NEWS

New Westminster Progressives (NWP) have nominated a slate of 13 candidates in the upcoming municipal and school board elections.

New Westminster Progressives (NWP) have nominated a slate of 13 candidates in the upcoming municipal and school board elections.

New Westminster mayoral candidate and current councillor Daniel Fontaine is proposing a tribute to honour late hockey icon Ernie “Punch” McLean at Queen’s Park Arena. At the New Westminster City Council meeting Monday, June 8, Fontaine will present a motion asking city staff to engage with the Punch McLean Foundation to explore a commemorative installation to recognize McLean’s contributions to hockey and to the city.

Episode 120: This week, Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas break down one of the busiest City Council meetings of the year and tackle some of the biggest issues facing New Westminster residents. 🏒 HONOURING A LEGEND Council debates a motion recognizing New Westminster Bruins icon Ernie “Punch” McLean. Daniel and Paul discuss the growing support for a permanent tribute to one of the most influential figures in local hockey history. ⚽ $3.5 MILLION FOR SPORTS & RECREAT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New Westminster, B.C. (May 19, 2026) — The New West Progressives (NWP) today announced the launch of “New West Works,” a new economic and affordability-focused policy initiative aimed at supporting local businesses, restoring fiscal accountability, revitalizing downtown, and strengthening New Westminster’s economy. The announcement follows a recent NWP business roundtable attended by local business owners and community stakeholders from across New Westm

🎙️ NEW EPISODE OF FOR THE RECORD 🎙️ This week, Councillor Paul Minhas is joined by guest co-host NWP school trustee candidate Liz Fajber while Daniel Fontaine is away - and there is LOTS to cover in New Westminster! 👀 🗳️ The episode kicks off with a recap of the NW City Matters community forums and online survey. From business issues to schools and community priorities, hundreds of residents turned out to participate, and more than 500 people have already completed the su

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 t

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