Episode 115: featuring guest host Lucas Steele: New West the city to watch! Student safety and mental health; Budget cut impacts and much more!

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.