『For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas』のカバーアート

For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

著者: Daniel Fontaine
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Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas are City Councillors in New Westminster. They regularly explore a range of topics of interest to urbanistas! They bring guests in studio from all sides of the political spectrum and aren't afraid to take on some of the most challenging issues facing our cities. Crumbling infrastructure, taxes, homelessness, traffic, urban sprawl - you name it - you'll hear about it on For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas.

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政治・政府 政治学
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  • Episode 107: Exclusive interviews with Karima Budhwani & Rick Folka, Budget 2026, False Accusations of Lying + more!
    2025/12/13

    🎙️ 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 Fontaine and Karima Budhwani - former NWP president and past council candidate.

    Karima discusses:

    • Why she has decided to run again
    • The issues she’s most passionate about in New Westminster
    • Her perspective on community leadership and the road to the 2026 civic election


    It’s a thoughtful and candid discussion about values, priorities, and the future of the city.

    🗳️ Exclusive Interview: Rick Folka

    Next, Fontaine sits down with Rick Folka, another newly announced council candidate who also ran in the 2022 civic election.

    Rick shares:

    • What motivated him to put his name forward again in 2026
    • The challenges he sees facing New Westminster
    • What excites him about the upcoming campaign and community engagement


    💰 Budget 2026: Cutting $1.5M to Ease the Tax Burden

    The conversation then turns to the 2026 budget, where Councillors Fontaine and Minhas introduce a motion to trim $1.5 million from city spending in an effort to ease what is shaping up to be a record property tax increase.

    New Westminster is now on track to potentially hold the highest cumulative property tax increase in Metro Vancouver over a four-year term - exceeding 30%.

    🔥 Mayor’s Council Outburst

    The podcast features an excerpt from a heated moment at City Hall, where Mayor Patrick Johnstone falsely but publicly accuses Daniel Fontaine of lying about tax increases. The exchange is played in full, allowing listeners to hear exactly what was said on the council floor.

    🔟 Top 10 New West Stories Vodcast Preview

    To close the episode, Fontaine and Minhas preview their annual Top 10 Civic & Political Stories vodcast, recorded once a year.

    Stories likely to make the list include:

    • The London Street bike lane controversy
    • Safety upgrades at 6th Avenue & 2nd Street
    • Nearly 30% property tax increases over four years
    • Costco traffic chaos in Queensborough
    • Liberal Jake Sawatzky defeating NDP Peter Julian in the federal election


    🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

    📣 If you enjoy the podcast, please share this episode with friends, family, and neighbours — community conversations matter.

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    58 分
  • Episode 106: Police Budget Approval, Zach is Back, Flashlight Consultations, Nearly 30% Tax Increases, Deja Vu x Two and much more!!
    2025/12/06
    🎄 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 LookThe 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 - meaning the police budget would have failed, as Councillor Ruby Campbell was not present.The podcast shares:🎙️ Coun. Nakagawa’s remarks, after she voted against the budget🎙️ Mayor Johnstone’s comments claiming he has always supported police budgets👮 The Chief of Police’s concerns about a decade of underfundingWith policing as the largest line item in the city budget, the discussion raises important questions about priorities and public safety.🚗 2. “Zach Is Back”: Parking Chaos on 13th StreetListeners hear a compelling five-minute presentation from Danielle and Zach, landlords who renovated their apartment building at 13th Street and 7th Avenue.They request more time to meet the city’s compliance deadlines and highlight the severe impact of losing up to 50% of on-street parking, which would directly affect their tenants.Both councillors note that Fontaine, Minhas, Campbell, and the Mayor visited the building to see conditions firsthand. The saga continues - and the podcast is following closely.🔦 3. Queen’s Park Consultation… Bring a Flashlight?What do a flashlight, winter coat, and umbrella have in common?According to Gail North, President of the Queen’s Park Residents’ Association - they might have been needed at a recent city consultation event.Held outdoors on the porch of Irving House between 3–5 PM, the session grew darker by the minute as the sun set at 4:19 PM. Space was limited, some residents stood outside, and the setup left many puzzled.Fontaine has requested clarity from staff on whether porch consultations are considered “standard practice.”💸 4. Operating Budget = 5.6% Tax Increase (and Nearly 30% in Four Years)The city’s operating budget now comes in at:4.6% base increase, plus1% capital levyTotal: 5.6% increase for 2025, bringing New Westminster to nearly 30% in cumulative tax increases over four years - likely the highest in Metro Vancouver during this term of council.The discussion highlights affordability concerns for residents, seniors, families, and businesses.🕰️ 5. Déjà Vu: Century House Hours Return… AgainCoun. Ruby Campbell is now proposing the reopening of Century House on Sundays - raising questions about:Who cut Sunday hours originally?Why have they not been restored until now?How does this relate to Fontaine’s earlier motion calling for a similar review back in 2023?As the councillors note: It’s déjà vu all over again.❄️ 6. ACORN Presents on Air Conditioner AccessACORN advocates for a program enabling low-income residents to install air conditioners. Fontaine reminds listeners that he previously proposed a $500 AC grant through the Electrical Utility - a low-barrier idea that was rejected after referral.🎄 7. Around Town: Community Spirit on Full DisplayThis week’s “around town” segment features highlights from:The Sapperton Pensioners Hall Christmas PartyThe West End Residents Association meetingA business association gathering in SappertonThe Hyack Annual Christmas EventThe launch of the new Freshet Newspaper, now printing citywide🔟 8. Top 10 New West Stories Preview & Holiday BreakThe popular “Top 10 New West Stories” vodcast is coming soon, and listeners are invited to help shape the list. The podcast will take a short Christmas break after December 19, returning in early January.🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📢 If you enjoy the show, please share this episode with neighbours, friends, and family. Community engagement matters more than ever.
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    59 分
  • Episode 105: FIFA Plan Gets Kicked Around, Queensborough Bus Petition, Costco Traffic Chaos & Connelly Promoted
    2025/11/28

