Month: April 2025

It was a busy week in civic politics in New West – which translates into another great For the Record podcast!

Starting off the top the discussion focuses on the federal election and some political prognostications. Who will pull it out of the hat on Monday in the New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville riding? Will the NDP’s Peter Julian have the opportunity to be in Parliament for a quarter century? Or will upstart Liberal Jake Sawatsky make an upset victory? Could the Conservative’s Indy Panchi surprise the pollsters? What about the final tally at the national level?

A motion has finally been submitted to removed the USA flag from Queen’s Park and replace it with the City of New Westminster flag. But will the motion be defeated due to the fact our local flag is simply ‘too colonial’?

You’re hired! That’s what New West City Council will be saying very soon as they undertake a process to hire a new city manager. The current city manager will be retiring early next year and the recruitment process is about to get underway.

What is a Pop Up City Council office and why will one be installed on the boardwalk near the Samson V floating museum on Saturday April 26th from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm?

The ‘independent’ governance review of Metro Vancouver is underway and a familiar face was interviewed as part of that process. Will the process yield real change? Why has there been almost no news when it comes to getting answers about the Metro Vancouver Wastewater Treatment Plan cost overruns? What’s with all the silence and lack of transparency?

Another successful Councillor Cafe was held in Queen’s Park last week. It was a full house and there were lots of great comments and questions!

What is the NWP doing when it comes to recruiting council and school board candidates for 2026? Is there an update? Who could they be talking to about running for Mayor and council? Tune in to get the inside track!

All this and much more in the latest edition of FTR with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas. If you liked the podcast, be sure to follow and encourage your friends and family to do the same. FTR is available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcast.

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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.

If you enjoy listening to FTR, be sure to tell your family and friends to follow. It’s available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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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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