For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

🎙️ For the Record - Special Midweek Edition
Johnstone Announces Mayoral Run - A Closer Look at the Record
This week’s episode of For the Record drops on a special Wednesday release, following Mayor Patrick Johnstone’s official announcement that he'll be seeking another term as mayor of New Westminster. NO APRIL FOOL's!
Co-hosted by Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas, the episode takes a closer look at what that announcement means - and what voters may want to consider as the city heads toward the October 17th civic election.
🗳️ 12 Years In… Asking for 16
The podcast opens with discussion around Johnstone’s time in office - 12 years on council - and his decision to seek another four-year term to continue advancing his ideology and agenda.
The hosts ask a central question:
What remains to be accomplished after more than a decade in office - and is a new direction worth considering?
💸 Taxes, Spending & Affordability
A major focus of the episode is affordability, including:
30%+ property tax increases over this current term in office alone!
Spending priorities that many residents are questioning
Whether current financial decisions align with the pressures facing households today
🚲 Priorities at City Hall
The discussion also explores broader priorities, including:
Heavy investments in bike lane infrastructure versus basic core services
High-profile spending decisions such as the $500,000 “mushroom wall” in Queen's Park
Ongoing concerns about aging infrastructure and service delivery
🏛️ Leadership & Accountability
Fontaine and Minhas also examine:
Questions around public consultation and responsiveness
The decision to support a “Sue Big Oil” initiative and related costs
Past controversies, including the business class all expenses paid Dubai trip and Ethics Commissioner findings
🏙️ Growth, Development & Regional Role
The episode also touches on:
Major development approvals, including Columbia Square
The city’s role at Metro Vancouver and whether stronger advocacy is needed
The long-term impact of growth on infrastructure and livability
⏳ Looking Ahead to the Election
As the campaign season begins to take shape, the hosts frame the conversation around choice - encouraging listeners to reflect on the past, assess current priorities, and consider what direction they want for New Westminster moving forward. A choice of status quo - or positive change to make progress in our city.
🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
📣 This is shaping up to be a pivotal election - and the conversation is just getting started.

This week’s podcast features a new voice stepping in behind the mic - and a candidate worth getting to know.
New West Progressives school trustee candidate Lucas Steele joins Councillor Paul Minhas as guest host, sharing his story, his priorities, and why he’s running to represent students and families in New Westminster.
Drawing from his own experience at New West Secondary, Steele speaks candidly about the challenges students are still facing today - from feeling unsafe in school spaces, to gaps in mental health support, to the need for stronger communication and trust between parents and the school board.
He also tackles some of the bigger systemic issues:
• The impact of provincial funding decisions on local classrooms
• The importance of supporting teachers and staff
• The need for greater transparency and accountability in how decisions are made
At its core, Steele’s message is clear: students need to feel safe, supported, and heard - and the system needs to be more responsive to the people it serves.
The episode also widens the lens to the broader civic landscape. Political analysts Keith Baldrey and Jas Johal weigh in on why New Westminster is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched races in the region - and why the outcome matters.
Plus, a deeper dive into the growing controversy around the proposed “Tiny Town” site in the West End, including new concerns raised about its proximity to active rail lines and what that means for safety.
🎧 It’s a wide-ranging conversation on schools, leadership, and the future of New Westminster.
Take a listen and hear what’s at stake.

