For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

Daniel Fontaine

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.

  1. Episode 93: Heritage Lights, Speed Humps, Eby’s Silence & Go Bellies Go!

    3 HR AGO

    Episode 93: Heritage Lights, Speed Humps, Eby’s Silence & Go Bellies Go!

    🎧 For the Record – Episode 93Code of Conduct, Cheeseburgers & Crickets from Eby In this week’s episode of For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas, we're digging into everything from political accountability to… free McDonald's burgers? 🍔 🧑‍⚖️ Should Civic Politicians Follow a Provincial Code of Conduct? Daniel Fontaine joined guest host Robin Gill on The Jas Johal Show (AM 730) to discuss how New Westminster’s mayor breached the city’s Code of Conduct Bylaw — and why not every city has one. Should the province step in and make it mandatory? 💬 Addiction, Homelessness & Hope We share a compelling excerpt from Episode 92, featuring Jeremy Cross, author of “Finding My Lost Life.” His personal story of addiction and recovery is both sobering and inspiring. 💡 Lighting Controversy in Massey Victory Heights What started as a simple plan to replace heritage lamp standards has sparked major pushback. Nearly 100 residents packed a city workshop — and things got heated. 🍟 Mayor McCheese? A Global News investigation reveals that Richmond’s Mayor Malcolm Brodie approved free McDonald’s cheeseburgers after staff had already attended an all-you-can-eat Christmas dinner. This story is part of a growing concern about overspending and poor oversight at City Hall. 🧍‍♂️ Where’s Premier Eby? It’s been more than 40 days since Metro Vancouver killed the independent review into the $4B wastewater treatment plant fiasco. Premier David Eby once promised to step in — but now? Silence. 📋 Council Recap: Speed Humps, Legacy Orgs & More The August 25th New West Council meeting was packed. We break down motions and debates, including: Reviewing the city’s speed hump policyDesignating legacy organizationsProposing a 50% increase to the community grants program📆 What’s Ahead: Recovery Day & Mayoral Announcement Sept 7: Join us at Recovery Day in downtown New WestSept 18: Get ready — NWP’s new mayoral candidate will be announced!Oh, and the Salmonbellies are packing Queen’s Park Arena — can they bring home the Mann Cup? (No predictions… just Go Bellies Go!)🎙️ For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 💬 If you enjoy the podcast, share it with friends and family — help us grow the conversation in New West and beyond!

    1h 3m
  2. EPISODE 92: Exclusive Interview - Drugs, Jail, Redemption - Jeremy’s Story

    1 DAY AGO

    EPISODE 92: Exclusive Interview - Drugs, Jail, Redemption - Jeremy’s Story

    🎧 For the Record: A Conversation with Author Jeremy Cross – From Addiction to Recovery This week, For the Record features a powerful and deeply personal conversation with Jeremy Cross, author of the memoir “Finding My Lost Life: The Fall to Addiction, The Rise to Recovery.” Jeremy’s story is raw, real, and ultimately hopeful — a first-hand account of how drug addiction took hold of his life, and how he found the strength to reclaim it. He shares what led him down the path of substance use, the moment that changed everything, and how time behind bars became an unexpected turning point. The conversation also explores: Life in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside during his years of addictionHis reflections on New Westminster’s supervised injection siteAdvice for politicians who overlook the concerns of local residents and business owners affected by nearby drug use 🎤 This exclusive interview was recorded ahead of Recovery Day, taking place in New Westminster on Sunday, September 7 — an annual event that celebrates recovery and brings awareness to addiction issues. If this episode resonates with you, please share it with your friends and family. For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. To learn more about Jeremy Cross, visit 👉 www.jeremycross.ca His book is available now on Amazon.

    36 min
  3. Episode 91: Reddit Rumours, Council Preview, Pee and Poo Mascots, Summer Recap, Mayoral Announcement

    23 AUG

    Episode 91: Reddit Rumours, Council Preview, Pee and Poo Mascots, Summer Recap, Mayoral Announcement

    🚨 New Episode Alert: For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas 🎙️ This week’s episode is packed with hot topics you won’t want to miss: ✅ Aug 25th Council Meeting Preview – A jam-packed agenda! Council will debate whether to provide multi-year funding for long-standing local non-profits and whether to boost community grant funding by 2026 — conveniently, an election year. ✅ Metro Vancouver at the PNE – Nearly $450,000 of your tax dollars spent on popcorn, giveaways, and even a $2,000 e-bike at their infamous “pee and poo” booth. You can’t make this up! ✅ Media Spotlight – Daniel joined The Jas Johal Show to talk Metro’s PNE presence. Plus, shout-outs from Robin Gill and Bill Tieleman for holding Metro accountable. ✅ Reddit Rumours – Is Fontaine pushing for Metro privatization? Nope. We debunk the latest political conspiracy floating around online. ✅ Summer Recap & What’s Ahead – From Queensborough Children’s Festival to Pride and Fridays on Front, NWP’s booth has been everywhere this summer. Looking forward: Sept 18th brings the big NWP mayoral candidate announcement (tickets moving fast!). ✅ Coming Soon – Author Jeremy Cross joins us in early September to share a different perspective on supervised injection sites. That episode will kick off our return to a weekly format. 👉 Make sure to follow For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms — and share with family and friends to help spread the word!

