Episode 99: The Final Countdown, NW City Matters, Uptown Vibe, Letter of the Week
🎙️ For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul MinhasIt’s officially the one-year countdown to the next civic election in New Westminster — and this week’s episode has a great segment on what the next 12 months could bring.✅ 365 Days to Go – With the civic election set for October 17, 2026, Daniel and Paul look ahead to what’s coming. From record tax hikes to “mushroom walls,” rewilded boulevards, and controversial bike lanes, they explore the issues likely to shape the race.✅ Early Declarations – Across Metro Vancouver, politicians are already making moves — from Surrey’s Linda Annis to Coquitlam’s Craig Hodge — as media outlets like CBC, The Tyee, and CityNews spotlight the growing buzz.✅ Introducing: NW City Matters – The New West Progressives (NWP) are launching a new grassroots engagement series featuring town halls, online surveys, and neighbourhood outreach. The goal: gather real community input to shape the 2026 campaign platform.✅ Woodward's Building Update – Residents return to Council over the new bus stop, lost loading zone, and HandyDART access. They’re asking the City to move the stop 50 feet north — and they’re not backing down.✅ Uptown vs Downtown Vibes – The hosts discuss how both areas are faring, the need to revitalize commercial districts, and why New Westminster should be doing more to bring patios and activity back to Uptown.✅ 7th Street Bike Lane Construction – Tempers flare as construction begins. Daniel and Paul urge residents to remember: the workers aren’t to blame — it’s a political decision made by Council.✅ New Segment: Letter of the Week – A fresh addition to the podcast! Each week, a standout letter, email, or text from listeners will be featured to spark debate and dialogue.✅ Upcoming NWP Event – Don’t miss the October 23rd Boathouse Restaurant fundraiser, featuring two newly announced NWP council candidates. Both will join next week’s For the Record for an exclusive sit-down interview.👉 For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.