Episode 118 of For the Record features Councillor Paul Minhas alongside guest co-host Ray Porcellato, NWP candidate for City Council, filling in for regular co-host Daniel Fontaine.

The episode opens with a compelling presentation from lacrosse advocate Dylan Jones, who addressed City Council about the deteriorating condition of the outdoor lacrosse box at Moody Park. Jones highlighted the real impact that aging and underfunded infrastructure is having on young athletes and the broader lacrosse community. While over $300,000 had previously been allocated for interim improvements, those funds have yet to be utilized, with the project now tied to a larger future redevelopment plan.

The discussion then shifts to regional politics, featuring commentary on Councillor Daniel Fontaine’s recent appearance on The Mike Smith Show (AM 730). Fontaine spoke critically about Metro Vancouver’s ongoing investigation into alleged information leaks, characterizing it as an unnecessary expense with little expected value for taxpayers.

Attention then turns to Simcoe Park, where Paula Naylor, President of the New Westminster Community Gardens Society, raised concerns about a proposed asphalt pathway that could negatively affect community garden space. As an active member of the cycling community, Naylor emphasized the need to balance accessibility improvements with preservation of green space.

A key policy discussion follows on what Councillor Fontaine has described as “density without dollars.” Using the Royal City Towers proposal as a case study, the episode examines how over 1,000 new housing units could bring significant population growth - without corresponding investment in public amenities. The panel discusses how the City’s decision to prioritize provincial responsibilities like affordable housing and tenant relocation has come at the expense of securing approximately $11.6 million in potential community amenity contributions.

The episode wraps with a look ahead at recent and upcoming community events, including a lookback at the April 30 NW City Matters forum focused on local schools, along with additional NWP outreach activities.

A wide-ranging episode covering infrastructure, regional governance, land use, and community advocacy in New Westminster.

🎙️ For the Record – Episode 117

Aquatic Centre Costs, Community Voices & Metro Vancouver in Court

This week on For the Record, Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas return with a wide-ranging discussion on major civic issues, community concerns, and regional developments impacting New Westminster.

The episode opens with a discussion on the final report for the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre, the $114 million facility that replaced the Canada Games Pool.

The hosts examine the lack of federal and provincial funding for the project and ask whether more could have been done to secure outside investment. The segment includes a notable exchange from council between the Mayor and Councillor Daniel Fontaine, touching on senior government funding and priorities.

The podcast then highlights presentations from residents at a recent council meeting held in Queensborough.

Ben Gill speaks about concerns related to the proposed tiny home village, including what he believes is the absence of clear conditions around safety, integration, and expectations for the site.

Another delegation comes from Jim Hurst, who raises concerns about the 7th Avenue bike lane project.

Hurst questions whether the design has compromised sidewalk accessibility, particularly for seniors and those with mobility challenges. His remarks sparked discussion in the community regarding whether pedestrian priorities are being upheld in practice.

The episode also features a segment from The Mike Smyth Show (AM730), where Daniel Fontaine discusses new developments involving Metro Vancouver.

The City of Surrey has launched a legal challenge related to the Invest Vancouver initiative, alleging potential breaches of the Local Government Act. The case adds another layer to ongoing concerns about governance, accountability, and regional decision-making.

The podcast wraps with a look ahead at opportunities for community involvement, including:

• Door knocking with NWP candidates
• Upcoming NW City Matters forums:
• 📍 April 30 – Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary (Schools & Education focus)
• 📍 May 6 – Downtown Edition
• (Both starting at 6:30 p.m.)

Listeners are encouraged to visit nwprogress.ca and follow NWP on social media for more details.

The episode closes on a high note, celebrating a sold-out fundraiser at the Taverna Greka restaurant with over 140 attendees - capped off with a touch of Greek music to thank supporters and listeners.

🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📣 Stay informed, stay engaged - and be part of the conversation shaping New Westminster.

🎙️ For the Record - Special Midweek Edition

Johnstone Announces Mayoral Run - A Closer Look at the Record

This week’s episode of For the Record drops on a special Wednesday release, following Mayor Patrick Johnstone’s official announcement that he'll be seeking another term as mayor of New Westminster. NO APRIL FOOL's!

Co-hosted by Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas, the episode takes a closer look at what that announcement means - and what voters may want to consider as the city heads toward the October 17th civic election.

