Episode 117: Sidewalks Less Accessible, Tiny Homes Delegation, Canada Games Pool Replacement, Metro in a Mess + More

April 18, 2026

Episode 117: Sidewalks Less Accessible, Tiny Homes Delegation, Canada Games Pool Replacement, Metro in a Mess + More

🎙️ For the Record – Episode 117

Aquatic Centre Costs, Community Voices & Metro Vancouver in Court

This week on For the Record, Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas return with a wide-ranging discussion on major civic issues, community concerns, and regional developments impacting New Westminster.

🏊 $114 Million Aquatic Centre – Where Was the Funding?

The episode opens with a discussion on the final report for the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre, the $114 million facility that replaced the Canada Games Pool.

The hosts examine the lack of federal and provincial funding for the project and ask whether more could have been done to secure outside investment. The segment includes a notable exchange from council between the Mayor and Councillor Daniel Fontaine, touching on senior government funding and priorities.

🏘️ Tiny Home Village Raises Community Concerns

The podcast then highlights presentations from residents at a recent council meeting held in Queensborough.

Ben Gill speaks about concerns related to the proposed tiny home village, including what he believes is the absence of clear conditions around safety, integration, and expectations for the site.

🚲 Bike Lane Accessibility Under Scrutiny

Another delegation comes from Jim Hurst, who raises concerns about the 7th Avenue bike lane project.

Hurst questions whether the design has compromised sidewalk accessibility, particularly for seniors and those with mobility challenges. His remarks sparked discussion in the community regarding whether pedestrian priorities are being upheld in practice.

⚖️ Metro Vancouver Faces Legal Challenge

The episode also features a segment from The Mike Smyth Show (AM730), where Daniel Fontaine discusses new developments involving Metro Vancouver.

The City of Surrey has launched a legal challenge related to the Invest Vancouver initiative, alleging potential breaches of the Local Government Act. The case adds another layer to ongoing concerns about governance, accountability, and regional decision-making.

🤝 Get Involved: Events & Volunteering

The podcast wraps with a look ahead at opportunities for community involvement, including:

Door knocking with NWP candidates
Upcoming NW City Matters forums:
📍 April 30 – Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary (Schools & Education focus)
📍 May 6 – Downtown Edition
(Both starting at 6:30 p.m.)

Listeners are encouraged to visit nwprogress.ca and follow NWP on social media for more details.

🎉 Thank You & Community Momentum

The episode closes on a high note, celebrating a sold-out fundraiser at the Taverna Greka restaurant with over 140 attendees – capped off with a touch of Greek music to thank supporters and listeners.

🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📣 Stay informed, stay engaged – and be part of the conversation shaping New Westminster.

March 7, 2026

Episode 114: Listening to Citizens, North Van Mayors Speak Out, Tiny Town Big Concerns, Infill Housing Discussion + More

🎙️ 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.

February 14, 2026

Episode 112: Tumbler Ridge Tragedy, Budget 2026, Queensborough Matters, Online Harms, Anita Dunn Announces + more

🎙️ 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.

Daniel Fontaine, B.A., ICD.D

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