Filipino-Canadian Lucas Steele brings youth and sports experience to New Westminster school board race

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 09, 2026

Photo Courtesy: electsteeletrustee/IG

Filipino-Canadian Lucas Steele is bringing his experience in sports, coaching and youth leadership into the New Westminster school board race, running as a trustee candidate under the New Westminster Progressives in the October 17, 2026 local election.

A lifelong New Westminster resident, Steele is a graduate of New Westminster Secondary School and lives in the Massey Heights neighbourhood. His campaign is centered on bringing a younger perspective to the city’s school board and addressing issues affecting students and classrooms.

Steele’s background is closely connected to student athletics. He is a Team Canada powerlifter and founded the NWSS Lifting Club, giving students opportunities to participate in strength training and organized athletics.

He has also worked as a coach with the New Westminster Hyacks football program and the New Westminster Royals hockey team, experiences that have placed him in direct contact with young athletes and students.

His campaign priorities include addressing classroom overcrowding, expanding student supports and improving access to educational assessments. He is also calling for schools to have the resources needed to provide students with stronger academic and extracurricular opportunities.

Another focus of his platform is building inclusive, well-resourced schools, with greater support for programs beyond the classroom. His campaign highlights extracurricular activities as an important part of student development and school life.

Steele is running as part of the New Westminster Progressives team, which is fielding candidates for local government and school board positions. His campaign combines his experience as a former student, athlete and coach with his interest in education and youth development.

The New Westminster school board election is part of British Columbia’s 2026 general local elections, with voters set to choose representatives for School District 40 on October 17, 2026.

For Steele, the campaign brings together his roots in New Westminster, his Filipino-Canadian identity and his experience working with young people, with a platform focused on student support, classroom capacity, educational assessments and extracurricular opportunities.