The podcast opens with discussion around Johnstone’s time in office - 12 years on council - and his decision to seek another four-year term to continue advancing his ideology and agenda.

The hosts ask a central question:

What remains to be accomplished after more than a decade in office - and is a new direction worth considering?

A major focus of the episode is affordability, including:

• 30%+ property tax increases over this current term in office alone!
• Spending priorities that many residents are questioning
• Whether current financial decisions align with the pressures facing households today

The discussion also explores broader priorities, including:

• Heavy investments in bike lane infrastructure versus basic core services
• High-profile spending decisions such as the $500,000 “mushroom wall” in Queen's Park
• Ongoing concerns about aging infrastructure and service delivery

Fontaine and Minhas also examine:

• Questions around public consultation and responsiveness
• The decision to support a “Sue Big Oil” initiative and related costs
• Past controversies, including the business class all expenses paid Dubai trip and Ethics Commissioner findings

The episode also touches on:

• Major development approvals, including Columbia Square
• The city’s role at Metro Vancouver and whether stronger advocacy is needed
• The long-term impact of growth on infrastructure and livability

As the campaign season begins to take shape, the hosts frame the conversation around choice - encouraging listeners to reflect on the past, assess current priorities, and consider what direction they want for New Westminster moving forward. A choice of status quo - or positive change to make progress in our city.

🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📣 This is shaping up to be a pivotal election - and the conversation is just getting started.

This week’s podcast features a new voice stepping in behind the mic - and a candidate worth getting to know.

New West Progressives school trustee candidate Lucas Steele joins Councillor Paul Minhas as guest host, sharing his story, his priorities, and why he’s running to represent students and families in New Westminster.

Drawing from his own experience at New West Secondary, Steele speaks candidly about the challenges students are still facing today - from feeling unsafe in school spaces, to gaps in mental health support, to the need for stronger communication and trust between parents and the school board.

He also tackles some of the bigger systemic issues:

• The impact of provincial funding decisions on local classrooms

• The importance of supporting teachers and staff

• The need for greater transparency and accountability in how decisions are made

At its core, Steele’s message is clear: students need to feel safe, supported, and heard - and the system needs to be more responsive to the people it serves.

The episode also widens the lens to the broader civic landscape. Political analysts Keith Baldrey and Jas Johal weigh in on why New Westminster is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched races in the region - and why the outcome matters.

Plus, a deeper dive into the growing controversy around the proposed “Tiny Town” site in the West End, including new concerns raised about its proximity to active rail lines and what that means for safety.

🎧 It’s a wide-ranging conversation on schools, leadership, and the future of New Westminster.

Take a listen and hear what’s at stake.

🎙️ For the Record – Episode 113

This week on For the Record, Councillor Paul Minhas is joined by special guest host Maryann Morrison, who sits in for Daniel Fontaine while he takes the week off from the podcast.

The episode begins with a preview of the topics ahead before turning to the latest NW City Matters forum in Sapperton, which drew a large and engaged crowd. Residents raised a wide range of concerns, including train whistle cessation, slow building permit timelines, parking shortages, and the double bike lanes near Royal Columbian Hospital.

The strong turnout at the community forum was contrasted with a much smaller audience - described as only a 'handful of people' - who attended a keynote presentation by the mayor to the Downtown Residents Association at the same time.

Next, the podcast features a Global News segment highlighting how the City of North Vancouver and District of North Vancouver mayors are now calling for a public inquiry into the North Shore wastewater treatment plant financial debacle and broader governance reform at Metro Vancouver. Minhas and Morrison note how much of the language being used mirrors arguments that Councillor Daniel Fontaine has been raising for years.

Another major topic is the controversial “Tiny Town” supportive housing project. The hosts discuss concerns raised by residents about the lack of advance notification, consultation, and the lack of a Good Neighbour Agreement prior to the project being announced for New Westminster. They also discuss how the issue of a lack of consultation could become a major topic in the upcoming civic election campaign taking place on October 17th.

Housing policy also takes centre stage as the podcast examines proposed infill housing rezonings scheduled for a public hearing later this spring. Hundreds of single-family properties could be affected, with potential zoning changes allowing up to six units per lot and buildings up to three storeys in height. The hosts discuss concerns raised in other municipalities, including Burnaby, where similar developments have sparked debate about neighbourhood character.