🎙️ For the Record – Episode 113
This week on For the Record, Councillor Paul Minhas is joined by special guest host Maryann Morrison, who sits in for Daniel Fontaine while he takes the week off from the podcast.
The episode begins with a preview of the topics ahead before turning to the latest NW City Matters forum in Sapperton, which drew a large and engaged crowd. Residents raised a wide range of concerns, including train whistle cessation, slow building permit timelines, parking shortages, and the double bike lanes near Royal Columbian Hospital.
The strong turnout at the community forum was contrasted with a much smaller audience - described as only a 'handful of people' - who attended a keynote presentation by the mayor to the Downtown Residents Association at the same time.
Next, the podcast features a Global News segment highlighting how the City of North Vancouver and District of North Vancouver mayors are now calling for a public inquiry into the North Shore wastewater treatment plant financial debacle and broader governance reform at Metro Vancouver. Minhas and Morrison note how much of the language being used mirrors arguments that Councillor Daniel Fontaine has been raising for years.
Another major topic is the controversial “Tiny Town” supportive housing project. The hosts discuss concerns raised by residents about the lack of advance notification, consultation, and the lack of a Good Neighbour Agreement prior to the project being announced for New Westminster. They also discuss how the issue of a lack of consultation could become a major topic in the upcoming civic election campaign taking place on October 17th.
Housing policy also takes centre stage as the podcast examines proposed infill housing rezonings scheduled for a public hearing later this spring. Hundreds of single-family properties could be affected, with potential zoning changes allowing up to six units per lot and buildings up to three storeys in height. The hosts discuss concerns raised in other municipalities, including Burnaby, where similar developments have sparked debate about neighbourhood character.
The episode also revisits the ongoing issue of Queensborough secondary school bus funding, which has still not been confirmed by the provincial Ministry of Education. The podcast features a clip from Don Doyle, a Queensborough resident who has been advocating for the bus service and recently announced he will run for school trustee with the NWP.
🎧 For the Record is available on *Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🎙️ For the Record – Special Victoria Edition
Live from the BC Legislature
This week’s episode of For the Record comes to listeners from a unique setting - the halls of the British Columbia Legislature in Victoria.
Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas record the podcast live inside the historic legislative building, with tours and visitors passing by in the background. The episode opens with reflections on the MLAs and media personalities they met with during their visit, as well as commentary on the significance and history of the legislature itself.
🌉 The Pattullo Bridge: Final Days & Big Debate
The first major topic tackles the community debate surrounding the future of the Pattullo Bridge, originally built in 1939.
The discussion was sparked after Councillor Minhas openly mused about whether the aging bridge could be preserved as a linear park rather than demolished outright. The idea generated strong reactions - some residents arguing the bridge should be torn down immediately to save money, while others supported at least exploring preservation options.
Although the proposed “Party on the Pattullo” never materialized, the conversation highlighted how much the bridge means to many in the community. With demolition likely to begin soon, the hosts agree it's now time to say goodbye to a historic piece of New Westminster’s skyline.
🏛️ Metro Vancouver Reform on AM 730
The episode also features an excerpt from Daniel Fontaine’s appearance on The Jas Johal Show on AM 730, guest-hosted by Robin Gill.
The interview focuses on Metro Vancouver governance, specifically the cost of stipends and honorariums paid to board members and whether meaningful reform is needed to make the regional body more transparent and accountable to taxpayers.
📅 Upcoming Events
The podcast wraps with a look ahead to the next NW City Matters Forum, taking place:
📍 Sapperton Community Hall (Keary Street)
📆 March 4
⏰ 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion. Details — along with information about upcoming fundraisers and events - can be found at nwprogress.ca.
🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🎙️ For the Record – Episode 112
Community Reflection, Budget 2026 & Campaign Momentum
This week on For the Record, Councillors Paul Minhas and Daniel Fontaine return to the studio and share an important programming update: as the October 17 civic election approaches, the podcast will now move to a bi-weekly format, featuring a range of special guest hosts in the months ahead.
🕯️ A Somber Reflection: Tumbler Ridge Tragedy
The episode opens with commentary on the recent Tumbler Ridge shootings in British Columbia. Fontaine reflects on growing up in a small community with a grades 7–12 high school, where everyone knew each other - and how deeply a tragedy like this can affect a tight-knit town.
Both hosts emphasize the importance of mental health supports and acknowledge the profound impact such events have on small communities.
🏘️ NW City Matters: Queensborough Speaks
The latest NW City Matters forum took place in Queensborough, and residents did not hold back.
Key themes raised included:
Open ditches and infrastructure concerns
Property tax pressures
Traffic and transportation challenges
Electricity bills
A lack of amenities such as pools and arenas
A major concern discussed was the future of the Queensborough secondary school bus program, which is set to lose funding on June 30. The hosts note that a previous provincial commitment suggested the program would become permanent and free - something that has not materialized. With no high school planned for Queensborough, families are left with ongoing uncertainty.
💬 Online vs. In-Person Bullying: A Rare Moment of Common Ground
The podcast features two clips from a City Hall chamber discussion on bullying.
Councillor Nadine Nakagawa speaks about her experience attending the Stronger Cities initiative conference and addressing online bullying, while Councillor Fontaine responds by sharing his perspective on in-person bullying.
Despite political differences, the hosts observe that there was notable common ground between the two perspectives.
💰 Budget 2026: The Final Stretch
With Budget 2026 nearing completion, residents have but a few days left in the consultation phase to weigh in.
The hosts discuss how this budget effectively locks in a 30% property tax increase over four years, positioning New Westminster among the highest tax increases in Metro Vancouver during this council term.
They also look ahead:
What might change under a different council majority? And how would an NWP-led government approach affordability differently?
🎓 New Candidate Announcement: Anita Dunn
The episode introduces Anita Dunn, the newest NWP school board candidate.
Dunn, a former Columbia Street retail business owner and trained chartered accountant, recently announced her candidacy in front of supporters. As a parent of a secondary school student, she brings both professional financial expertise and firsthand education experience to the team.
📅 Looking Ahead
The hosts wrap up with a preview of:
Family Day wishes to listeners
An upcoming trip to Victoria (Feb 18–19) to meet with MLAs
An upcoming exclusive interview with Nancy Jickels and Jennifer Mackie, co-chairs of the NWP campaign
A February 17 fundraiser at Judge Begbie’s Tavern ($30 per person, limited tickets remaining)
Listeners are reminded that future NW City Matters events and campaign updates can be found at NWProgress.ca.
🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
📣 As the civic election season continues, now more than ever, local conversations matter.