Episode 80: Donair Machete, Citizen Assembly, May Day, Budget Transparency, Congestion Tax, Richmond CardGate and much more!
In another 60 minute packed podcast, co-hosts Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas talk New West politics. First up to the bat is a discussion on the $110,000 Council committed to make permanent the Citizen Assembly. It was a pilot project that was initially heralded as an opportunity to streamline the city's engagement activities and make them more effective. While the survey says yes, a couple of NWP councillors said no. Find out why.Did you hear about the machete wielding thief who entered the Paradise Donair shop on 12th Street? He scared the living daylights out of the staff and was subsequently arrested and charge by the NWPD. Unfortunately, the judge let him out the next day and told him to 'behave'. What gives? Is this the new normal in New West?May Day has been around for 155 years. It used to receive lots of support from the School Board and City Council, but no more. While other organizations recently cobbled together get tens of thousands of tax dollars, May Day gets a fraction of that to keep the lights on. May Day Committee member Scott Rains let er rip at Council and told them the organization needs to regain its special status within the city. But were the politicians actually listening and willing to act? "Holy micromanagement Batman" said Councillor Nadine Nakagawa in response to a motion asking for more openness and transparency in city budget-making. If approved, it would have meant all projects at the city would have to have a budget and it would be readily available to the public. So why did the motion get voted down? Tolls. Levies. Congestion Pricing. You take your pick. It appears the BC NDP government is about to make driving your vehicle a lot more expensive. Have municipal politicians really convinced Victoria to give them new taxation power to help fund public transportation in Metro Vancouver? And will it really cost you $200 more per year to drive?We also do an event roundup and much, much more! If you like the podcast be sure to tell your friends and family and encourage them to follow. It's available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and all major platforms.
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Episode 79: Exclusive Interview with Danielle Connelly, Communication Enhancements, Climate Tax Survives, Citizens Speak Out, Train Whistle Noise, Candidate Recruitment and much more!
This week's podcast features an exclusive interview with New West school trustee Danielle Connelly. She's talking mental health and advocating for schools to be at the table when the Province of BC undertakes a review of the Mental Health Act. A significant motion passed this week that will change the way city hall communicates regarding major projects/initiatives. You can expect better signage, enhanced communication during both the consultation and construction phase of major projects. Listen to find out more! It was a packed house at New West Council this week as 10 people signed up to exercise their democratic rights. FTR focuses on three of the delegations - one focused on crime and safety in our parks resulting from a video circulating in town of a 'lewd act' taking place at Pier Park. The other two focused on bike lanes on E. 6th Ave and 7th Ave near the 22nd St SkyTrain station. Tired of the incessant train whistle noise in Sapperton? You're not alone. How will our new Member of Parliament fare compared to the last one in getting the federal government to act more boldly when it comes to stopping the train whistles? The NWP is seeking a mayoral candidate by June 30th. They've also announced that anyone seeking a council or trustee endorsement needs to have their paperwork in by September 29th. FTR talks about why the NWP is being 'inundated' with local residents who want to run for a council and trustee spot! FTR looks ahead at some key upcoming events over the next month or so including the Queen's Park Garage Sale, Councillor Cafe - Queensborough Edition and PopUp Council booths. If you enjoy the podcast, be sure to encourage your friends and family to follow us today! It is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify and all major platforms.
In this week's edition of FTR with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas, special guest Liberal MP-elect Jake Sawatzky has an exclusive interview. He speaks about how it felt to win on election night and some of his key priorities in the early days before he's sworn in later this month. You'll want to tune in for this one! Next is a discussion regarding mental health and a motion coming to New West Council later this month. Should Premier David Eby be declaring a mental health emergency in British Columbia? Will Victoria make more investments in mental health beds and drug treatment and recovery beds? Eby's recent announcement of only 10 new mental health beds at the Surrey Pretrial Center hasn't gone over well - with good reason. Listen to an excerpt of an interview CKNW host Jas Johal did on this topic with guest Daniel Fontaine. Just how and when did the infamous burger poll at Burger Heaven get started? FTR sits down with manager Chris Gieb to discuss how the poll got started and the state of local politics in the Royal City.BC Minister of Infrastructure Bowin Ma introduces Bill 15 in the BC legislature and it triggers a firestorm response! She talks about how for every 10,000 new people added to New West, we should be getting 50 new classrooms, 18 new hospital beds and 4000 new homes. But why has she been so silent on how many new community centers, libraries, pools, parks and playgrounds you need as well?Looking to apply to become a candidate with the NWP? The Board of Directors met this week and have announced the dates for which you need to apply for the Mayor, Council and Trustee positions. All this and much, much more! If you enjoy the podcast be sure to let your friends, family and colleagues about us and encourage them to follow. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and all other major platforms.
