News Flash

Take a few minutes to practice what to do during an earthquake by participating in The Great BC ShakeOut drill on Thursday, October 15 at 10:15 a.m.

COQUITLAM, B.C., October 8, 2026 – Take a few minutes to practice what to do during an earthquake by participating in The Great BC ShakeOut drill on Thursday, October 15 at 10:15 a.m. 

The annual province-wide earthquake drill brings together schools, businesses and families across the province to practice how to be safe during an earthquake.

Great British Columbia ShakeOut

Organized by the BC Earthquake Alliance Society, the Great British Columbia ShakeOut is the largest earthquake drill in B.C. It is an important opportunity to practice the ‘Drop (lock), Cover and Hold On’ earthquake protocol:

• Drop to the floor or lock your walker/wheelchair in place. 
• Cover your head and neck with your arm and, if possible, take shelter under a sturdy desk or table. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, drop to the ground in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table.
• Hold on to your shelter, covering your head and neck until the shaking stops. Count to 60 before getting up – this gives loose objects time to settle.

Residents are encouraged to participate wherever they are at 10:15 a.m. and use the drill as an opportunity to review their household, workplace or school emergency plans and supplies.

More than 3,000 earthquakes occur in British Columbia each year with most too small to be felt. However, being prepared for a large magnitude earthquake can help reduce injuries and property damage, and will help residents be better equipped to care for themselves afterwards while essential services are restored.

How to Participate

• Visit ShakeOutBC.ca to register as a participant and download resources (including sound effects to play during the drill and emergency preparation information). 
• At 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, practice the “Drop (lock), Cover and Hold On’ protocol.
• After the drill, practice what you will do after the shaking stops.

Visit coquitlam.ca/earthquake for details on what actions to take after an earthquake, and for more preparedness information and resources. 

How to Get Prepared for an Earthquake

• Create a Home Emergency Plan outlining how you and the people and pets that you live with will respond during an emergency.
• Maintain an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, pet supplies, medications, flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit to last at least 72 hours.
• Do a 'hazard hunt' in your home, workplace or classroom for items that might fall during earthquakes, and secure them.
  • Example hazards include pictures, mirrors, appliances, TVs, bookcases, water heaters, ceiling fans, etc.
• Learn how to turn off your utilities like water, gas and electricity.

Prepared BC is the provincial government's program that provides resources and information to help British Columbia residents and organizations prepare for and recover from emergencies. 

Media contact:Eva Kaczmarczyk Manager Risk and Emergency ProgramCommunity SafetyEmergencyProgram@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.

With autumn leaves starting to pile up, Coquitlam residents who receive City waste collection, can take advantage of free curbside pickup for their extra yard trimmings from October 19 to November 26.

COQUITLAM, B.C., October 7, 2026 – With autumn leaves starting to pile up, Coquitlam residents who receive City waste collection, can take advantage of free curbside pickup for their extra yard trimmings from October 19 to November 26.

Set out all extra waste from yard cleanups, such as leaves, grass clippings and pruned branches, during the six-week period and the City will collect it at no extra cost on your regular collection day. Last year, approximately 400 tonnes of yard waste was collected, helping to keep yards tidy, while turning yard waste into usable compost and helping to prevent leaves from clogging storm drains, catch basins, and creeks.

Preparing for Yard Waste Pickup

To participate in the program, either pack extra yard trimmings in old garbage cans labelled with a Yard Trimmings Sticker (PDF), in paper bags or in bundles tied with twine and place at the curb on your regular collection day. Free Yard Trimmings stickers can be picked up on the main floor of City Hall at the Engineering Customer Service counter or at the City Centre and Poirier Public libraries.

Tips for a smooth yard trimmings collection:

• Do not set out yard waste materials before your first collection day on the week of October 19, as wet bags and containers are difficult to collect.
• Have extra yard trimmings set out by 7:30 a.m. on collection day. A separate truck will collect the extra yard waste, so it may be picked up at a different time than your Green Cart.
• While bundles, cans and paper bags of yard trimmings can be placed out early, City-issued Green Carts must only be set out after 5:30 a.m. on collection day to avoid fines, even if they contain only yard trimmings.
• Keep branches in tied bundles no longer than 1 metre (3 feet) in length and less than 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) in diameter.
• Each bag, can or bundle must weigh less than 20 kilograms (44 pounds).
• Items like sod, rocks, soil and plastic bags are not accepted.
• Food scraps must only be put in regular Green Cart – keep them out of paper bags or other containers used for extra yard trimmings. 
• Ensure materials are placed curbside without blocking the sidewalk or street. If rain is expected, cover paper bags with a tarp to protect them from getting soggy and delay placing them out until the morning of collection.

For more information and full program details, visit coquitlam.ca/YardTrimmings.

United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre

Coquitlam residents can drop off green waste for free year-round at the United Boulevard Recycling and Waste Centre, 995 United Boulevard. Accepted materials include yard trimmings such as grass clippings, leaves, plants, plant cuttings, tree and hedge prunings, tree branches and food waste. Proof of residency is required, and annual limits apply. For more information, visit coquitlam.ca/YardTrimmings.

Get Collection Reminders by Email, Phone or App

For reminders on your waste collection schedule – including changes for statutory holidays, collection disruptions due to weather and seasonal yard trimmings collection – visit coquitlam.ca/ReCollect to set up email or phone alerts. Or use your smartphone to download the collection reminder app for free; visit the app store and search for Coquitlam Curbside Collection.

Media contact:Nichelle CameronManager, Solid Waste & Special Projects604-927-4300WasteReduction@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.

After spending years in the ocean, Coquitlam’s salmon are returning home to spawn. On October 25, residents are invited to Hoy Creek Hatchery for a day of free, family-friendly activities and hands-on learning at the much loved Salmon Come Home event.

