Author: Daniel Fontaine

🎙️ For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

This week’s episode dives into some of the most debated issues at New Westminster City Hall and beyond:

✅ Council Compensation Report – A proposal goes to Council Oct 6 to raise the Mayor’s car (aka transportation) allowance from $200 to $830/month, double the Acting Mayor stipend, and triple Councillor transportation allowances. Daniel’s amendments to the curbside management report — impose maximum free 2-hour parking at City Hall and ending automatic stipends — were voted down.

✅ Remembrance Day Crosswalks – Terry Leith, President of the No. 2 Royal Canadian Legion, urged Council to follow Richmond and Maple Ridge in honoring veterans with “Lest We Forget” crosswalks.

✅ Commercial Rent Caps – While a motion went to UBCM, Daniel and Paul highlight how steep property tax hikes in New West have already fueled rising commercial rents for small businesses.

✅ Vape Store Restrictions – A motion to limit the number and location of vape shops passed at UBCM and could soon influence provincial policy.

✅ London Street Bike Lane – Staff scaled back proposed parking cuts from 39% to 9% — a significant shift for residents. Fontaine and Minhas invite community feedback ahead of the Oct 6 report.

✅ Woodward’s Building Concerns – Seniors voiced frustration over lost loading zones and bus stop changes at a Strata Town Hall, raising questions about consultation and accessibility.

✅ Looking Ahead – NWP fundraiser Oct 23 will feature mayoral candidate Daniel Fontaine and the announcement of two new NWP council candidates.

👉 Listen to For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.

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🎙️ For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

Special Co-Host: Kathleen Carlsen, NWP School Trustee

This week’s episode brings school board insights, city debates, and provincial politics to the table:

✅ School Board Roundup – Trustee Kathleen Carlsen joins to discuss the five-block system at NWSS and the growing reliance on portables in the district, including a clip from NWP Trustee Danielle Connelly on her concerns.

✅ Woodward’s Building Concerns – Seniors at 6th & 6th are losing both their loading zone and direct HandyDART access, raising serious accessibility questions.

✅ Metro Vancouver Under Fire – BC Conservative leader John Rustad told UBCM delegates that, if elected, his party would scrap Metro Vancouver and replace it with a utility. What could that look like?

✅ Heritage Commission Issues – A debate over heritage lamp standards in Massey Victory Heights, plus Daniel’s upcoming motion to expand the commission’s mandate.

✅ Candidate Spotlight – Kathleen turns interviewer, asking Daniel about his run for mayor under the NWP banner and the issues he plans to champion.

✅ Community Events – Highlights from the Massey Victory Heights Residents Association and the Quayside Residents’ Connect at the Quay gathering.

👉 Listen to For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.

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For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

This week’s episode covers a wide range of hot topics coming out of New Westminster’s special Queensborough council meeting and beyond:

✅ Seniors’ Discount on Solid Waste & Recycling – How can more seniors access the 25% discount available on solid waste and recycling pickup fees?

✅ Budget 2026 – Staff presented scenarios of 4–5% tax hikes. Council unanimously supported a NWP motion to also model 0% and 2.5% increases.

✅ Q2Q Ferry Fare Hikes – Staff proposed raising some fares by up to 20%. Thanks to a NWP motion Council capped concession fares at inflation, but regular fares will still rise by 11% in 2026.

✅ Public Delegations – Brow of the Hill resident Terence Poirier raised concerns about the 7th Street bike lane, while Queensborough resident Amit Ajmera questioned a $275,000 digital sign project and highlighted community safety issues.

✅ Media Roundup – Featuring Daniel’s interviews on AM 730 with Mike Smyth (Metro Vancouver salaries & spending) and Simi Sara (campaign launch).

✅ Running for Mayor – Daniel reflects on the Sept 18th campaign launch, where 350 supporters turned out to kick off a 12-month race for change in New Westminster.

👉 Listen to For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.

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