For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

• Episode 89: Mayoral Announcement, Downtown Crime, E-scooter Injuries, The Record 2.0?, New Minister, Take out the Trash

  🎧 For the Record – Summer Heat, Big Headlines & Political TeasersAfter a two-week break, For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas is back — and packed with everything you’ve missed (and then some). From billion-dollar blunders to e-scooter injuries and a potential NWP mayoral announcement, this 60-minute episode is stacked with stories making waves in New Westminster and beyond.💰 Metro Vancouver’s $4 Billion Wastewater MessWe kick things off with breaking news from Metro Vancouver, where officials have abruptly hit pause on an independent review into the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant fiasco. Once a $700M project, the cost has ballooned to nearly $4 billion — and now the public may never get the answers they were promised. Why the silence?🛑 Downtown Disorder: Global News Hits the StreetsA new three-part series by Global BC puts a spotlight on crime and public disorder in downtown New West. Small business owners share how rising incidents are affecting their livelihoods — while some local Community First politicians insist the stats show things aren't that bad. So, what’s the reality on the ground?🛴 E-Scooters & Flag Swaps: On The Mike Smyth ShowDaniel Fontaine joined The Mike Smyth Show to discuss the surge in e-scooter injuries reported by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Are Canadian cities doing enough to protect riders and pedestrians alike? And what’s the real story behind the U.S. flag being finally being removed from Queen’s Park Arena?🗞️ Saving Local News: Who’s Really Behind the $100K Ask? A new campaign titled “Save Our Local News” is aiming to raise $100,000 to launch a community newspaper this fall. But questions are surfacing: Who’s behind it? What’s Unifor’s role? And who is the Union Cooperative Initiative that’s supporting the drive? Veteran reporter Theresa McManus presented the pitch at city council — but not everyone is sold.🏛️ Cabinet Shuffle: Christine Boyle Takes Over Municipal AffairsBC’s new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Christine Boyle, brings close ties to Premier David Eby and a track record of hard left politics. Will she push for overdue reforms at Metro Vancouver? Or will it be more of the same under a different name?📣 Big NWP Announcement Coming September 18Mark your calendars. Coun. Paul Minhas teases a major announcement that could shake up the 2026 municipal election. Could this be the moment New Westminster’s mayoral race officially kicks off?☕ The Future of Councillor CafésWith the election countdown beginning, what’s next for the ever-popular Councillor Cafés? Will they continue into the campaign period, or be shelved until after votes are cast?🎙️ All this and more on a special summer edition of For the Record. Catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Like what you hear? Share the podcast with friends, family, and neighbours — word of mouth is how we grow our local listener base!

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• Episode 88: Pier Park Vandals, Crisis Response, Quiet Zones, MP in the House, May Day, Bike Lane Survey, Pride Week, Bus Shelters & Public Apology

  🎧 This Week on For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul MinhasThere’s no shortage of hot topics on this week’s For the Record — from public safety and civic engagement to bike lanes, bus shelters, and a rare public apology.🏞️ Pier Park Patrols: $400K Security Boost ProposedWe kick off with the future of New Westminster’s waterfront. A new city staff report recommends nearly $400,000 in added foot patrols and security upgrades at Westminster Pier Park — a response to over $460,000 in damages reported in just 18 months. We share coverage from Global BC and a recent AM 730 Jill Bennett Show interview to dive deeper into what this means for park users and taxpayers.🚨 Crisis Response Pilot Extended (Until After the Election)Originally slated to wrap by August 2026, the city’s Crisis Response Pilot Project — aimed at reducing public disorder downtown — has now been extended to December 31, 2026, leaving the next city council to decide its future. We explore what’s at stake and why the timeline shift matters.🔇 Quiet Zones: Do You Live in One?Many New West residents don’t realize they already live in a designated quiet zone. Now, council is directing staff to map them out and explore more aggressive steps to tackle vehicular noise pollution city-wide.🗣️ 10 Delegations, 1 Packed Council MeetingMonday’s council meeting saw a full lineup of speakers, including:Newly elected MP Jake Sawatzky, promising better intergovernmental collaboration and announcing a move to UptownThree residents speaking out against the London Street bike lane, citing a lack of consultation and flawed engagementA May Day celebration advocate, backing a motion by Coun. Paul Minhas to better support legacy organizations in the community grants process🏳️‍🌈 Pride Week 2025 AnnouncedThe Mayor has proclaimed August 7–17 as Pride Week in New Westminster. The NWP elector organization will host a booth — and all four caucus members plan to be there to meet residents.🚌 Holy Micromanagement, Batman!That’s the phrase that kicked off a spicy debate over a motion from Coun. Nadine Nakagawa to secure funding for three new bus shelters. The number was arbitrary, the priorities named — prompting a flashback to her own earlier critique of “micromanagement” on council.🙏 An On-Air ApologyDaniel Fontaine closes out the show by addressing his recent public apology to New West residents after an outburst in council where he referred to a comment from the Mayor as a “cheap shot.” He reflects on why the remark violated council’s procedures — and how he plans to do better.🎙️ If you're enjoying the podcast, don't forget to follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon — and help spread the word by sharing with friends and family. Your support helps keep the conversation going in New Westminster!

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• Episode 87: King of Compensation, Media Roundup, Council Countdown, Monitoring Motions and more...

