Episode 82: We're in Ottawa. What is temporary? Sapperton Noise. Flag Removed. Public Disorder. Is BIA MIA?
In this latest episode of For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas a number of local topics come up for discussion and analysis. This special episode was recorded from Ottawa at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual conference.To start off the podcast, the topic of 'just exactly what is temporary' comes up. When it comes to drug injection sites and homeless shelters, why does temporary mean up to six years? In the case of the downtown drug injection center, they just got a green light to proceed with getting an 18 month extension on their 3 year 'temporary' permit.Was it a heritage revitalization agreement, or simply a rezoning to allow for more density in historic Queen's Park? That was the crux of the debate as a homeowner at 318 6th Ave wanted Council to provide approval to 3rd reading of a Heritage Revitalization By-Law. Not everyone on New West Council thought there was enough revitalization in that revitalization agreement!Beep. Beep. Beep. Bang. Bang. Bang. That's the sound of construction at the new Royal Columbian Hospital. Thanks to a vote of the Community First representatives on Council that may well be the sound local Sapperton residents start hearing at 7 am every Saturday morning. International construction company Ellis Don applied for the exemption to do work early on Saturday mornings - and it was granted.The US flag will be quietly removed from the Queen's Park Arena for the first time in decades. Thanks to a unanimous vote of Council the American flag will be swapped out and replaced with a City of New Westminster flag. Feedback from the public has been overwhelmingly supportive - we explore why. Have a listen to an interview with CBC's On the Coast host Gloria Macarenko and Daniel Fontaine.All this and more in the latest edition of For the Record. If you enjoyed the podcast be sure to encourage your friends and family to follow. It's available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcast.
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Episode 81: 20 Minute Positivity Challenge, Metro Governance, To Audit or Not, $200 Car/Truck Levies?
This podcast is packed with positivity! That's right, the first segment of the podcast is the "20 Minute Positivity Challenge". It's also known as the 'Gary Self-evaluation'. Is there any way to discuss the positive things the NWP has proposed on Council within 20 minutes on a podcast? Will the buzzer sound and will our co-hosts run out of time?A Deloitte report commissioned by Metro Vancouver includes 47 recommendations to improve the governance of the organization. That's more recommendations than there are board directors (41) which is quite astounding. The local media refer to it as a 'damning report'. Let dig a bit deeper and listen to an interview on the Jas Johal Show on AM 730 on this topic. AM 730 host Jill Bennett discusses an open letter written by four city councillors calling upon Premier David Eby to reinstate the Office of the Municipal Auditor General. Why is Victoria so hesitant to make a move? Are they afraid to wear the political mess that is unfolding at Metro Vancouver? Lastly, we talk about congestion pricing and whether a $200 per vehicle charge is close to becoming a reality. Do you want to pay a new 'congestion tax' that would help to fund TransLink? Or should senior orders of government redirect existing funding to this important priority to tackle climate change? All that and more in what we guarantee is an information and analysis-filled podcast! If you liked it be sure to tell family and friends to follow For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas. It is available on Spotify, Apple Podcast and all major platforms.
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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.
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.
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