Get to know the people looking to earn your vote in the upcoming municipal election.

https://www.tricitynews.com/local-news/tc-votes-2022-meet-the-coquitlam-school-trustee-candidates-5909933

Geoffrey Way is a Coquitlam school trustee candidate in the 2022 civic election for SD43’s board of education. By Submitted

Why are you running for public office?

“I’m simply a Coquitlam concerned parent who wants the best education possible for my children and, by extension, everyone else’s children as well. I’m a non-partisan dad who isn’t affiliated with any political party, locally or nationally.”

What’s your No. 1 issue and why? 

“There is a disconnect between the education policy in SD43 and the parents in the community it is supposed to serve. I want to help bring in more parental involvement so the school district more appropriately reflects the values of our community. As a parent with children in our school system, I want to help develop a rich educational landscape for the benefit of all students in our community.”

Daniel Westley is a Coquitlam school trustee candidate in the 2022 civic election for SD43’s board of education. By Submitted

Why are you running for public office?

“I am running for public office as a continuation of my desire to give back to the community.”  

What’s your No. 1 issue and why?

“The number one issue that I feel is important is that the community needs to reflect its unique values within the school system. Coquitlam has a diverse ethnic base. When these families share their cultural richness, everyone benefits. As a school trustee I would like to create an opportunity to provide a platform for all of the parents to be part of their children’s learning experience.”

Belinda Wheatley is a Coquitlam school trustee candidate in the 2022 civic election for SD43’s board of education. By Submitted

  • Age: 61 
  • Years as a Coquitlam resident: 26 
  • Occupation: Montessori teacher. Early childhood educator. Special needs educator (SEA in the public school system). Holistic nutritionist.
  • Most recent civic/volunteer work: Barnabas Family Camp volunteer gardener, Tarahumara Mexico Indigenous Camp, volunteer teacher, Schools for Africa Project, fund raised to renovate a school and provide supplies, volunteer soccer coach, The Virtues Project, teacher, Sparks leader.
  • Website: parentsvoicebc.ca/belindawheatley
  • Email: belindawheatley@parentsvoicebc.ca
  • Phone: 778-858-9347

Why are you running for public office?

“As a teacher, I am very concerned about the direction that public schools are taking and the effects it is having on our children. I would like to see more transparency, openness and accountability to create honest classrooms and parents involvement with decision making in the schools. Parents are the primary educators of their children and deserve respect and involvement. I believe all cultures in our community should be represented in our schools to create unity in our diversity. As an immigrant from South Africa (28 years ago), I know the importance of this. I would like to see every cultural group being recognized and celebrated equally in the schools.”

What’s your No. 1 issue and why?

“We need change. Why are so many parents pulling their children out of public schools to homeschool and why are independent schools full to capacity and overflowing? We need to take a serious look into this. There are some big issues that need to be changed. Remember your tax dollars pay for the schools and staff and yet we are not serving the very people who are financing the schools. Power needs to be given back to parents — they need a voice. Why do we not have the best schools in the world? We are not even ranked in the top 10. Why?”