Media release: October 8, 2026

5 days ago

2 min read

MEDIA RELEASE

Coquitlam Mayoral Candidate Trish Mandewo Signs Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter

Former UBCM President joins growing regional coalition calling for greater transparency and accountability at Metro Vancouver

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Vancouver, B.C. (October 8, 2026) - Coquitlam City Councillor and mayoral candidate Trish Mandewo has signed the Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter, adding her name to a growing group of municipal leaders and mayoral candidates calling for reforms to regional governance.

Mandewo is a two-term Coquitlam councillor and former two-term President of the Union of BC Municipalities.

The Charter was launched earlier this year by Richmond Councillor and mayoral candidate Kash Heed and New Westminster Councillor and mayoral candidate Daniel Fontaine. It establishes five commitments addressing regional compensation, transparency, governance, independent oversight and a review of Metro Vancouver's core services and spending.

Mandewo said her decision to sign reflects the importance of effective regional governance as Metro Vancouver communities continue to grow.

“Coquitlam residents count on Metro Vancouver for the services and infrastructure they use every day. That trust demands rigorous financial oversight, full transparency, and real accountability.

As a Coquitlam City Councillor and past UBCM President, I know regional cooperation works best when taxpayers are at the centre of every decision. I'm proud to add my name to the Charter and my voice to this important conversation"

Heed welcomed Mandewo's decision to join the initiative.

“Trish brings considerable local-government experience and understands the importance of strong governance and accountability. Her decision to sign demonstrates that these principles can bring municipal leaders from different communities and different backgrounds together. Metro Vancouver manages billions of dollars in public assets and expenditures, and residents deserve rigorous oversight of those decisions.”

Fontaine said Mandewo's support adds another experienced municipal voice to the Charter.

“Having a former UBCM President sign the Charter is significant. Trish understands local and regional government from the inside. What began with Kash and me earlier this year has grown into a regional coalition of civic leaders prepared to work together on meaningful reform at Metro Vancouver.”

Growing Regional Coalition

Mandewo joins a geographically and politically diverse group of current mayors and 2026 mayoral candidates who have signed the Charter:

Ken Sim — Mayor of Vancouver
Daniel Fontaine — New Westminster mayoral candidate
Kash Heed — Richmond mayoral candidate
Linda Annis — Surrey mayoral candidate
Mike Starchuk — Surrey mayoral candidate and former B.C. MLA
Dylan Kruger — Delta mayoral candidate
Kirk LaPointe — West Vancouver mayoral candidate
Colleen Hardwick — Vancouver mayoral candidate
Susan Bains — White Rock mayoral candidate
Madhavee Inamdar — Coquitlam mayoral candidate
Heymann Yip — Burnaby mayoral candidate

The Charter calls for reforms involving Metro Vancouver compensation, independent scrutiny of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, regional governance reform, independent local-government oversight and an independent review of Metro Vancouver's core services and spending.

The Charter remains open to mayoral candidates throughout Metro Vancouver who wish to endorse its five commitments.