Integrity. Commitment. Community.
Samantha Agtarap (she/her) is running for re-election to the Port Moody City Council. A professional engineer and local small business owner, Sam has supported Port Moody and other cities to become more sustainable, resilient and business friendly, while retaining and enhancing livability. Sam also has an appreciation for the natural beauty and unique qualities of this incredible city, which she established over twenty years spent raising her family and building community here. As a small business owner, Samantha understands the importance of supporting local businesses and creating a place where they are supported to thrive through change and challenge. Over the last four years, Sam has proven her commitment to build a resilient city where residents thrive, regardless of income or stage of life. Samantha is ready to serve Port Moody residents once again.
VISION
Samantha envisions Port Moody as community that connects us – through its neighbourhoods, an active transportation network, parks and green spaces, and aligned community priorities and programs. A city where our valuable resources are focused on where we can have the greatest impact on community health, collective prosperity and connection.
She sees Port Moody growing into this vision while still knowing her neighbours and the names of shop owners and workers. Where her kids can walk into any space – library, shop or art studio – and be known by the people there and welcome in new people and visitors.
People + Planet. This is community. This is home.
RECORD
Samantha has set a standard for how politics can work: evidence-based, and focused on solutions. She’s spoken up on complex issues and pushed for creative, “outside the box” solutions to revenue constraints that Port Moody faces, including sustained advocacy for equitable gaming revenue sharing, fair port taxation, and land value taxation/split assessments.
Sam has worked to explain the “why” behind city decisions, including the budgets and financial quirks that often feel likea black box, while keeping environmental protection and keeping affordability front and centre.
There is more work to do. She will continue to make decisions with an evidence-based approach and clear priorities to make our city better for everyone.
KEY PRIORITIES
Port Moody deserves leaders who are rational, civil and curious; who are problem-solvers and creative thinkers. Leaders who ask “How can we make this better?” and “How can we work together?”.
My priorities for next term are a continuation of the work and include:
An accessible city, connected to nature and public outdoor spaces, with a thriving local economy, with space for arts and artists, a place for families and seniors to call home, and preparing for the future.
Join Samantha in her campaign to make Port Moody even better.
Whether that is a small donation, going door-knocking or hosting a get-together with your neighbours, every action helps.
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Monthly Update – May 2026
Dear neighbours, May is already over, and we’ve now seen numerous official candidate announcements. I’m getting things in order and will officially kick things off with some kind of event (sometime in late June/early July). I’ve been keeping busy with Council things - UBCM resolutions, regular work, the Task Force on Public and Social Media Communication Guidelines for Elected Officials and Candidates, etc., and my other job. I enjoy the work of the City and Council. I find it interesting and...
Monthly Update – April 2026
Hey neighbours, Lots to talk about this last month: I completed the second part of Port Moody’s Housing Debate, Part 2: What are we building and for whom? of the housing discussion, we had our second Mayor’s Task Force meeting, the Soroptimist Give Her Wings annual gala, volunteer appreciation BBQ and Metro Vancouver meetings, Port Moody Junior Firefighter Program Wrap-Up, BC Federation of Labour Climate 2050 reception, plus many things I didn’t make it to (too many things, too little time)....
Monthly Update – March 2026
Hello folks, March was a bit slower in terms of meetings; for the first time, we did not have Council meetings over spring break, but committees and other work continued. We also celebrated breaking ground for the Inlet Fieldhouse - a very exciting project for our city, which will bring much-needed change rooms, storage, office and community space at Inlet Park/Favelle Field. Port Moody City Council, the Province of B.C., and the Rotary Club of Port Moody broke ground to mark the start of...
Tax Rates Over Time
This is a long post. This conversation about property taxation is nuanced. Short and snappy explanations would do the topic and readers a disservice. Overview This post is going to talk about: Budgeting principles and process, How rates have changed and what they mean, What makes a historic budget, and My perspective on how and why we collect taxes. The Budget It’s time to talk about money and budgets! It’s not ‘fun’ nor ‘glamorous,’ but it is a necessary conversation – one that is inevitable....
Port Moody’s Housing Debate: What the Data Tells Us
This has been updated to include Part 2 (written on April 14, 2026). Part 1 was originally published on March 8, 2026. Part 1: Housing and Affordability in Port Moody and Our Region In 2025, Metro Vancouver released three major (and related) reports that showed the state of housing in our region and how it relates to affordability. Together, these reports tell a clear story of where we are and where we need to go. You can read these reports here: Regional Housing Needs Report, February 2025...
City Finance Questions
Introduction This is a compilation of questions I have received regarding city finances and taxation. This post is periodically updated as I receive questions. I’ve also written about related financial topics here: Budget Consultation Ideas: What’s possible, what’s not and why Cities with Casinos Pay Less: Why this is a problem for everyone else List of questions asked: Q1: Do we get revenue from Skytrain, Metro pump stations, etc.? Q2: Does density increase tax revenue? If you have questions...
Let's stay in touch
Questions for me? Or interested in hosting a small get-together and chatting about the future of Port Moody? Send me a note.