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← New Westminster-Coquitlam

Compare candidates

New Westminster-Coquitlam · British Columbia

4 candidates for 1 seat

Everyone is compared on the same 12 issues, in the same order. Candidates are listed alphabetically, and the order of issues is not a ranking. Each candidate's bio appears at the top, above the issues. How this works.

Bio

Gerry Lenoski

No bio on record. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside Elected — unofficial result

A former labour leader and community advocate, Jennifer Whiteside was elected as the MLA for New Westminster in October 2020, and re-elected in 2024. She is the Minister of Labour and previously served as the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Minister of Education and Child Care. She was born and raised in New Westminster.

Maureen Curran

Maureen Curran is a scientist, educator, mother, and longtime community advocate. She has spent nearly three decades working in British Columbia's public education system, including 25 years teaching Science and Mathematics in Coquitlam.

Michele Lau

Michele Lau is a financial services executive and entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in banking, corporate finance, and private business leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of British Columbia and an Executive MBA from Simon Fraser University.

Healthcare

Will there be a doctor, a hospital, and care when we need it?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Has fought for better public healthcare and for people being treated fairly.

  • Has dedicated her career to fighting for the rights of working people.
  • Has fought for better public healthcare and making sure people are treated fairly.
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“She has fought for better public healthcare and making sure people are treated fairly -- including leading BC's first living wage campaign.”

Source: Jennifer Whiteside and David Eby's BC NDP team — campaign site (jenniferwhiteside.bcndp.ca)

Confidence:High

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Let's bring back health care people in New Westminster-Coquitlam can count on.

  • Says: I know we can do better.
  • Calls for bringing back health care people can count on.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“I know we can do better; let's bring back health care we can count on, schools that aren't overcrowded and an economy that works for everyone.”

Source: VoteMate — 2026 BC Provincial Election: reason for running (submitted by the candidate or their team)

Confidence:High

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Committed to repealing the HPOA and replacing it with legislation, built with the professions and the public, that keeps politics out of health care.

  • Asked by the HPOA candidate questionnaire (Psychologists of BC for Ethical Care and Governance): "Will you commit to repealing the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) and replacing it with legislation, built with the professions and the public, that keeps politics out of health care?"
  • Answer: Yes — commits to repeal and replace the HPOA.
  • Would work with the professions to keep their oversight independent and free from political interference.
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“Yes. We support repealing the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA) and working with the professions to keep their oversight independent and free from political interference.”

Source: Psychologists of BC for Ethical Care and Governance — 2026 candidate questionnaire (HPOA) · October 11, 2026

Confidence:High

Housing

Will I be able to afford to live here?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Cost of living

Can I afford groceries, hydro and insurance?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Paying rent shouldn't mean being unable to afford groceries or medicine.

  • Says the party has concrete plans to improve affordability.
  • Paying rent shouldn't mean being unable to afford to buy groceries or medicine.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“Paying rent shouldn't mean being unable to afford to buy groceries or medicine.”

Source: VoteMate — 2026 BC Provincial Election: reason for running (submitted by the candidate or their team)

Confidence:High

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Economy & jobs

Will BC's economy create good jobs where I live?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Led BC's first living wage campaign as part of fighting for working people.

  • Has dedicated her career to fighting for the rights of working people.
  • Includes leading BC's first living wage campaign.
Show their words & source (a few sentences)
“She has fought for better public healthcare and making sure people are treated fairly -- including leading BC's first living wage campaign.”

Source: Jennifer Whiteside and David Eby's BC NDP team — campaign site (jenniferwhiteside.bcndp.ca)

Confidence:High

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Wants an economy that works for everyone, putting small businesses first.

  • Calls for an economy that works for everyone.
  • Says the party puts small businesses first and it's past time to level the playing field.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“I know we can do better; let's bring back health care we can count on, schools that aren't overcrowded and an economy that works for everyone.”

Source: VoteMate — 2026 BC Provincial Election: reason for running (submitted by the candidate or their team)

Confidence:High

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Education

Will my kids' schools be properly funded?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Schools should not be overcrowded.

  • Says: I know we can do better.
  • Calls for schools that aren't overcrowded.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“I know we can do better; let's bring back health care we can count on, schools that aren't overcrowded and an economy that works for everyone.”

Source: VoteMate — 2026 BC Provincial Election: reason for running (submitted by the candidate or their team)

Confidence:High

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Environment & climate

Is the province protecting forests, water and climate?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Economic goals should not risk kids' healthy and safe future; guarantee clean air and water.

  • Says economic goals should not come at the cost of risking a healthy and safe future for kids.
  • Calls for guaranteed clean air and water.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“And our economic goals should not come at the cost of risking a healthy and safe future for our kids, with guaranteed clean air and water.”

Source: VoteMate — 2026 BC Provincial Election: reason for running (submitted by the candidate or their team)

Confidence:High

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Public safety

Will repeat offenders stay off my street?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Transportation

Will the highways, ferries and transit keep up?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Mental health & addictions

How will the province handle the toxic-drug crisis?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Seniors & long-term care

Can seniors age with dignity in BC?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Seniors who gave their best to their communities should know they will be cared for, not abandoned.

  • Seniors who have given their best to their communities for generations should know they will be cared for.
  • Says they should not be abandoned.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“Seniors who have given their best to their communities for generations should know they will be cared for, not abandoned.”

Source: VoteMate — 2026 BC Provincial Election: reason for running (submitted by the candidate or their team)

Confidence:High

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Indigenous relations

How will the province work with Indigenous peoples?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Government & taxes

Is the province spending my money wisely?

Gerry Lenoski UnaffiliatedWithdrawn

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Jennifer Whiteside BC NDPElected — unofficial result

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

Maureen Curran BC Green Party

No website or social media listed

Bringing back reliable health care and services should not mean more taxes or bigger debt.

  • Says the party has concrete plans to improve affordability.
  • Says bringing back reliable health care and other services must not mean more taxes or bigger debt.
Show their words & source (several paragraphs)
“We have concrete plans to improve affordability and to make sure that bringing back reliable health care and other services does not mean more taxes or bigger debt.”

Source: VoteMate — 2026 BC Provincial Election: reason for running (submitted by the candidate or their team)

Confidence:High

Michele Lau Conservative Party

No website or social media listed

Not reviewed yet. Know something?

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