Pitt Meadows
In the 12 years that my family has lived here, it has been an incredible place to raise my son, and to take full advantage of all of its natural beauty, fast growing business environment, abundant services and activities - all with a small-town feel that we've all come to love.
I'm running for Council because I believe my skills and my experience can help build an even better future for our city.
I want Pitt Meadows to be a place where families choose to put down roots and enjoy safe neighbourhoods, where local businesses can succeed, and where agriculture continues to thrive. We can grow thoughtfully while preserving the character that makes our city unique, building strong community connections, and reinforcing the importance of responsible local government.
My Priorities
Safe Streets.
Safe Neighbourhoods.
Safe Families.
Every resident of Pitt Meadows deserves to feel safe—whether walking to school, cycling on our trails, boating on our waterways, or calling 9-1-1 in an emergency.
My volunteer experience with the RCMP Community Policing Unit and Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue has provided me with direct experience and training in emergency preparedness and response, while allowing me to learn about the challenges that our first-responders face. Additionally, my membership on the City of Pitt Meadows Active Transportation Advisory Committee was a valuable opportunity to provide feedback and learn about improvements to our municipal transportation network, ensuring it’s safer to walk and pedal around our community.
As a member of the City Council, I will support:
- Ensuring our police, fire, and emergency services are fully resourced and ready to respond.
- Creating safe streets and intersections.
- Developing fully connected walking and cycling networks.
- Promoting emergency preparedness and resilience.
- Restraining CPKC's development plans for Pitt Meadows.
- Advancing the City's engagement around a grade-separated rail option at Harris Road.
- Re-engaging the Active Transportation Advisory Committee.
- Fostering crime prevention through community engagement.
Agricultural Sustainability
Our agricultural land and farmers are a defining quality of Pitt Meadows. My work with clients in the agricultural sector has given me first-hand knowledge of and experience with the many challenges that are faced by those responsible for the region's food supply. Water availability, environmental threats, access to capital and encroachment on the Agricultural Land Reserve are just a few of the issues that the municipality has the responsibility to assist with.
I will work to protect our farmland, our farmers and our agriculture sector to ensure that this remains a vibrant part of the Pitt Meadows community and culture.
Fiscal Responsibility, Sustainable Economic Development
Sustainable growth should protect what makes Pitt Meadows special while ensuring we have the infrastructure and services residents need. Every tax dollar belongs to the people of Pitt Meadows. Council must make thoughtful financial decisions and investments that create lasting and sustainable value.
Attracting business activity and investment to Pitt Meadows is a priority that I will work to enhance. My contributions to the Economic Development Advisory Committee has provided the City with advice and feedback on initiatives to increase our economic 'footprint' in British Columbia, and several great initiatives are underway.
More is needed. Supporting local business, ensuring access to the services and products that our residents need, and building a healthy non-residential tax base are all priorities that I will focus on.
People First
My number one goal in my work and volunteer activities has always been to strengthening communities. As Councillor, I will always support the organizations, volunteers and events that connect our residents, and make Pitt Meadows a vibrant place where our children can grow, where our seniors remain connected, and where all of our residents can thrive.
Healthy communities begin with strong families. I will work to ensure that Pitt Meadows remains one of the best places in British Columbia to raise a family.
Likewise, young people deserve opportunities to lead, volunteer, learn, and build lifelong connections in their community. My son Joshua has thrived in community groups including the Youth Ambassador program and in Scouts. I will work to create more opportunities for recreation, outdoor activities, leadership development, and civic participation.
About Cyrus
Building Communities Has Always Been My Passion
I’ve spent my career helping organizations, communities, and teams thrive - focused on strategy development, good governance, organizational transformation, and engagement. My approach is grounded in purpose‑driven leadership, transparent communication, and a belief that strong communities are built through collaboration and shared values.
Experience Matters
I have over 25 years of experience leading and advising organizations in business and the non-profit sector, helping them to:
- Develop long-term strategies
- Manage finances responsibly
- Build partnerships
- Strengthen governance
- Bring diverse groups together around common goals
You can read more about my work and volunteer background on my LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyrusameli/
Leadership
I spent many years in senior management with publicly traded and private companies with roles in finance, strategy and stakeholder engagement. More recently I have transitioned to a consulting advisor role, helping companies in a variety of industries including aviation, healthcare, mining, and agriculture as well with non-profit and community organizations. I've always focused on helping organizations build strong foundations, develop compelling long-term strategies, and make better decisions.
