NWTU - 2026 Election Power Project

This page is a WORK IN PROGRESS and will slowly grow in the lead up to the October 17th municipal election in New Westminster. It's a summary of the efforts and results of tenants union members organizing to put housing and renters rights on the agenda for the next four years of government.

By October 3rd, this page will include:

• A final "Renters Report Card" grading all candidates and parties as ranked by our membership based on their answers to our survey questions AND background research compiled by our Research Team

For now, you can read our extension documentation below, including each candidate's answers to member's survey questions, which refused to answer, as well as extensive background research on what each party has actually done or said in the last four years of council.

Documentation

Full Candidate Responses to Survey Questions

Responses for all candidates on the survey questions received by the deadline at the end of day on Monday September 28th.

City Council Research

Our research team watched every single city council meeting in the last 4 years in which housing or rental issues are discussed. Their findings are available in this summary presentation or as the full 36-page report they completed.

Candidates and Platform Research

Additionally, the team also combed through candidate's platforms for wherever housing or rental rights are mentioned. They also documented some basic information on each candidate.

Grading Rubric

This is the rubric graders from our membership were asked to use when grading candidate responses at our grading event on Tuesday September 29th.

NWTU Presentation at City Council

This is the speech read by a Tenants Union volunteer at the City Council meeting on Monday September 21st at Queensborough Community Center with about 30 NWTU members in the audience.

The speech was recorded and can be viewed here:

Questions for Candidates

This was the survey sent to each candidate (questions chosen and voted upon by our members at our August 25th, 2026 Public Meeting) that were sent to each candidate on September 14th†. Their answers are what will be graded by members for the report card.

† With the exception of Independent candidate Geoff Homel. Apologies to Geoff Homel. They were sent the questions on September 25th when we became aware of his candidacy.

Project and Team Explanation

Here is a document handed out at our public meetings to explain the purpose of this project: to use the election NOT as a a means to get one party elected or another, but as a vehicle to build renter power.

How Can I Participate?

Right now, you can...

• Register to distribute the final printed report card in your building by either door-knocking, sliding it in mailboxes, leaving it laundry or common rooms, putting it on a billboard, or whatever else you feel comfortable with

To RSVP for the Grading Event or to register to pass out the final report card, just contact us at nwtenantsunion@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail at 778-358-2680.