    🚨 NEW EPISODE! For the Record – Episode 105

    FIFA Funding Fight, NW City Matters Momentum & Queensborough Concerns

    This week’s episode of For the Record with Councillor Daniel Fontaine and Councillor Paul Minhas dives into a major debate at City Hall, strong community engagement across New Westminster, and big updates affecting Queensborough and the school district.

    FIFA Funding Showdown at City Hall

    The episode opens with a deep dive into the heated debate over whether New Westminster should spend $320,000 of taxpayer money on local FIFA World Cup “activation” events and parties.

    The initial motion, championed by the Mayor, failed 4–3, with two Community First councillors breaking ranks. A secondary motion later passed, but it could still cost taxpayers over $200,000.

    To bring listeners the full picture, the podcast features:

    🎥 A Global News story outlining the controversy

    🎙️ Jill Bennett (AM 730) interviewing Daniel Fontaine on why he voted NO

    🎙️ Jas Johal (AM 730) interviewing Paul Minhas about both his FIFA NO vote and the current 3.5% climate action tax

    🏘️ NW City Matters: Another Packed House

    The popular NW City Matters series continued this week in the West End / Connaught Heights neighbourhood, drawing 50+ residents for lively discussions on bike lanes, taxes, crime, road repair issues, and more.

    The full NWP council team attended, including:

    • Coun. Daniel Fontaine, Mayoral candidate
    • Ken Armstrong, Council candidate
    • Ray Porcellato, Council candidate
    • Maryann Morrison, Council candidate
    • Coun. Paul Minhas, Council candidate

    Residents shared strong concerns and practical ideas and the energy behind NW City Matters continues to grow.

    🚍 Queensborough Issues: School Bus + Costco Traffic

    Two key issues affecting Queensborough residents are explored:

    1. Conservative MLA Steve Kooner’s petition in the BC Legislature calling for dedicated school bus service in Queensborough - as promised by the NDP government in the last election.
    2. Significant traffic impacts linked to the newly opened Costco Business Centre.

    The podcast features MLA Kooner’s remarks in the Legislature and discusses what’s next for the community.

    🎒 Leadership Change at the School Board

    For the first time since being elected in 2018, NWP School Trustee Danielle Connelly has been chosen as Vice-Chair of the New Westminster School Board.

    The episode breaks down the political dynamics behind the decision and what it may signal for the year ahead in the civic council campaign.

    🎄 Upcoming Episodes & Operation IRV

    As the podcast heads toward its annual Christmas break after December 19, Daniel and Paul preview the popular Top 10 Stories of the Year Vodcast and invite listeners to submit their own picks.

    The episode closes with a community call-to-action:

    💌 Operation IRV

    Irv is a New Westminster veteran who turned 100 years old on November 13. Community members are encouraged to help reach the goal of sending 100 Christmas cards to Irv this holiday season.

    🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

    📢 Please share this week’s episode with friends, family, and neighbours as local engagement matters!

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    51 分
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