Author: Daniel Fontaine

As we countdown to the Christmas holidays, there is no shortage of civic topics to discuss in New Westminster.

This week the podcast starts off with a conversation between CKNW’s Jas Johal and Daniel Fontaine. The topic is Metro Vancouver and an opinion piece co-authored by Fontaine and city councillors Paul Minhas, Kash Heed and Brent Asmundson. It’s a pointed discussion focusing on Metro Vancouver waste, misspending and mismanagement.

Next up is a focus on the New West 2025 budget. Of particular concern was an approved 61% increase in the sewer fees for local ratepayers. There was also another attempt to lower the Climate Action Levy (aka tax) on electricity bills – but it was turned down, yet again, by the Community First majority on council

Why did a Community First councillor try to put forward a motion, only to struggle to find anyone on Council willing to support her? Then moments later her motion went down to a resounding defeat. Exactly what is behind that political move?

There were tears and fear expressed regarding what would happen to the residents living adjacent to the massive Columbia Square redevelopment project at 88 10th Street. Almost 50 owners attended a special strata meeting to hear from Fontaine and Minhas regarding ‘what next’ for this 8 tower (up to 53 stories) project.

Do you live in downtown New West and wish you had better amenities like a community center, a library or a new park? Well a motion that was approved at Council by a 4-2 vote means a new downtown is one big step closer to reality. Should increased density be the key to unlocking the funds to build these new amenities?

All this and more in a jam packed podcast which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all other major platforms. If you like the podcast, be sure to let your family, friends and colleagues know and encourage them to follow!

Powered by RedCircle

 

A first for the podcast this week! We have not one, but two special guests who make an appearance on For the Record.

Our first guest is Erica Wong who is once again organizing the special Queensborough Firehall Lighting Ceremony. Erica talks about her involvement with this special community event which is taking place on Saturday, November 30th. She also invites everyone to the Queensborough Christmas Market taking place on November 23rd.

Next up is life-long New West resident Dave Prevost. While he’s never been political in the past, the Columbia Square project (construction of up to 8 towers at up to 53 stories high) has got him motivated. In fact, he started an online petition which is garnering lots of community support calling for Council to have a rethink. Prevost talks about his concerns regarding building so much density without the appropriate community amenities.

During the weekly Council Roundup, the discussion leads to a number of reports and motions brought forward to the November 18th Council meeting.

A staff report on the new Crisis Response Team has co-hosts Paul and Daniel focusing on the $1M annual cost that should be paid for by senior orders of government. Once again the City of New West is stepping up while Victoria and Ottawa sit on the sidelines regarding an issue that falls within their jurisdiction.

Next up was a briefing about covering up ditches and building sidewalks in select areas of Queensborough. A Community First councillor moved a motion to spend $1M on a ‘quick treatment’ plan for a number of streets in Queensborough that will result in a significant loss of street parking. It will also result in many of the streets becoming one-way, vs. two-way streets. Why did Council approve this first then ask staff to consult with local residents afterwards?

The ‘temporary’ homeless shelter at the former Army and Navy building on Columbia has received a 5-2 approval for another 3 years. Yes, that means the ‘temporary’ homeless shelter that was only supposed to be open for only18 months will be in operation for six years. Yet the unhoused on New West streets wait desperately for the Province of BC to construct the long-awaited supportive housing units on the corner of 6th and Agnes. The doors for those units won’t open until at least January 2026!

Civic democracy is alive and well in New Westminster. That’s in part due to a 6-1 vote to retain the status quo at Council and not place any annual limits on how many motions councillors can introduce each year. Let’s hope this is the last in a string of initiatives and discussions over the past 24 months aimed at restricting the democratic right of elected officials. After the next election when the NWP form a majority, democratic reforms will be initiated to open up city hall once again.

It’s a packed podcast that you’ll want to listen through to the end. If you enjoyed it be sure to tell your friends and family to follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcast and all other major platforms.

Powered by RedCircle

If a staff recommendation is passed on Monday, November 18th, the days of elected officials being able to introduce at least one motion per meeting will be gone. The new rules which could take effect in 2025 would limit opposition councillors (and other councillors too) to a maximum of 5 motions per year. Will this measure which could limit local democracy be approved by a majority on Council – or not?

What do you consider as temporary? Do you think 6 years qualifies? Council is being asked on Monday to approve another ‘temporary’ three-year permit for the homeless shelter located at the former Army and Navy site on Columbia. That means the ‘temporary’ shelter will be open for at least six years – and any prospect of the Army and Navy building being redeveloped will be shelved, yet again. Just when will all that supportive housing promised by Victoria arrive?

Parents with children who are attending Herbert Spencer Elementary and Glenbrook Middle School have had enough! They want improvements made at the 2nd Street and 6th Avenue intersection to help reduce the risk to pedestrians. A previous motion to review this intersection for possible capital upgrades was initially approved – then eventually defeated by the Community First majority. Will the parents be able to convince Community First to reconsider their decision?

The rain held off long enough to hold a dry and incredible Remembrance Day ceremony at New West City Hall. Not all members of Council attended and it caught the attention of a number of attendees. But the mood at the Legion was uplifting with an amazing performance by the Royal Westminster Regiment Band. We provide you with an exclusive performance!

Is the rent charged in New Westminster really the 5th highest for any midsize city in B.C.? You bet it is. So why then are developers of market rental provided with so many special breaks by City Hall? Shouldn’t that be reserved for developers of below market and more affordable rental units?

Time to review some of the upcoming events! We do an event roundup covering off some planned townhall forums and Councillor Cafes being planned for early 2025.

If you like this podcast, be sure to tell your friends, family and colleagues. That’s how we help to spread the word.

Powered by RedCircle