The episode also revisits the ongoing issue of Queensborough secondary school bus funding, which has still not been confirmed by the provincial Ministry of Education. The podcast features a clip from Don Doyle, a Queensborough resident who has been advocating for the bus service and recently announced he will run for school trustee with the NWP.

🎧 For the Record is available on *Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🎙️ For the Record – Special Victoria Edition

Live from the BC Legislature

This week’s episode of For the Record comes to listeners from a unique setting - the halls of the British Columbia Legislature in Victoria.

Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas record the podcast live inside the historic legislative building, with tours and visitors passing by in the background. The episode opens with reflections on the MLAs and media personalities they met with during their visit, as well as commentary on the significance and history of the legislature itself.

The first major topic tackles the community debate surrounding the future of the Pattullo Bridge, originally built in 1939.

The discussion was sparked after Councillor Minhas openly mused about whether the aging bridge could be preserved as a linear park rather than demolished outright. The idea generated strong reactions - some residents arguing the bridge should be torn down immediately to save money, while others supported at least exploring preservation options.

Although the proposed “Party on the Pattullo” never materialized, the conversation highlighted how much the bridge means to many in the community. With demolition likely to begin soon, the hosts agree it's now time to say goodbye to a historic piece of New Westminster’s skyline.

The episode also features an excerpt from Daniel Fontaine’s appearance on The Jas Johal Show on AM 730, guest-hosted by Robin Gill.

The interview focuses on Metro Vancouver governance, specifically the cost of stipends and honorariums paid to board members and whether meaningful reform is needed to make the regional body more transparent and accountable to taxpayers.

The podcast wraps with a look ahead to the next NW City Matters Forum, taking place:

📍 Sapperton Community Hall (Keary Street)

📆 March 4

⏰ 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion. Details — along with information about upcoming fundraisers and events - can be found at nwprogress.ca.

🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

🎙️ For the Record – Episode 112

Community Reflection, Budget 2026 & Campaign Momentum

This week on For the Record, Councillors Paul Minhas and Daniel Fontaine return to the studio and share an important programming update: as the October 17 civic election approaches, the podcast will now move to a bi-weekly format, featuring a range of special guest hosts in the months ahead.

The episode opens with commentary on the recent Tumbler Ridge shootings in British Columbia. Fontaine reflects on growing up in a small community with a grades 7–12 high school, where everyone knew each other - and how deeply a tragedy like this can affect a tight-knit town.

Both hosts emphasize the importance of mental health supports and acknowledge the profound impact such events have on small communities.

The latest NW City Matters forum took place in Queensborough, and residents did not hold back.

Key themes raised included:

• Open ditches and infrastructure concerns
• Property tax pressures
• Traffic and transportation challenges
• Electricity bills
• A lack of amenities such as pools and arenas

A major concern discussed was the future of the Queensborough secondary school bus program, which is set to lose funding on June 30. The hosts note that a previous provincial commitment suggested the program would become permanent and free - something that has not materialized. With no high school planned for Queensborough, families are left with ongoing uncertainty.

The podcast features two clips from a City Hall chamber discussion on bullying.

Councillor Nadine Nakagawa speaks about her experience attending the Stronger Cities initiative conference and addressing online bullying, while Councillor Fontaine responds by sharing his perspective on in-person bullying.

Despite political differences, the hosts observe that there was notable common ground between the two perspectives.

With Budget 2026 nearing completion, residents have but a few days left in the consultation phase to weigh in.

The hosts discuss how this budget effectively locks in a 30% property tax increase over four years, positioning New Westminster among the highest tax increases in Metro Vancouver during this council term.

They also look ahead:

What might change under a different council majority? And how would an NWP-led government approach affordability differently?

The episode introduces Anita Dunn, the newest NWP school board candidate.

Dunn, a former Columbia Street retail business owner and trained chartered accountant, recently announced her candidacy in front of supporters. As a parent of a secondary school student, she brings both professional financial expertise and firsthand education experience to the team.

The hosts wrap up with a preview of:

• Family Day wishes to listeners
• An upcoming trip to Victoria (Feb 18–19) to meet with MLAs
• An upcoming exclusive interview with Nancy Jickels and Jennifer Mackie, co-chairs of the NWP campaign
• A February 17 fundraiser at Judge Begbie’s Tavern ($30 per person, limited tickets remaining)

Listeners are reminded that future NW City Matters events and campaign updates can be found at NWProgress.ca.

🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

📣 As the civic election season continues, now more than ever, local conversations matter.