Tri-Cities Federal Election 2025 Candidate:Lewis Dahlby, Libertarian Party, Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam

Tri-Cities Federal Election 2025 Candidate: Lewis Dahlby, Libertarian Party, Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam

Lewis Dahlby of the Libertarian Party calls for smaller government, economic freedom, and grassroots solutions.

Tri-Cities Community Television met with Lewis Dahlby, Libertarian Party candidate for the riding of Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam, as part of our federal election interview series.

Dahlby brings an unapologetically bold perspective to this election, one grounded in individual liberty, fiscal restraint, and reducing federal overreach. A long-time advocate for the Libertarian Party, Dahlby openly acknowledges the uphill nature of his campaign but remains deeply committed to educating the public on issues he believes are too often overlooked. “When you vote Libertarian,” he said, “you’re sending a signal that you want to reverse the trend of growing government and declining personal freedom.”

Dahlby’s concerns are rooted in what he describes as a runaway federal bureaucracy. He points to Canada’s $1.3 trillion national debt and highlights the exponential growth in government size under the current Liberal administration. He argues that excessive taxation, inefficient bureaucracies, and inflated spending are undermining Canada’s prosperity and eroding personal freedoms in the process.

On housing, Dahlby believes the federal government should step back and let cities lead. He suggests that loosening local zoning restrictions and lowering development taxes would be more effective than federal intervention. He also advocates for innovative low-cost housing solutions, such as shipping container homes, to combat rising homelessness.

His platform centers on decentralization, focusing on returning power and resources to provincial and municipal governments. Dahlby believes this approach would allow local communities to address their needs more directly and reduce their dependency on federal transfers. “We shouldn’t be sending money to Ottawa only to beg for it back,” he said.

While skeptical of Canada’s current climate and trade policies, Dahlby supports targeted tariffs on hostile regimes and champions energy independence. He is critical of foreign oil imports and missed opportunities for pipeline infrastructure, arguing that Canada should harness its natural resources more responsibly and competitively.

In his closing remarks, Dahlby encouraged residents, especially young people, to learn about the principles of liberty and voluntary consent. “Freedom,” he said, “isn’t just a slogan. It’s the foundation of a prosperous and peaceful society.”

Although he admits his chances of winning are slim, Dahlby views his candidacy as a meaningful contribution to public discourse. “Even if I don’t get elected,” he said, “if I can shift the conversation, I’ve done something important.”

The federal election takes place on April 28, 2025. Tri-Cities Community Television encourages all citizens to get informed and vote.