A New Voice for Port Coquitlam: Meet Dehara Thompson

By Janice Lozano

In every generation, certain people step forward not because they seek power, but because they feel called to serve. In Port Coquitlam, one of those voices is emerging through the candidacy of Debara Thompson — a proud half-Filipino community leader, mother, former professional athlete, and longtime advocate whose life has been deeply rooted in service, resilience, and community connection.

As Port Coquitlam continues to grow and evolve, many residents are looking for leadership that is grounded, compassionate, accessible, and reflective of the diverse families who now call the city home. For many, Debara Thompson represents exactly that.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to a Filipina mother from Kawit, Cavite and a South African father, Thompson’s story is one shaped by immigration, sacrifice, culture, and perseverance. Raised in a deeply Filipino household surrounded by titas, cousins, music, food, laughter, and the spirit of bayanihan, she learned from an early age that community is not simply something you participate in — it is something you actively build and protect.

Those values continue to define her today.

Now raising her own family in Port Coquitlam, Thompson has spent years serving her community through nonprofit leadership, youth mentorship, sports administration, recreation advocacy, coaching, and grassroots community work. Long before entering politics, she was already deeply invested in the wellbeing of families, seniors, youth, and underserved residents throughout the city.

Her decision to run for City Council did not come from political ambition alone. It came from years of witnessing where gaps still exist.

“I looked around and realized there were still many voices missing from the table,” Thompson shared. “Families struggling with affordability. Seniors experiencing isolation. Young people unable to access recreation because of cost. Communities who did not always feel represented at City Hall. I knew I wanted to help change that.”

What makes Thompson’s candidacy resonate so strongly with many residents is not just her platform, but the authenticity behind it.

She speaks openly about the realities of balancing motherhood, career, advocacy, and community leadership. She understands what it means to work hard quietly, consistently, and without recognition — values deeply familiar to many Filipino-Canadian families.

Her campaign focuses heavily on the everyday issues residents face:

• Affordable and attainable housing
• Safer streets and stronger community safety
• Accessible recreation and sports programming
• Support for seniors and young families
• Environmental stewardship and infrastructure
• Fiscal responsibility and accountable leadership

But beyond policy, Thompson is also bringing something increasingly rare in politics: genuine human connection.

She talks about cooking for loved ones, cheering loudly at her children’s games, showing up for neighbours, and building relationships through conversation and community gatherings. Her belief is simple yet powerful: politics should never feel disconnected from real people’s lives.

“Politics is the vehicle,” she says. “Community is the destination.”

For the Filipino community across British Columbia, Thompson’s candidacy also carries deeper significance.

Representation matters.