NEWS

April 24, 2026 (New Westminster, BC) - Within 20 days of 12-year incumbent Patrick Johnstone’s decision to seek yet another term in office, 75% (6 out of 8) of his elected Community First (CF) colleagues in New Westminster have decided to quit and not seek re-election in October. CF’s entire School Board Caucus has decided to keep their names off Mr. Johnstone’s slate this year. “By refusing to put their name on the ballot with the current Mayor, these departing politicians

April 22, 2026 (New Westminster, BC) – NWP Mayoral Candidate, Councillor Daniel Fontaine today announced NWP School Trustees Danielle Connelly and Kathleen Carlsen will seek re-election in the October 2026 municipal election. Danielle and Kathleen join Don Doyle, Liz Fajber, Anita Dunn and Lucas Steele, who have also been announced as NWP School Board candidates. “We are very excited Kathleen and Danielle have decided to run again for School Board,” said Councillor Fontain

🎙️ 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. 🏊 $114 Million Aquatic Centre – Where Was the Funding? The episode opens with a discussion on the final report for the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre, the $114 mil

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🎙️ 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

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

🎙️ For the Record – Episode 114 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 timelin

March 1, 2026 (New Westminster, BC) – NWP Mayoral Candidate, Councillor Daniel Fontaine today announced Queensborough Parent Advisory Council Chair Don Doyle will be an NWP School Board Trustee candidate for the 2026 municipal election. Don joins Liz Fajber, Anita Dunn and Lucas Steele, who have also been announced as School Board candidates by the NWP. “We are thrilled to welcome Don to the NWP team of School Board and City Council candidates for the October election,”

🎙️ 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 the

🎙️ 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. 🕯️ A Somber Reflection: Tumbler Ridge Tragedy The episode opens with commentary on the recent T

Click image for PDF download. New Westminster NWP City Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas are at the BC Legislature this week to continue their push for permanent Queensborough school bus funding. With a pilot-project ending in June, Councillors are reminding MLAs of the NDP government’s 2024 promise to make the service permanent and free for parents. Councillors Fontaine and Minhas have also introduced a Motion for next week’s City Council meeting, calling on New

February 11, 2026 (New Westminster, BC) - Mayoral Candidate, Councillor Daniel Fontaine today confirmed the selection of Anita Dunn as New Westminster Progressive (NWP) School Board Trustee candidate for the 2026 municipal election. Liz Fajber and Lucas Steele were announced as NWP School Board candidates in January. “We are very excited to have Anita joining the NWP team of School Board and City Council candidates for the October election,” said Councillor Fontaine. “Her

🎙️ For the Record – Episode 111 Density Debates, Metro Accountability & Campaign Momentum This week’s edition of For the Record features Ken Armstrong , Queensborough resident and NWP city council candidate, joining Paul Minhas as guest co-host while Daniel Fontaine is away. The episode tackles major planning decisions, regional accountability, and growing momentum as the civic campaign season ramps up. 🗳️ A New Guest Co-Host The episode opens with Armstrong and Minhas pr

🎙️ For the Record – Election Year Conversations Continue Metro Governance, the Pier That Never Returned & New Voices for 2026 This week’s edition of For the Record features Maryann Morrison , NWP council candidate, sitting in as guest co-host alongside Coun. Daniel Fontaine , as the podcast continues its deep dive into the issues shaping New Westminster’s 2026 civic election . 🏛️ Metro Vancouver Governance: Hope vs. Skepticism The episode opens with a discussion on Metro

🎙️ For the Record – Election Year Edition (Welcome to 2026) Housing, Arts, Taxes & a Major Exclusive Interview The first For the Record episode of 2026 sets the tone for an election year in New Westminster , with a packed program covering housing, affordability, culture, and the politics already shaping the campaign ahead. 🗳️ Welcome to 2026: Karima Budhwani Joins as Co-Host The episode opens with a welcome to 2026 , marking the start of a pivotal election year. Former NWP

NWP Mayoral candidate Coun. Daniel Fontaine has a special message wishing everyone in New Westminster the best of the holiday season! Our NWP team hope you have the opportunity to celebrate surrounded by family and friends this year.

🔟🎙️ It’s Back! The Top 10 New West Stories of 2025 The annual Top 10 “For the Record” Vodcast has arrived - and this year’s countdown is packed with some of the biggest civic and political moments New Westminster has seen all year. Hosted by Coun. Daniel Fontaine and Coun. Paul Minhas , this special episode looks back at the stories that sparked debate, packed council chambers, dominated headlines, and shaped the conversation across the city in 2025. 👀 What made the list?

🎙️ NEW EPISODE! For the Record – Episode 107 Two Exclusive NWP Candidate Interviews, Budget Battles & a Heated Council Moment This week’s episode of For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas features two exclusive interviews , a deep dive into the 2026 budget debate, and a preview of the much-anticipated Top 10 New West Political Stories vodcast. 🗳️ Exclusive Interview: Karima Budhwani The episode opens with an in-depth, exclusive conversation between Daniel Fon

The NWP today confirmed the selection of Karima Budhwani and Rick Folka as their final two Council Candidates for the 2026 municipal election. Karima, a long-time resident of New Westminster and Rick, who was born and raised in the city, previously ran for the NWP in the 2022 municipal election. In September, the NWP announced New Westminster Councillor Daniel Fontaine will be the elector organization's 2026 Mayoral candidate. Since then, Councillor Paul Minhas , 2022 Ma

🎄 NEW EPISODE! For the Record Police Budget Drama, Parking Battles, Flashlights at City Hall & a 30% Tax Increase? This week’s For the Record features a festive pre-Christmas theme - but the topics are anything but quiet. 🚔 1. Police Budget Passes 5–1: A Closer Look The episode opens with a detailed breakdown of the 2025 NW Police Department budget vote . The budget passed 5–1 , but had Councillors Fontaine and Minhas voted no, the result would have been a 3–3 tie - me