In this latest episode of For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas a number of local topics come up for discussion and analysis. This special episode was recorded from Ottawa at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual conference.
To start off the podcast, the topic of ‘just exactly what is temporary’ comes up. When it comes to drug injection sites and homeless shelters, why does temporary mean up to six years? In the case of the downtown drug injection center, they just got a green light to proceed with getting an 18 month extension on their 3 year ‘temporary’ permit.
Was it a heritage revitalization agreement, or simply a rezoning to allow for more density in historic Queen’s Park? That was the crux of the debate as a homeowner at 318 6th Ave wanted Council to provide approval to 3rd reading of a Heritage Revitalization By-Law. Not everyone on New West Council thought there was enough revitalization in that revitalization agreement!
Beep. Beep. Beep. Bang. Bang. Bang. That’s the sound of construction at the new Royal Columbian Hospital. Thanks to a vote of the Community First representatives on Council that may well be the sound local Sapperton residents start hearing at 7 am every Saturday morning. International construction company Ellis Don applied for the exemption to do work early on Saturday mornings – and it was granted.
The US flag will be quietly removed from the Queen’s Park Arena for the first time in decades. Thanks to a unanimous vote of Council the American flag will be swapped out and replaced with a City of New Westminster flag. Feedback from the public has been overwhelmingly supportive – we explore why. Have a listen to an interview with CBC’s On the Coast host Gloria Macarenko and Daniel Fontaine.
All this and more in the latest edition of For the Record. If you enjoyed the podcast be sure to encourage your friends and family to follow. It’s available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcast.
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