As a computer scientist by trade, I am keenly aware of the importance of innovation and economic development. I make a special effort to connect with the businesses in our community that are engineering tomorrow’s technology.

In August 2017, I toured Port Coquitlam based company, Finger Food with the Minister of Science, Innovation and Economic Development. Months later, Finger Food became one of the founding members of the Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster, an initiative the federal government co-funded, which aims to promote and encourage technological advancements, and economic growth.

Since being your Member of Parliament, our government has worked hard to build our economy and community by investing:

• $24,000 in CanEx funding to enable a Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam business to expand internationally.
• $55.8 million to upgrade the existing Westwood Street and Kingsway Avenue rail crossings; design work to raise Pitt River Road and Colony Farm Road; improve  the existing Canadian Pacific railway overpass at Mountain Highway; and add nearly 5km of track at the Canadian Pacific Facility and reconstruct Harris Road  (National Trade Corridors Fund).
• $1.4 billion to BC-led Digital Technology Supercluster, which projects creating over 50,000 jobs and $15 million incremental GDP growth.
• $1.4 billion (in partnership with the Government of BC and Translink) toward the Skytrain Evergreen Expansion, a project that has led to the creation of 6 new stations and 8,000 well-paying construction jobs.
• $7 million (in partnership with the City of Coquitlam and Pension Fund Realty) toward the Lincoln Station on the Evergreen Line.

As your Member of Parliament, I…

• Co-hosted, with the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce, a Business Roundtable with the Minister of International Trade in March 2018.
• Hold annual pre-budget consultations to ensure that the Minister of Finance knows and understands your priorities.
• Hosted a meeting between the Minister of Transport and the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce in September 2016.
• Regularly visit local businesses, such as Aqua-Guard Spill Response, Western Sky Books, and Santa Rosa Tortilleria (to name just a few!).
• Hosted the Minister of Public Services and Procurement in Port Coquitlam on a tour International Submarine Engineering Ltd. in April 2016.
• Hosted the Parliamentary Secretary to Science to participate in an Innovation & Entrepreneurship Roundtable with Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam residents and businesses in September 2016.