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Episode 77: Political Prognostication, CAO Retires, Pop Up Office, Councillor Cafe, NWP Candidate Recruitment
It was a busy week in civic politics in New West - which translates into another great For the Record podcast!Starting off the top the discussion focuses on the federal election and some political prognostications. Who will pull it out of the hat on Monday in the New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville riding? Will the NDP's Peter Julian have the opportunity to be in Parliament for a quarter century? Or will upstart Liberal Jake Sawatsky make an upset victory? Could the Conservative's Indy Panchi surprise the pollsters? What about the final tally at the national level?A motion has finally been submitted to removed the USA flag from Queen's Park and replace it with the City of New Westminster flag. But will the motion be defeated due to the fact our local flag is simply 'too colonial'?You're hired! That's what New West City Council will be saying very soon as they undertake a process to hire a new city manager. The current city manager will be retiring early next year and the recruitment process is about to get underway.What is a Pop Up City Council office and why will one be installed on the boardwalk near the Samson V floating museum on Saturday April 26th from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm?The 'independent' governance review of Metro Vancouver is underway and a familiar face was interviewed as part of that process. Will the process yield real change? Why has there been almost no news when it comes to getting answers about the Metro Vancouver Wastewater Treatment Plan cost overruns? What's with all the silence and lack of transparency?Another successful Councillor Cafe was held in Queen's Park last week. It was a full house and there were lots of great comments and questions!What is the NWP doing when it comes to recruiting council and school board candidates for 2026? Is there an update? Who could they be talking to about running for Mayor and council? Tune in to get the inside track!All this and much more in the latest edition of FTR with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas. If you liked the podcast, be sure to follow and encourage your friends and family to do the same. FTR is available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcast.
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Episode 76: Special Federal Election Edition, Burger Heaven Poll Predicts, Infrastructure Investments
Have you voted yet? If you live in New Westminster, the federal advance polls have now opened and the lineups were huge on Day 1. What does a very high voter turnout mean for the incumbent? What about the challengers?It's time to delve into the federal election with a focused discussion on some responses provided at an all-candidates debate in Queensborough this week. All of the candidates were on stage and they were asked to comment about what local issues they're hearing at the doorsteps. There were a few common themes and some rather unique responses too!Is New Westminster getting it's fair share of federal and provincial infrastructure dollars? At least one candidate thinks so. The discussion regarding New West's infrastructure deficit was front and center with our federal politicians.The NWP held one of the largest (and most successful) political fundraisers in New Westminster in a long time. Over 150 people were in attendance for the 3rd Annual Spring Fundraiser at the Taverna Greka. It was a fun and boisterous event with some attendees asking for more!! Find out what this fundraiser might mean for the upcoming civic election in 2026.The infamous Burger Heaven 'bunofficial' poll is definitely producing some very interesting results. In the almost 30 years they have been doing the burger poll, the NDP has always been on top - but not this election.Find out who is leading in that poll - and by a large margin! Is this yet another sign of things to come on April 28th? After 21 years, will New West be getting a new Member of Parliament - and if so, who will that be? CBC Radio aired a story on the Burger Heaven poll and it's featured in the podcast.If you enjoy listening to FTR, be sure to tell your family and friends to follow. It's available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
About For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas
Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas are City Councillors in New Westminster. They regularly explore a range of topics of interest to urbanistas! They bring guests in studio from all sides of the political spectrum and aren't afraid to take on some of the most challenging issues facing our cities. Crumbling infrastructure, taxes, homelessness, traffic, urban sprawl - you name it - you'll hear about it on For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas.
Listen to For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas, The Tristan Snell Show and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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