KYLA KNOWLES for Port Moody City Council

A Better Port Moody - for Everyone

I dreamt of living in Port Moody the moment I first saw it, in 1996.  In 2013, I made that dream happen and have been fortunate to live in our beautiful city as a working, single mom with my two daughters since then. What I’ve seen happening at City Hall in the last four years has me deeply concerned. 

Personal and private interests and agendas are being put before what’s best for our City.  Current leadership seems to think that Port Moody can thrive while spending without restraint…yet now we’re facing budget cuts, and residential and business tax increases. Local companies are taking their employees and taxes out of our city to set up shop in friendlier jurisdictions. 

We need to refocus Council and prioritize what matters!

Restore Fiscal Responsibility to Boost Affordability:

• Encourage commercial and industrial business investments and highlight the benefits they bring to our community.
• Rein in Council spending on personal pet projects.
• Eliminate wasteful City spending - minimize residential taxes.
• Review the $500K per year “New Initiatives Fund” reserved for personal Council projects. This could be funding upgraded amenities and infrastructure.
• Prioritize senior housing for our aging population that wish to downsize but stay in Port Moody.

Restore Integrity and Good Governance to City Hall:

• Work with all levels of government (Metro, provincial and federal levels) to repair our tattered reputation, reduce regional congestion, secure support for affordable housing, and fund key capital and infrastructure projects in our community.
• Reduce use of costly external consultants at City Hall.
• Stop micromanaging staff and start listening to our in-house experts.
• Mandate meeting lengths to allow for meaningful resident participation and put a stop to lengthy staff overtime costs.

Affordable Housing:

• We must work harder and with all levels of government to build affordable homes! Affordable housing can and should take the form of townhouses, duplexes, laneway housing, gentle infill, and single lot divisions. It's time to get creative.

Prioritize Climate Change:

• Revitalize and expand smaller, neighbourhood parks – we must diversify beyond Rocky Point Park.
• Concentrate densification around mass/rapid transit - Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
• Incentivize reducing GHG emissions and implement green initiatives at local businesses and City Hall.
• Proposed Update to Environmentally Sensitive Areas Management (ESA) – protect our coastlines while respecting private property rights.

Work Experience:

• 22 years of budgeting and business experience across private, public and not-for profit businesses
• 14 years of governance experience managing Boards and Board Committees - I understand the importance of Good Governance and consensus-building
• Climate Change-certified by Radicle Group Inc. and will seek City Certification - impact and sustainability must be prioritized

Volunteer Work:

• Port Moody Parks and Recreation Commission – member at large
• College Park Community Association – member and volunteer
• Easthill Residents – organizer and founder of community events in the Easthill neighbourhood of Port Moody
• Direct involvement in Port Moody-based Covid-relief projects
• Rotary Club of Port Moody - volunteer at various events
• Founder and Administrator of TCMG Veg’n – a 1100-member Facebook community dedicated to increasing sustainable and plant-based eating in the Tri-Cities
• Long time volunteer for local animal rescue groups including the BCSPCA and the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association

Port Moody has all the ingredients needed to be a friendly, welcoming place for the missing middle, new families looking for a place to raise their kids, young folks starting their careers, and seniors seeking to age in place. 

I ask for your vote on October 15, 2022 to refocus Port Moody on what matters: affordable housing, financial accountability and competent governance. This means redirecting wasted funds to the parks and city services that matter, while keeping your taxes low.

I know what matters to me; please get in touch and tell me what matters to YOU.

Email: KylaKnowlesForPoMoCouncil@gmail.com

Website :  www.KylaKnowles.ca  

Facebook : Kyla Knowles for Port Moody City Councillor

LinkedIn : www.linkedin.com/in/kyla-knowles-b84a601b

Telephone : (778) 846-3039

To Donate : Donate here, visit my website or contact me directly for etransfer info!

About me: Originally raised in Kitimat, BC, I moved to the Lower Mainland in 1994 to attend Simon Fraser University, where I graduated with a Co-operative Education and Joint Major Degree in Political Science, History and French (1999). I have lived in beautiful Port Moody since 2013 and am here to stay. When I'm not dragging my kids out to enjoy local events and nature, I enjoy golf, travelling, and a good Pinot Noir.