Author: Daniel Fontaine

🎙️ For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

This week’s episode dives into pay, perks, politics, and plenty of lively debate from inside and outside City Hall:

✅ Pay, Perks & Pensions – A new report recommends big increases to elected officials’ compensation — including raising the Mayor’s travel allowance from $200 to $850/month and doubling the Acting Mayor stipend. Daniel joins The Mike Smyth Show (AM 730) to discuss the issue and listener reactions.

✅ Metro Vancouver & Vape Shops – A segment from Daniel’s Connect FM radio interview dives into Metro governance and the growing push to limit vape stores in local communities.

✅ Canada Post at City Hall? – An emergency motion to debate national postal issues sparks questions — and laughs — about what’s actually municipal business.

✅ Woodward’s Sidewalk Redesign – Residents at 6th & 6th speak out against accessibility changes. Hear Woodward Building Strata President Liz Faber’s full presentation to Council.

✅ Grants Going Up – Civic grants are set to rise by 50% — just in time for an election year. Daniel and Paul unpack the political optics and one surprising twist affecting multi-year recipients.

✅ London Street Bike Lane – It’s official: the project is moving ahead after a divided vote, despite ongoing opposition from some residents.

✅ Police Board & Budget Pressures – With nearly 30% property tax hikes this term, Council debates underfunding, responsibility, and rising policing costs.

✅ Liquid Waste Management Plan – A split Council vote makes New Westminster one of the few municipalities opposing Metro Vancouver’s LWMP until an independent wastewater review is complete.

✅ E-Scooters – Thanks to an NWP motion, enforcement will now join education in cracking down on illegal scooter use.

🎟️ Upcoming Event – Don’t miss the NWP fundraiser at The Boathouse Restaurant on Oct 23. Details at nwprogress.ca or Eventbrite.

🎵 Plus — a perfect closer: Twisted Sister wraps up the episode in fitting fashion.

👉 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 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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