In addition to an Masters of Business Administration degree, I hold designations for board of director leadership, project management and sustainable development. My board experience spans business, non‑profit, and municipal organizations, including:
- Scouts Canada
- Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue
- Braintrust Canada
Community Commitment
Volunteerism is the lifeblood of healthy communities. My service to community organizations have included several years with our local Scouts Canada Group as well as volunteering with the RCMP Community Policing Unit.
I've also taken on roles with the City of Pitt Meadows itself, including:
- Member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee
- Board Director of the Pitt Meadows Airport Society
- Member of the Active Transportation Advisory Committee
What I Love Most
I grew up in Canada and have lived here in Pitt Meadows for the last 12 years with my wife Sabina and son Joshua. We have benefitted from everything that Pitt Meadows has to offer - great neighbours, a small-town vibe, access to all of the services that we need as a family, and proximity to the most expansive and gorgeous landscapes that the world has to offer. We spend our free time on the bike trails, in the campgrounds, and on the water. What a great place for us to live, work and have fun!
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
I want Pitt Meadows to be a place where families choose to put down roots, local businesses can succeed, agriculture continues to thrive, and residents enjoy safe neighbourhoods, strong community connections, and responsible local government. We have a lot going for us, but we are – as every city does – experiencing growing pains. I'm running for Council because I believe my skills and my experience can help build an even better future for our city.. We can grow thoughtfully while preserving the character that makes our city unique, building strong community connections, and reinforcing the importance of responsible local government.
I have over 25 years of experience leading both business and non-profit organizations, developing expertise in strategy, finance, governance and community engagement. I am constantly working to develop and increase my skills, and in the last 10 years have have earned an MBA, and designations in areas of governance (ICD.D), project management (CAPM) and sustainability/ESG (GCB.D), as well as taken courses in indigenous peoples relations and government engagement.
In business, I have been a board director and senior manager of several publicly traded and privately owned corporations, with roles including Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President, and Corporate Secretary. Over the last ten years, I've transitioned to running my own business advisory consulting practice, supporting organizations in a wide variety of industries in corporate governance, strategic planning and execution, financial stewardship, and communications.
Community development has always been my passion, and I have taken on roles with a number of community oriented organizations and committees, including:
- 2023 - present: Scouts Canada (Board Director, Vice Chair Strategic)
- 2024 - present: Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (Board Director, Chair of Finance Committee)
- 2023 - present: 1st Pitt Meadows Scouts Group (Scouter)
- 2023 - present: City of Pitt Meadows, Economic Development Advisory Committee (Member)
- 2023 - 2025: City of Pitt Meadows, Active Transportation Advisory Committee (Member)
- 2018 to 2026: RCMP (Member, Crime Prevention Unit, Ridge Meadows Detachment & Member, Community Policing Unit, Pitt Meadows Detachment)
- 2018 - 2025: BrainTrust Canada (Board Director, Chair of Finance & Governance Committees)
- 2021-2024: Pitt Meadows Airport Society (Board Director, Vice President)
All of this provides a strong background in many of the issues that Pitt Meadows City Council deals with on an ongoing basis, and gives me a strong foundation with which to present new ideas and perspectives.
I have attended many public council meetings, both in-person and online. I’ve also presented to council several times in my roles on the City’s Economic Development Advisory Committee and Active Transportation Advisory Committee. I have provided verbal and written feedback on issues being discussed in all these settings, taking advantage of several of the engagement opportunities available to residents of Pitt Meadows.
The process by which Council comes to decisions is a long one, with information coming from several sources included staff briefings, community engagement and resident feedback, and the Councillors’ own experiences. Beyond these inputs, one of the most useful tools at their disposal is to ask questions in order to satisfy themselves that they are making the best decisions they can that serve the city at large. However, much like organizational boards or any other democratic body, the decisions are made as a group, and councillors have to recognize that the majority opinion will prevail.
The City has made great improvements in public safety infrastructure, including the building of our new Fire Hall and Police Detachment. These basic services need to consistently be improved so that on our worst day, they are ready to protect and help us. New models of service that are within the City's purview must also be considered to reduce our reliance on neighbouring communities and reflect the growth and changes in our population and infrastructure.
While nobody wants to pay more taxes, Pitt Meadows must strike the right balance between cost savings and investing in the right areas to ensure that our residents are safe, that response times are minimized and that the right supports are in place for any eventuality.
