Daniel Fontaine, B.A., ICD.D

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.

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In this week’s FTR podcast, it starts off with a discussion regarding Jay Joy’s presentation to New West Council. He asks if the 3.5% Climate Action Levy can be removed from the utility bills of New West residents and business owners. Coun. Nakagawa says no way. While Mayor Johnstone tells Joy he was ‘misinformed’. So who was right?

A familiar face showed up to the special Queensborough Council meeting to advocate for a new turf and track field at Ryall Park South. Former NWP mayoral candidate Ken Armstrong made a presentation to Council asking them to support this important investment in his Queensborough neighourhood. Find out what the staff response was and why Armstrong left the meeting a very happy man!

Metro Vancouver presented their new trimmed down budget this week and it included double digit budget increases for as far as the eye can see. Yet Metro Vancouver wanted taxpayers to applaud their efforts at spending less. Should they?

Tis the season of resident association meetings. A few of them have taken place the last few weeks including in Brow of the Hill, West End, Massey Victory Heights and Downtown. They were packed with federal politicians, wonder why? As one federal election candidate said “this election is considered as a job interview”. Does that also mean it’s also time for a performance review for our former Member of Parliament?

Queensborough MLA Steve Kooner asks the BC NDP Minister of Education some tough questions about funding for a bus transporting high school students to NWSS. The Minister’s response in the Legislature might come as a surprise!

Popular CKNW host Mike Smyth talks Metro Vancouver budget and whether it’s appropriate to fly the USA flag at Queen’s Park Arena. Listen in to the interview and summary of responses from his callers.

The FTR podcast is available on all major platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you enjoy it, be sure to tell your family and friends to follow!

 

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It’s a special edition of For the Record focusing on the state of schools, or should we say the lack of schools in the Royal City. Whether it’s a push to build the long-awaited Simcoe Elementary downtown, a new middle school or a high school in Queensborough, parents and students are fed up with a lack of action on the part of Victoria. The recent BC budget didn’t help matters when it appears NO funding was allocated for Simcoe Elementary – even though the school was promised years ago!

A motion introduced at New West Council on Monday, March 10th focused on providing the School District with support for their capital plan which asked the Ministry of Education to assist with land acquisition to build a new high school in Queensborough. While the motion was heavily watered down, it triggered a very testy debate. One councillor read out a letter from the school board which she interpreted as a message telling her colleagues to ‘buzz off’.

Meanwhile another councillor lectured her colleagues that if they wanted to set priorities for the school board, they should quit council and run there next time. Really? All the motion was calling for was to support a SD40 capital plan ask for a new high school – but did that ask really get made, or not?

After the Monday council meeting, the SD40 trustees then debated the letter Chair Maya Russell had sent to Council which triggered the ‘buzz off’ comment. You’ll be surprised to find out what the school trustees did with that letter and why it now has to be rewritten and sent back to Council to correct the record!

Why is New West so far behind when it comes to school construction given we are the 2nd most densely populated city in Canada? We never even made progress when our local MLA was the Minister of Education and our MP was in a partnership agreement with the federal Liberal government. Why so?

There is a discussion about a rally being organized outside MLA Jennifer Whiteside’s office by the District Parent Advisory Council in support of Simcoe Elementary – as well as a petition launched in Queensborough to advocate for a new high school – click here to sign. Needless to say, it was a busy week focused on education!

This podcast also includes an exclusive interview with NWP school trustee Kathleen Carlsen who just announced she has wrapped up her cancer treatment and is conducting her duties in-person again. It’s an interview you won’t want to miss as she also provides some background and context regarding the infamous ‘buzz off’ letter!

It’s another great podcast focusing on New West issues! If you enjoy it, be sure to tell your family, friends as that’s how we’ve been building our audience. FTR is available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcast.

 

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