflects a continued focus to building a Coquitlam where everyday experiences are more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for people across a range of lived experiences, today and in the years ahead.

Media contact:Manisha DuttaSenior Manager, Equity, Diversity and InclusionEDI@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.

The City's contractor will be upgrading the storm main across Brunette Avenue, just east of Lougheed Highway. Work is expected to start March 23 and will be ongoing for three weeks. Work will take place nightly, Monday to Friday, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

What: Storm Main Replacement

Where: Brunette Avenue, just east of Lougheed Highway (Location Map)

When: Work is to begin the week of March 23 and will be ongoing for approximately three weeks.  Due to traffic volumes and public safety, construction will take place during nighttime hours, Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 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.  

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  

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  

Metro Vancouver will be starting work on the Stoney Creek Sewer Upgrade Project. The first phase of the project along Chapman Ave from Bole Crt and Gilroy Cres will start on January 12 and will be ongoing for 3-4 months, before moving to the next section.

What: Metro Vancouver Stoney Creek Sewer Upgrade Project - Phase 1

Where: Chapman Avenue between Bole Court and Gilroy Crescent (Location Map)

When: Construction will be starting the week of January 12, 2026. The first phase of the project starting at Chapman Avenue will take approximately 3-4 months to complete, and then will proceed down Gilroy Crescent in the next section.  

Traffic Impacts:  Traffic will be impacted.   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 as Metro Vancouver's contractor completes this necessary work. 

Follow the City on our social media channels Facebook and Instagram where we update regularly with info on traffic hot spots.

For more information, contact:Metro Vancouver Information Centre: 604-432-6200After Hours Emergency: 604-451-6610Email: icentre@metrovancouver.org (Include “Stoney Creek Sewer Upgrade –Coquitlam Section” in the subject line of your email)Website: metrovancouver.org (Search for “Stoney Creek Sewer Project” for more information or to sign up for project updates)