Emphasis on public safety, infrastructure, and core services amid financial pressures.
Coquitlam’s 2025 Budget encompasses a balanced strategy to manage growth and community priorities, amounting to $711 million. It emphasizes public safety, infrastructure renewal, and vital municipal services while attempting to alleviate financial pressures on residents.
The budget includes a property tax increase of 6.83%, equating to an additional $175 annually for the average household, to bolster public safety and core services, alongside a 1% allocation for infrastructure renewal. Utilities will see a $126 annual increase, driven largely by projects like Metro Vancouver’s North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, which contributes 10% to the 16% increase in sewer and drainage rates.
Strategic investments in the budget include funding for new RCMP officers, responses to extreme weather, and enhanced no- and low-cost recreation programs.
The budget aims to enhance services and amenities that residents hold dear, keeping public safety at the forefront with funds allocated for four new RCMP officers and a Community Safety Advisor, in addition to the costs for 10 firefighters and nine RCMP officers approved in 2024.
The city is also focusing on accessibility and affordability through expanded recreation programs and cultural contributions to organizations like the Coquitlam Public Library and Evergreen Cultural Centre.
To support a burgeoning population, $234 million is earmarked for capital projects like the Northeast Community Centre and infrastructure improvements to roads, water, and sewer systems. These projects promote current requirements and future sustainability, incorporating investments in energy-efficient infrastructure and electric vehicles in line with the city’s sustainability goals.
Coquitlam’s budget balances immediate community needs with a long-term vision for a safe, vibrant, and sustainable community. It considers rising costs, legislative shifts, regional infrastructure pressures, and the demands of a growing population.
Provincial mandates have introduced financial and operational challenges, such as the Housing Supply Act and the Homes for People plan. Coquitlam’s strategy includes reallocating resources, utilizing reserves like the Development Stabilization Reserve, and finding efficiencies to mitigate financial impacts without sacrificing service delivery.
Community feedback was pivotal this year, with over 500 residents participating in the budget survey. The majority supported maintaining funding levels across all services, including public safety and transportation, helping shape a budget that balances affordability with essential investments in services and infrastructure.
For further details on the 2025-2029 Financial Plan, visit www.coquitlam.ca/FinancialPlan.