🎧 This Week on For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

There’s no shortage of hot topics on this week’s For the Record — from public safety and civic engagement to bike lanes, bus shelters, and a rare public apology.

🏞️ Pier Park Patrols: $400K Security Boost Proposed

We kick off with the future of New Westminster’s waterfront. A new city staff report recommends nearly $400,000 in added foot patrols and security upgrades at Westminster Pier Park — a response to over $460,000 in damages reported in just 18 months. We share coverage from Global BC and a recent AM 730 Jill Bennett Show interview to dive deeper into what this means for park users and taxpayers.

🚨 Crisis Response Pilot Extended (Until After the Election)

Originally slated to wrap by August 2026, the city’s Crisis Response Pilot Project — aimed at reducing public disorder downtown — has now been extended to December 31, 2026, leaving the next city council to decide its future. We explore what’s at stake and why the timeline shift matters.

🔇 Quiet Zones: Do You Live in One?

Many New West residents don’t realize they already live in a designated quiet zone. Now, council is directing staff to map them out and explore more aggressive steps to tackle vehicular noise pollution city-wide.

🗣️ 10 Delegations, 1 Packed Council Meeting

Monday’s council meeting saw a full lineup of speakers, including:

• Newly elected MP Jake Sawatzky, promising better intergovernmental collaboration and announcing a move to Uptown
• Three residents speaking out against the London Street bike lane, citing a lack of consultation and flawed engagement
• A May Day celebration advocate, backing a motion by Coun. Paul Minhas to better support legacy organizations in the community grants process

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Week 2025 Announced

The Mayor has proclaimed August 7–17 as Pride Week in New Westminster. The NWP elector organization will host a booth — and all four caucus members plan to be there to meet residents.

🚌 Holy Micromanagement, Batman!

That’s the phrase that kicked off a spicy debate over a motion from Coun. Nadine Nakagawa to secure funding for three new bus shelters. The number was arbitrary, the priorities named — prompting a flashback to her own earlier critique of “micromanagement” on council.

🙏 An On-Air Apology

Daniel Fontaine closes out the show by addressing his recent public apology to New West residents after an outburst in council where he referred to a comment from the Mayor as a “cheap shot.” He reflects on why the remark violated council’s procedures — and how he plans to do better.

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🎙️ Episode 87: Mayor Pay, Mega Meetings & Civic Spending Scrutiny

In Episode 87 of For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas, the hosts dive into a range of timely and thought-provoking civic issues.

The episode kicks off with a look at how much Metro Vancouver mayors are earning 💰—including base salaries, per diems, and expense claims. With all the 2024 Statements of Financial Information (SOFI) now released, the numbers are in: Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie tops the list at a whopping $397,000 🥇. Close behind are Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West, each bringing in over $350,000 🥈🥉. Could these paycheques finally lead to provincial salary caps by 2026? 🧐

Next, the hosts preview the July 7th regular council meeting in New Westminster—already being dubbed the “Mother of All Meetings” 🗂️ due to its packed agenda. One highlight: a new report revealing consolidated pay figures for all elected officials. Finally, residents can see what their local politicians earn in one place 👀.

Also on the docket:

• The Crisis Response Team pilot project is seeking an extension through 2025 🚨. Council will consider requesting additional funding from senior levels of government. If that fails, local taxpayers may be left footing the bill 💸.
• Has funding for Hyack and May Day really gone up over the past 10 years, as one Community First councillor claimed? 🤔 The staff report is in—and the numbers may surprise you 📊.

Several councillor motions are also up for debate, including:

• Creating quiet zones 🛑
• Adding more bus shelters 🚏 and speed bumps 🛞
• Funding support for legacy non-profits 🤝
• Connecting the downtown and Sapperton riverfronts 🌊🏙️

We also share with you an interview with AM 730 host Jas Johal. Simi Sara and Vancouver Sun columnist call Daniel Fontaine 'a renegade' - find out why. Listen to a Global TV story on the Metro Mayor pay scales for 2024. Lastly, we'll play you a clip of a flip flop by Metro Vancouver Chair Hurley who did a 180 on the need for a salary cap.

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🎙️ Canada Day Edition: For the Record – Hot Topics in New West

In this special Canada Day edition of For the Record, Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas dive into the biggest issues stirring conversation in New Westminster right now—affecting residents, local businesses, and city hall.

🚨 Supervised Drug Site Sparks Heated Debate

The proposed extension of a temporary permit for the downtown supervised drug consumption site has ignited a much livelier debate than when it was first approved back in March 2021. Why the shift in tone—and what does it signal for future decisions?

💸 Mayors Making Nearly $400K?

Some Metro Vancouver mayors are pulling in eye-popping salaries. Burnaby's Mike Hurley and Richmond’s Malcolm Brodie top the list—earning almost $400,000 a year. Should mayoral salaries be capped at the same level as a B.C. Cabinet minister? We weigh the options, including recommendations from a recent Deloitte governance review.

🌡️ Too Hot to Learn? AC in Portables Under Review

City council is now asking its legal department to explore whether a new bylaw could require local schools to install air conditioning in portables. With students and teachers sweating through heat waves, is this a step toward cooler classrooms—or government overreach?

💡 Heritage Lamp Standards: Saved, Then Scrapped?

Just when it looked like the historic Massey Victory Heights lamp posts may have been saved, a motion from the Mayor sent the plan in a surprising new direction. Why the reversal—and what happens next?

🚲 Bike Lane Battle in the West End

Dozens of residents filled city hall in white t-shirts to oppose a proposed bike lane on London Street. Their concern? Lack of consultation and limited design options. A motion from Coun. Minhas could pause the project—will it succeed?

🇨🇦 Thank You, Coun. Minhas? A Cooler Canada Day Ahead

With temperatures expected to reach 28°C, New West residents are thanking Paul Minhas for helping move this year’s Canada Day festivities from sun-scorched Pier Park to the shady canopy of Queen’s Park. Will this become the new tradition?

🎧 All this—and more—on this week’s Canada Day episode of For the Record.

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