I have been a part of the volunteer unit of both the Ridge Meadows Detachment and the new Pitt Meadows Detachment, giving me some unique insight into how policing works under both a combined and independent model. I have also analyzed the financial implications of becoming independent versus continuing as a combined entity. It is very clear that the level of service and cost to taxpayers (both in day to day operations and building a new detachment) support the move to become independent.
Further, the way that the City financed the detachment reduced the overall costs significantly, resulting in a state-of-the-art facility that will serve the community well for years to come.
The City of Pitt Meadows, as well as all other levels of government, have a responsibility to help provide the right environment for businesses to be able to thrive in our community.
This of course does not mean getting involved in any business decisions that a company makes, but to make it easier to make those decisions - especially those relevant to making investments in our community.
What businesses fundamentally need most from government is clarity - clarity around issues like regulatory requirements, timelines, and costs. If businesses know what the rules are, when they'll receive decisions, and who they can talk to when issues arise, they're much more likely to invest here. I'd support making the City responsive, transparent, and easy to work with while still protecting the character and values that make Pitt Meadows special.
As a councillor, I would focus on making the City a partner for business. That means faster approvals where possible, better communication with business owners, supporting local events that bring people into our businesses, and continuing to strengthen partnerships with the Chamber of Commerce. Every dollar spent at a local business stays in our community and helps support the services residents rely on.
The biggest threat to the health and safety of our community is continued rail development through the City. The at-grade crossing at Harris is a clear and present danger for all those that travel the corridor by car, bike or on foot. Increasing rail traffic, not to mention the planned addition of a third set of tracks across Harris, will make that area more dangerous and inconvenient.
CPKC's plan for the expansion of their intermodal yard in the western portion of Pitt Meadows will introduce more traffic (rail and truck), pollution, vibration, and risks for a major disaster due to fire or explosion of the substances and materials stored there.
The City has taken steps to address each of these issues, with talks ongoing with respect to the financing and building of a grade-separated solution for Harris, and firm opposition to the expansion of CPKC operations in Pitt Meadows. I will continually advocate for grade separation and a halt to their expansion, bringing my experience in strategy and business to help fight for what our residents deserve - an environment free of the heavy pollution and dangers posed by CPKC in our community.
Absolutely. Pitt Meadows is defined by its rivers, farmland, parks, and natural beauty. Protecting those assets isn't just an environmental issue—it's part of protecting what makes our community special. As a councillor, I would support practical, evidence-based initiatives that improve resilience, protect our environment, and deliver good value for taxpayers.
Our city is directly affected by climate-related risks, particularly flooding and extreme weather. Our municipality can take action to make sure that infrastructure, dikes, drainage systems, parks, and emergency preparedness are ready for the future. We need to do our part in preserving our natural environment: supporting active transportation, and improving energy efficiency in City operations.
I don't think municipalities should be distracted by symbolic gestures. Our focus should be on practical solutions that strengthen our community while being responsible with public dollars. Every measure taken should be practical, measurable, and focused on local results. True sustainability isn't just about reducing emissions—it's also about making our community more resilient and protecting homes, businesses, and farmland.
Rising costs are a difficult reality for everyone, and every city. Nobody wants to pay more taxes, but it is an unfortunate reality that they will rise with inflationary pressures and any projects that the City undertakes. It is the responsibility of City Council to decide which services to fund and City Staff to provide them as efficiently as possible. The City has to approach this dilemma from the perspective of sustainability – making investments in the right places to ensure that our services enshrine public safety, economic wellbeing and cultural identity.
Safety. This is an amalgam of many of the services that are provided by municipal government, and includes everything from well-maintained infrastructure, well planned vehicular and active transportation routes, police and fire services, emergency management, flood protection as well as effective bylaw enforcement. Every resident of Pitt Meadows deserves to feel safe and secure living and working here.
I have read many of the documents that the City of Pitt Meadows has published including the OCP, Strategic Plan, Financial Plan (which includes detail on its asset management plan), as well as other timely reports such as the North Lougheed Area Plan (and SmartCentres’ proposal). I believe in being as well-informed as I can be to accept the trust of the residents of Pitt Meadows in taking on the councillor role.
Our City, like all others, must find ways of spending within our means, whether by managing expenses or levying taxes to match. My approach is to explore what spending decision priorities support overall sustainability, focussing on areas of public safety, economic wellbeing, agriculture / food security and cultural identity.
