Author: Daniel Fontaine

🎙️ For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas – Episode 101

It’s Halloween week and this episode starts with a spooky soundtrack and an even scarier topic: Budget 2026.

👻 Budget 2026 – Trick or Tax?

With a potential 7% property tax increase, and the prospect of more than 30% in total hikes over four years under the current Community First majority, Daniel and Paul refer to this budget as one of the scariest things in New Westminster. Paul’s motion to explore a 0% and 2.5% increase was voted down by Community First, leaving taxpayers bracing for another costly year.

🏘️ NW City Matters Launch

The New West Progressives are launching a major community engagement effort – starting with their first town hall on Nov. 6 (6:30–8 p.m.) at Mount Zion Lutheran Church. Daniel and Paul explain how this series of town halls, surveys, and neighbourhood canvasses will help shape the NWP’s 2026 election platform.

🎖️ Exclusive Interview: Terry Leith, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #2

Past President Terry Leith joins the podcast to discuss the Poppy Campaign, what defines a veteran, and how the Legion is modernizing its outreach. He reminds listeners that everyone is welcome at the Legion – membership not required – and encourages New Westminster residents to wear their poppies proudly through Remembrance Day. If you want to have a poppy box at your establishment in New West call the Legion at 604-524-1511.

🚓 Chamber of Commerce Panel – Chief Paul Hyland on Stigmatization

Daniel and Paul reflect on comments made by Chief Hyland, who said stigmatization can play a positive role in curbing harmful behaviours – from drunk driving to public illicit drug use – and that the NDP government’s decriminalization experiment has failed.

💌 Letter of the Week

This week features two letters – one about the 7th Street bike lane, and another from a listener outside New Westminster who praised Daniel for his ongoing accountability work on Metro Vancouver issues.

🎧 Tune in now for thoughtful discussion, accountability, and community voices – available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🎉 Episode 100 of For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

A major milestone episode! This week, For the Record celebrates its 100th show with big announcements and exclusive interviews.

✅ Metro Matters – Daniel and Paul kick things off with a look at Metro Vancouver’s ballooning budgets and growing public concern. With clips from both CTV and CBC, they break down what’s really behind the rising costs — and Metro’s efforts to manage the optics.

✅ Paul Minhas Announces His Re-Election Campaign – Co-host and City Councillor Paul Minhas confirms he’ll seek another term with the New West Progressives (NWP). Paul shares why he’s running again and what drives his commitment to New Westminster.

✅ Exclusive Interview: Ken Armstrong Joins the Race – Former NWP mayoral candidate Ken Armstrong returns to the political arena — this time running for council. A lawyer and Queensborough resident, Ken could make history as the first councillor ever elected from Queensborough.

✅ Letter of the Week – This week’s featured letter focuses on the ongoing Woodward’s Building controversy — and what residents want to see happen next.

✅ Coming Next Week – Terry Leith, past president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 2, joins the podcast to discuss the upcoming Poppy Campaign and how the Legion supports local veterans.

🎙️ Tune in to For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.