  🎙️ Episode 87: Mayor Pay, Mega Meetings & Civic Spending ScrutinyIn Episode 87 of For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas, the hosts dive into a range of timely and thought-provoking civic issues.The episode kicks off with a look at how much Metro Vancouver mayors are earning 💰—including base salaries, per diems, and expense claims. With all the 2024 Statements of Financial Information (SOFI) now released, the numbers are in: Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie tops the list at a whopping $397,000 🥇. Close behind are Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, each bringing in over $350,000 🥈🥉. Could these paycheques finally lead to provincial salary caps by 2026? 🧐Next, the hosts preview the July 7th regular council meeting in New Westminster—already being dubbed the “Mother of All Meetings” 🗂️ due to its packed agenda. One highlight: a new report revealing consolidated pay figures for all elected officials. Finally, residents can see what their local politicians earn in one place 👀.Also on the docket:The Crisis Response Team pilot project is seeking an extension through 2025 🚨. Council will consider requesting additional funding from senior levels of government. If that fails, local taxpayers may be left footing the bill 💸.Has funding for Hyack and May Day really gone up over the past 10 years, as one Community First councillor claimed? 🤔 The staff report is in—and the numbers may surprise you 📊.Several councillor motions are also up for debate, including:Creating quiet zones 🛑Adding more bus shelters 🚏 and speed bumps 🛞Funding support for legacy non-profits 🤝Connecting the downtown and Sapperton riverfronts 🌊🏙️We also share with you an interview with AM 730 host Jas Johal. Simi Sara and Vancouver Sun columnist call Daniel Fontaine 'a renegade' - find out why. Listen to a Global TV story on the Metro Mayor pay scales for 2024. Lastly, we'll play you a clip of a flip flop by Metro Vancouver Chair Hurley who did a 180 on the need for a salary cap.If you enjoy For the Record, don’t forget to share it with friends, family, and colleagues! 💬Follow and listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts 🎧📱.

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• Episode 86: Drug Debate, Capping Costs, Overheating Portables, London Calling, Massey Lamps, Secure Funding + Canada Day

  🎙️ Canada Day Edition: For the Record – Hot Topics in New WestIn this special Canada Day edition of For the Record, Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas dive into the biggest issues stirring conversation in New Westminster right now—affecting residents, local businesses, and city hall.🚨 Supervised Drug Site Sparks Heated DebateThe proposed extension of a temporary permit for the downtown supervised drug consumption site has ignited a much livelier debate than when it was first approved back in March 2021. Why the shift in tone—and what does it signal for future decisions?💸 Mayors Making Nearly $400K?Some Metro Vancouver mayors are pulling in eye-popping salaries. Burnaby's Mike Hurley and Richmond’s Malcolm Brodie top the list—earning almost $400,000 a year. Should mayoral salaries be capped at the same level as a B.C. Cabinet minister? We weigh the options, including recommendations from a recent Deloitte governance review.🌡️ Too Hot to Learn? AC in Portables Under ReviewCity council is now asking its legal department to explore whether a new bylaw could require local schools to install air conditioning in portables. With students and teachers sweating through heat waves, is this a step toward cooler classrooms—or government overreach?💡 Heritage Lamp Standards: Saved, Then Scrapped?Just when it looked like the historic Massey Victory Heights lamp posts may have been saved, a motion from the Mayor sent the plan in a surprising new direction. Why the reversal—and what happens next?🚲 Bike Lane Battle in the West EndDozens of residents filled city hall in white t-shirts to oppose a proposed bike lane on London Street. Their concern? Lack of consultation and limited design options. A motion from Coun. Minhas could pause the project—will it succeed?🇨🇦 Thank You, Coun. Minhas? A Cooler Canada Day AheadWith temperatures expected to reach 28°C, New West residents are thanking Paul Minhas for helping move this year’s Canada Day festivities from sun-scorched Pier Park to the shady canopy of Queen’s Park. Will this become the new tradition?🎧 All this—and more—on this week’s Canada Day episode of For the Record.Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon. If you enjoy the show, share it with your friends and family—and help spread the word!

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• Episode 85: London Calling, Quiet Please, BIA Fees, Heritage Lamps, Good Neighbour Agreements and much, much more!

  In episode 85 of For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas, a number of topical issues are discussed again this week. The focus right off the top is London Street and a significant number of local residents who are choked with what city hall has planned for their neighbourhood. They've been given a couple of options to consider regarding future bike lane improvements on their street and neither seem to be catching on. It's led some residents to ask "why was there not a 'none of the above' option?" Next up is a focus on 'quiet zones'. They are quite common in the USA, but may be coming to New West if a motion is adopted next week at council. The motion speaks to how and where a 'quiet zone' could be officially designated by the city and how it may help to speed up whistle cessation efforts in the Royal City. Do you own a business in Uptown or Downtown? Do you know how much you are paying in annual fees to your local business improvement area association? The self-imposed fees are collected by the city and passed along to the BIA to pay for their annual operations. A number of business owners have asked if there can be more transparency regarding exactly how much each business owner is paying and what they are getting in return. A motion is calling for more transparency when it comes to letting business owners know exactly what they are obliged to pay each year. When is a lamp standard considered as heritage? That's what the residents of Massey Victory Heights were asking when they demanded the city put a halt to removing all their lamp standards without consulting with them first. The 50+ year old lamp standards have helped to provide the unique look of Massey Victory Heights which is filled with mid-century modern homes. A report to council next week was music to the ears of local residents when they learned the project may be temporarily shelved and the construction contract cancelled.The drug injection site near the SkyTrain station has applied for another temporary 18 month extension to their existing 3-year temporary permit. But this time, thanks to a NWP motion, the permit will only be issued if there is a Good Neighbour Agreement in place. The entire draft agreement was made public this week and it talks about something called peer-driven security and a renewed focus on keeping the area adjacent to the injection site clean and free of public disorder. But will it all work?All this and more on the podcast. If you enjoyed it, be sure to tell your friends and family to follow it on Apple Podcasts, Amazon or Spotify.

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