Author: Daniel Fontaine

Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West makes an appearance on For the Record. In a special interview recorded in Vancouver at the Union of BC Municipalities, West talks about a number of key items of concern to him and other mayors in the Metro Vancouver region.

Some of the topics both Mayor West and I touch upon include involuntary care, homelessness, transit funding and property taxes.

Also making another appearance this week is New West Councillor Paul Minhas. In this week’s Council Roundup, the topics of a ‘mini’ carbon tax, Cycling Sundays, Metro Vancouver wasted tax dollars, community block party fees and much, much more are on the table for discussion.

The topic of “The Way I See It” editorial this week is Premier David Eby’s turnabout on the issue of involuntary care. Why was a NWP motion calling for mental health supports in December 2022 shot down by Community First? Why are CF politicians not speaking out against NDP Premier David Eby’s campaign promise to force some people with mental illness into involuntary care in modernized Riverview-like institutions throughout BC?

This is a podcast you will want to listen through to the end! It’s available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcast.

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In this week’s edition, For the Record covers a number of hot topics in New West and beyond.

I have an exclusive interview with Gail North, President of the Queen’s Park Resident Association. Learn about Gail’s experience restoring her heritage home and find out why she is a fixture at city hall every two weeks.

“The Way I See It” focuses on the major policy flip flop by Premier David Eby and his NDP government regarding the carbon tax. Special guest Coun. Paul Minhas speculates whether this flip flop will encourage council to take a second look at our own version of the carbon tax – the 3.5% Climate Action Levy imposed on all monthly utility bills in New West.

Will Canada Day be in Sapperton next year? How about Queensborough? Council debated a motion to seek feedback from the public regarding whether to move the Canada Day festivities around New West. The motion got approved, but not without a twist!

Would you like to be able to safely and easily cycle from the western end of the boardwalk along the Fraser River through to the Brunette Fraser Regional Greenway in Sapperton? How about a pilot project called “Cycling Sundays” that could involve the temporary day-long closure of Front Street next summer. You heard it here first!

Did you host a block party this summer and appreciate the fact the fees have been waived due to a NWP motion which got approved in Council? Good news, the fee reduction is now permanent and the issue with securing the proper insurance has also been resolved too.

If you enjoyed the podcast, be sure to tell family and friends to follow For the Record. It’s available on all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

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Summer’s over and For the Record is kicking it back into gear. We have a wonderful podcast this week filled with some of the hottest topics New West politicos are talking about.

We start the podcast with a discussion on Mayor Patrick Johnstone’s plummeting popularity. Will he decide to run again? Will he face a challenger within his own Community First Party? The summer BBQ circuit was definitely filled with political prognostications regarding the future of New Westminster’s ‘one and done’ mayor.

Did Council really gather for a special meeting this week only to not approve the agenda and adjourn the meeting before it actually began? In full view of the cameras, did a councillor actually flip flop their vote? We discuss what transpired at the meeting and why it could be considered one of the most anti-democratic in recent history.

Why was guest Coun. Paul Minhas asked by the Mayor to publicly apologize for a video he released about a massive chainlink fence that was erected downtown? The fence was quietly installed in late August at the ‘temporary’ homeless shelter which opened three years ago at the former Army and Navy building.

Council crosses the river and heads over to Queensborough for its annual gathering. A special Council meeting will take place at the Queensborough Community Center and will discuss a new Lobbyist Registry and whether to rotate the location of the Canada Day celebrations.

We also share an interview Coun. Minhas had on CKNW’s Mike Smyth Show and much, much more. Be sure to tell family, friends and colleagues if you enjoy the podcast which is available on all major platforms.

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