Jami Watson for Port Coquitlam City Council  -  2022 Municipal Elections
Channel: tricitiestv
Date: 2022-09-29

Jami Watson talks to Nancy Furness (We’ve Got Issues) about her background and why she decided to run for Port Coquitlam City Council. Jami came to BC from Ontario as a child in order to be mainstreamed into school when she was diagnosed with a hearing disability. She became involved in the community through a school habitat and healing garden at Blakeburn. Jami ran in the 2018 election and feels working with younger people has made 2022 a more positive experience. She dealt with many challenges as a hearing-impaired employee during COVID.

Jami feels there are not enough people with disabilities represented at City Hall and she hopes to help those voices be heard. Jami was on the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Roundtable where people from diverse backgrounds shared thoughts and ideas. COVID made participation challenging and Jami hopes she pursue her ideas of a film contest and cultural event by getting on Council.

Potential for food security and agrotourism exists in Port Coquitlam to support local farmers and protect farmland. Jami says there is a need to reach out to different levels of government.

Jami supports townhalls and greater community engagement and refers to her work on Reconciliation. A memorial bench at Blakeburn Lagoons for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women was support by government and the community as well as some indigenous families. However, Jami was disappointed in the lack of meaningful engagement and the final decision on the project was made behind closed doors.

Jami does not agree with in-camera (closed) meetings. She feels citizens have the right to know what is going on around the Council table. Jami hopes to be the voice for lower income families, single moms and others that are disengaged because they don’t feel they have a voice at the Council table. She supports developments that include opportunities to purchase affordable homes.

Climate change means the City needs to transition which could include using renewable energy solar panels in industrial parks and biofuel plants to power city vehicles. We need to talk about climate actions we can take to avoid climate anxiety in youth. The municipality can play a role by supporting skytrain, densification, walkability, bike lanes, accessibility to fast transit, and buying local. Businesses also have a role to play.