ELECTED OFFICIALS
MEET COUNCILLOR DANIEL FONTAINE
Over the course of his 25+ year career, Quayside resident Daniel Fontaine has worked in the private and not-for-profit sectors as well as government. Most recently, he served as the Deputy Minister and Chief Executive Officer for Metis Nation BC. Fontaine is Metis and obtained his citizenship in 2020. Fontaine is the Principal at MICHIFCO Consulting.
After obtaining his political science degree from the University of Manitoba, Fontaine went on to complete the Media Writing and Public Relations certificate program at Langara College.
Fontaine currently serves on the Board of Directors for Hockey Canada. He was previously appointed to the Board of Directors for Douglas College and served on the BC College of Psychologists. He formerly served as the President for the Canadian Association for Long-Term Care and a board director for SafeCare BC.
In May 2018 the Minister of Health appointed Fontaine to the Federal Advisory Panel on Dementia. The Panel worked to support the implementation of Canada’s National Dementia Strategy.
Fontaine co-hosted #BCPoliTalk, a podcast/webcast that focused on BC politics. He also wrote a monthly political column for The Orca online. He is the former weekly civic affairs columnist for 24 Hours Newspaper and political commentator on Global TV & Global BC1 news channel. He actively participated in the weekly civic affairs panel for the top-rated Bill Good Show on CKNW radio.
Fontaine also served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Mayor of Vancouver. In 2015 he was appointed to the Board of Directors for SafeCare BC which has a mandate to reduce workplace injuries in the long-term care sector.
In March 2022 Fontaine was inducted into Canada’s Marketing, PR, Advertising and Communications Hall of Fame. In 2012 Fontaine was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for public service. He remains an active volunteer with the New Westminster Minor Hockey Association. In 2016 the NWMHA presented him with the Volunteer of the Year award.
Fontaine is married with one son and they live in the beautiful Moody Park neighbourhood. Fontaine has resided in New Westminster for over 20 years and he ran for a position on city council in 2018.
Councillor Daniel Fontaine
Cell 604-619-8423
Tel 604-527-4523
Email: dfontaine@newwestcity.ca
MEET COUNCILLOR PAUL MINHAS
Minhas is a well-known and proud resident of New Westminster’s downtown neighbourhood. He is the owner of Begbie’s Pub and the former Heritage Grill, both located on Columbia Street.
Paul is a passionate community leader and he’s been a strong advocate for key issues such as crime reduction and public safety as well as making sure we do everything possible to help revitalize our business districts that have been struggling with the pandemic and red tape.
Over the past 30+ years, as an employee, resident and business owner, Minhas aspired to make the New Westminster an even better place to live, work and play. With humble beginnings in May 2005, the Heritage Grill grew to become a destination and cultural hub for New Westminster and home to a diverse and eclectic community of artists and art lovers – from live music seven days a week, to life-drawing sessions, poetry, theatre, comedy, art exhibits and Drag shows.
Minhas was also involved in helping to kickstart New Westminster’s Annual Pride Week, the popular Show & Shine and the Food Truck Festival. In 2016, Minhas opened the doors to his second business, Begbie’s Pub, located on Columbia Street. He continued to attempt to provide a safe space for our diverse community. Whether at the Heritage Grill or at Begbie’s, Minhas has always looked at our city as one filled with untapped potential.
Councillor Paul Minhas
Cell: 604-619-1761
Tel: 604-527-4523
Email: pminhas@newwestcity.ca
MEET DANIELLE CONNELLY, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE
Danielle was first elected to the New Westminster School Board as a School Trustee in 2018 and is now serving in her second term. A student first and collaborative approach has always helped guide the work Danielle does at the board table including advocating for expedited provincial funding to support the growing capacity crisis in the district so all students can learn in school buildings, not portables. Danielle has also advocated for reduced wait times for students who have been identified as needing educational assessments, increased mental health and wellness funding and more in class supports for students. Holding the government accountable and ensuring student needs are front and centre in their budget decisions has long been at the forefront of all Danielle does for students. Danielle has served as the Operations, Policy and Planning Committee Chair for 5 years and is Vice Chair of the BCSTA Metro Branch.
Leading up to the 2018 election Danielle had already been taking a strong interest in local school issues, having served on the Skwo:wech Elementary and Ecole Glenbrook Middle School Parent Advisory Councils and by organizing the Rally to Rebuild New Westminster Secondary School in 2016. She is passionate about supporting public education, mental health and equal access to programs, clean/safe schools, technology and amenities and possesses a strong, let's get it done attitude.
Danielle has a back ground in communications and is a graduate of Carleton University with a BA Honours in Political Science and Communications. She has worked in the non-profit, public and private sectors and is also an entrepreneur having founded an online business dedicated to parents and thrifty living.
She has been actively involved with issues affecting the well-being of children throughout her career. She worked at UNICEF as an Information Officer with their Education for Development program and at ICBC as a Communications Specialist where her portfolio included helping to create curriculum materials for use in BC schools to support road safety and safe walk to school initiatives.
Danielle has been an active volunteer in the community, including serving as a member of the New Westminster Minor Hockey executive, Block Watch Captain, Century House and seniors’ program volunteer and as a coach and team manager with the New Westminster Minor Salmonbellies.
Danielle resides in the historic and growing neighbourhood of Sapperton with her husband Trevor and their two sons. Having grown up as an Army Brat, she loves the idea of her kids planting roots in such a diverse, beautiful, supportive city like New Westminster.
Trustee Danielle Connelly
Cell: 604 803-1657
Email: dconnelly@sd40.bc.ca
MEET KATHLEEN CARLSON, SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE
Born in New Westminster, Kathleen Carlsen attended Capilano College’s Business Administration program and has been a member of the Scottish Dance Teachers’ Alliance since 1986. Carlsen teaches dance, movement and music classes and has worked in the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of New Westminster for the past 32 years.
Carlsen is active in her community through her extensive volunteering commitments. In addition to chairing the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) for the past four years, Carlsen has been an active volunteer at three local schools’ Parent Advisory Councils, the Massey Victory Heights Residents Association, local youth sports, and as a team manager for NWSC.
Carlsen expects to continue her advocacy for New Westminster students and parents as a school trustee if elected. Her priorities are safe schools and improving support available for students. She aims to champion collaboration among the Board of Education, students, and parents through active and meaningful engagement.
Carlsen resides in Massey Heights with her husband Thomas and son.
Trustee Kathleen Carlsen
Email: kcarlsen@sd40.bc.ca