The identification and mitigation of risks is likewise one of Council’s most important functions. The services that we provide, whether directly to residents or indirectly in the form of infrastructure development and maintenance, security etc. are key offsets to areas of risk in our community and must be managed carefully. We cannot be all things to all people, but we can develop as a City in a way that is truly sustainable by investing in areas that provide the most benefit.
Cutting taxes comes at a cost to taxpayers, and while any waste or excess should be cut, the services that support the residents of Pitt Meadows must be maintained effectively and sustainably. The only way to cut taxes without impacting service levels is to dip into reserve funds, which impairs the ability of the City to plan for future infrastructure needs and respond to emergencies.
I do not propose cutting taxes for its own sake, but instead will work to provide residents with absolutely the best value for the money that they are investing in the city where they live.
I love learning about and training on new things. While I bring a great deal of governance and organizational leadership experience to the role, I recognize that there are key differences in the ways that local government works. The City of Pitt Meadows is planning a comprehensive onboarding process for any new Councillors that are elected. In addition, there are several courses and professional development opportunities available on municipal governance in general as well as more specific issues to Pitt Meadows that I am eager to take on.
My experience on a variety of corporate and non-profit boards, as well as in varied leadership roles throughout my career, has taught me to embrace diversity of opinion. Differing experiences and backgrounds lead to differing opinions, and this is a good thing when discussing important issues. In fact, many boards that I am on purposefully appoint a ‘Devil’s Advocate’ for the meeting to harness the value of good debate and to avoid group-think. So long as all participants maintain a professional approach to debate, it is ultimately healthy and leads to better decision making.
I hope to help build a stronger, more connected Pitt Meadows. A community where families thrive, businesses succeed, and residents feel confident about the future.
During my term, I want to focus on the fundamentals that make a community great: safer neighbourhoods, responsible infrastructure investment, meaningful opportunities for youth, support for local businesses, and thoughtful growth that protects the character of Pitt Meadows.
I also want to strengthen the relationship between City Hall and the community, including with Katzie First Nation. All residents should feel heard, involved, and confident that decisions are being made with both today’s needs and future generations in mind.
At the end of my term, I want people to say that Pitt Meadows is an even better place to live, work, raise a family, and call home.
- Vote!
- Volunteer!
- Donate!
- Tell your friends!
Please Donate
Campaigns, like everything else, require an investment to be successful.
The Province of British Columbia has regulations to prevent campaigns to be fought purely based on the amount of money they can spend on advertising, paid endorsements and other tactics. There are strict limits on the total amount of money that can be spent, and how much of this can be provided by any one person.
I need your help to make this campaign truly successful. If you share my values and vision for Pitt Meadows, please consider a contribution.
Corporate contributions are not permitted.
Any individual contributions are welcome from $5 to the individual maximum set by Elections BC of $1,429.70. Unfortunately, campaign contributions are not tax-deductible. Contributions above $100 will published in Elections BC's Financial Reports and Political Contributions System (FRPC).
All contributions must be from Canadian citizens and residents of BC, and be accompanied by the contributor's name and residential address.
Please e-transfer your contribution to the following email address and be sure to include your name and residential address in the e-transfer message.
cyrusameli4pm@gmail.com
Volunteer
Putting together a successful campaign is something that can only benefit from the contribution of fellow community members that share my vision for the future of Pitt Meadows. Please contact me at cyrusameli4pm@gmail.com if you are willing to help with activities including:
- Community engagement
- Distributing & installing signs
- Event planning
- Social media outreach
Contact Me
Contact Me
Catch up with me in person
I am eager to meet as many members of the Pitt Meadows community as I can to share what I stand for as a candidate for City Council and answer any questions that you may have.
Please reach out to me to set up a time for a group Q&A session, individual call, or Zoom meeting.
The following are events that I am planning to attend:
Wednesday, July 29 (7pm to 9pm): Summer Serenade at Spirit Square
Sunday, August 9 (10am to 3pm): Pitt Meadows Blueberry Festival at Spirit Square.
Reach out to me by e-mail at:
Cyrus Ameli
Experience • Vision • Purpose
Authorized by Cyrus Ameli, cyrusameli4pm@gmail.com
Copyright © 2026 Cyrus Ameli for Pitt Meadows - All Rights Reserved.
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