COQUITLAM, B.C., October 6, 2026 – After spending years in the ocean, Coquitlam’s salmon are returning home to spawn. On October 25, residents are invited to Hoy Creek Hatchery for a day of free, family-friendly activities and hands-on learning at the much loved Salmon Come Home event.

This event offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the extraordinary journey salmon take to return to their home creeks in Coquitlam. The fish hatchery will be open to visitors where they can learn about salmon, view returning salmon, and even watch a salmon dissection up close. Attendees can also enjoy:

In addition to interactive activities, visitors can engage with a variety of educational displays from community stewardship groups, including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, Coquitlam’s Environment and Parks divisions and more.

How to Get to the Hoy Creek Hatchery

The Hoy Creek Hatchery is located within Hoy Creek Linear Park, just off Guildford Way.

Parking near the trail is limited so visitors are encouraged to walk or take public transit when possible. To access via SkyTrain, take the train to Lafarge–Douglas Station then walk across Pinetree Way and follow Guildford Way to the trailhead entrance. If you’re driving, free parking is available on Sundays in the aboveground City staff lot by Coquitlam City Hall, accessible from Burlington Drive. This lot is a short walk to the trail entrance across Guildford Way. Additional parking is available in Town Centre Park. For more information, visit our website.

Honouring the Salmon Life Cycle

Co-hosted by the Hoy-Scott Watershed Society, the Salmon Come Home event celebrates the remarkable journey of salmon returning back to the creeks where they hatched, then spawning and dying to complete their life cycle. Chum salmon typically return from early October to mid-November, while Coho arrive from late October to mid-December. The timing can vary based on weather conditions, so residents are encouraged to visit Hoy Creek and other local streams throughout the fall to catch a glimpse of the salmon as they make their way back into Coquitlam’s creeks. For self-guided exploration, check out the scavenger hunt map at coquitlam.ca/SalmonComeHome.

Protecting Coquitlam’s Waterways

Help protect local salmon and aquatic life by participating in the City’s Adopt-a-Catch Basin and Storm Drain marking programs. Did you know storm drains empty directly into local streams? By keeping drains clear of debris and disposing of harmful substances properly, you are playing a key role in safeguarding our fish habitats. For more details or to get involved, visit our Adopt a Catch Basin page. Visit Coquitlam’s Waste Wizard Tool to learn where to take your hazardous waste.

Media contact:Caresse SelkSenior Manager Environmentepw@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.

City crews will be installing a new water main along Winslow Avenue between Blue Mountain Street and Porter Street starting October 6, and will be ongoing for six weeks. Work will take place Monday to Friday between of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

What: Water Main Installation 

Where: Winslow Avenue between Blue Mountain Street and Porter Street (Location Map)

When: Starting Tuesday, October 6 and continuing for approximately six weeks (weather dependent). Work will take place Monday to Friday between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Impacts: Traffic flow and street parking will be impacted. Please plan an alternate route to avoid delays. 

Driver Safety Reminder:When traveling through the construction zone, please:

• Drive with extreme caution and follow construction speed limits.
• Keep a close watch for work crews and heavy machinery.
• Obey all construction signage and instructions from traffic personnel.

Thank you for your patience as City crews complete this necessary work. 

For more information, contact:Engineering & Public Works - Customer Service604-927-3500epw@coquitlam.ca

City crews will be working on Falcon Drive, south of Guildford Way starting Tuesday, October 13 thru to Friday, October 16, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Northbound traffic will be impacted and pedestrian detours will be in place.

What: Utility Maintenance Work 

Where: Falcon Drive, south of the Guildford Way Intersection (Location Map)

When: Tuesday, October 13 to Friday, October 16 (weather permitting). Work will take place daily between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Impacts: Northbound traffic  will be reduced to a single lane at the intersection and pedestrians will be re-routed to the west side of the street. Please plan an alternate route to avoid delays or plan extra time when using this route.

Driver Safety Reminder:When traveling through the construction zone, please:

• Drive with extreme caution and follow construction speed limits.
• Keep a close watch for work crews and heavy machinery.
• Obey all construction signage and instructions from traffic personnel.

Thank you for your patience as City crews completes this necessary work. 

For more information, contact:Engineering & Public Works - Customer Service604-927-3500epw@coquitlam.ca

Starting October 6, Dewdney Trunk Road between Cawthra Court and Pier Drive will be fully closed (24/7) to all road users, as part of the Metro Vancouver Dewdney Trunk Water Main Project. Please plan an alternate route.

What: Metro Vancouver Dewdney Trunk Water Main Construction 

Where: Dewdney Trunk Road between Cawthra Court and Pier Drive (Location Map)

When: The closure is scheduled to begin Tuesday, October 6 and expected to remain in place for approximately four months. The closure will be in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7). 

Traffic Impacts and What to Expect:

• Dewdney Trunk Road will be fully closed (24/7) between Cawthra Court and Pier Drive for approximately four months.
• Traffic will be detoured via Mariner Way and Barnet Highway.
• Dewdney Trunk Road between Mariner Way and Barnet Highway will be limited to local traffic only. 
• Pedestrians will be detoured via Dolphin Street and Mariner Way.
• Please plan an alternate route to avoid delays or plan extra time.

Driver Safety Reminder:

When traveling through the construction zone, please:

• Drive with extreme caution and follow construction speed limits.
• Keep a close watch for work crews and heavy machinery.
• Obey all construction signage and instructions from traffic personnel.
• 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 “Dewdney Trunk Road Water Main – Mariner Way Section” in the subject line of your email)Website: metrovancouver.org (Search for “Dewdney Trunk Road Water Main – Mariner Way Section” for more information or to sign up for project updates)