    58 min
  4. Episode 90: Billions Over Budget & a Basement Bistro

    8 AUG

    Episode 90: Billions Over Budget & a Basement Bistro

    🎧 This Week on For the Record: Secret Votes, Costly Cafés & a Mayoral Reveal Coun. Daniel Fontaine flies solo this week as Coun. Paul Minhas is away on holiday — but there’s no shortage of hot topics to dig into on this episode of For the Record. 🚫 Metro Vancouver: Transparency on Trial? We start with the bombshell decision by Metro Vancouver directors to halt an independent review into the disastrous North Shore wastewater treatment project. Once pegged at $700M, the project’s price tag has exploded to nearly $4B — and now, thanks to a behind-closed-doors vote, the public may have to wait until 2027 (after the court case wraps) for answers. Is this move a step toward accountability — or just more damage to Metro’s already fragile credibility? 🎙️ Media Reactions: CBC, CKNW & Global Speak Out This episode features commentary and coverage from top media outlets: CBC Early Edition host Stephen Quinn chats with Daniel FontaineJas Johal of AM 730 weighs in with his own pointed takeGlobal BC rounds it out with a full story featuring Fontaine himself 🍽️ Bistro 511: A Costly Café or a Bottomless Pit? Global TV is shining a light on Bistro 511, the little-known 'cafeteria' tucked away in the basement of city hall. Used mainly by city staff, the bistro has cost taxpayers over $360,000 in subsidies over the past three years — and it continues to run a deficit. We unpack the findings and ask: Is this really the best use of public money? 🏚️ New West Ranks #2 in Homelessness According to the latest homeless count, New Westminster now has the second highest per capita homelessness rate in Metro Vancouver. With a local MLA in Cabinet and another serving as Speaker of the Legislature, why do the numbers keep rising — and could new provincial mental health, housing, or treatment investments make a difference? If so, what's taking so long? 🌈 NWP Summer Circuit & a Mayoral Reveal on the Horizon The NWP have been making the rounds this summer — including stops at the New West Farmer’s Market, Fridays on Front, and the upcoming Pride Festival on August 16. 📅 Mark your calendar: On September 18, NWP will make a major announcement — unveiling their new candidate for Mayor of New Westminster. 🍔 In the meantime, join the crew for the next Burger & Beer Fundraiser at Kelly O’Bryan’s on August 19! 🎧 For the Record is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 💬 Enjoying the show? Share it with your friends, family, and neighbours — word of mouth helps keep local conversations alive.

    54 min
  5. Episode 89: Mayoral Announcement, Downtown Crime, E-scooter Injuries, The Record 2.0?, New Minister, Take out the Trash

    26 JUL

    Episode 89: Mayoral Announcement, Downtown Crime, E-scooter Injuries, The Record 2.0?, New Minister, Take out the Trash

    🎧 For the Record – Summer Heat, Big Headlines & Political Teasers After a two-week break, For the Record with Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas is back — and packed with everything you’ve missed (and then some). From billion-dollar blunders to e-scooter injuries and a potential NWP mayoral announcement, this 60-minute episode is stacked with stories making waves in New Westminster and beyond. 💰 Metro Vancouver’s $4 Billion Wastewater Mess We kick things off with breaking news from Metro Vancouver, where officials have abruptly hit pause on an independent review into the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant fiasco. Once a $700M project, the cost has ballooned to nearly $4 billion — and now the public may never get the answers they were promised. Why the silence? 🛑 Downtown Disorder: Global News Hits the Streets A new three-part series by Global BC puts a spotlight on crime and public disorder in downtown New West. Small business owners share how rising incidents are affecting their livelihoods — while some local Community First politicians insist the stats show things aren't that bad. So, what’s the reality on the ground? 🛴 E-Scooters & Flag Swaps: On The Mike Smyth Show Daniel Fontaine joined The Mike Smyth Show to discuss the surge in e-scooter injuries reported by the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Are Canadian cities doing enough to protect riders and pedestrians alike? And what’s the real story behind the U.S. flag being finally being removed from Queen’s Park Arena? 🗞️ Saving Local News: Who’s Really Behind the $100K Ask? A new campaign titled “Save Our Local News” is aiming to raise $100,000 to launch a community newspaper this fall. But questions are surfacing: Who’s behind it? What’s Unifor’s role? And who is the Union Cooperative Initiative that’s supporting the drive? Veteran reporter Theresa McManus presented the pitch at city council — but not everyone is sold. 🏛️ Cabinet Shuffle: Christine Boyle Takes Over Municipal Affairs BC’s new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Christine Boyle, brings close ties to Premier David Eby and a track record of hard left politics. Will she push for overdue reforms at Metro Vancouver? Or will it be more of the same under a different name? 📣 Big NWP Announcement Coming September 18 Mark your calendars. Coun. Paul Minhas teases a major announcement that could shake up the 2026 municipal election. Could this be the moment New Westminster’s mayoral race officially kicks off? ☕ The Future of Councillor Cafés With the election countdown beginning, what’s next for the ever-popular Councillor Cafés? Will they continue into the campaign period, or be shelved until after votes are cast? 🎙️ All this and more on a special summer edition of For the Record. Catch us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Like what you hear? Share the podcast with friends, family, and neighbours — word of mouth is how we grow our local listener base!

    1h 4m
  6. Episode 88: Pier Park Vandals, Crisis Response, Quiet Zones, MP in the House, May Day, Bike Lane Survey, Pride Week, Bus Shelters & Public Apology

    11 JUL

    Episode 88: Pier Park Vandals, Crisis Response, Quiet Zones, MP in the House, May Day, Bike Lane Survey, Pride Week, Bus Shelters & Public Apology

    🎧 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 UptownThree residents speaking out against the London Street bike lane, citing a lack of consultation and flawed engagementA 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. 🎙️ If you're enjoying the podcast, don't forget to follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon — and help spread the word by sharing with friends and family. Your support helps keep the conversation going in New Westminster!

    1h 5m
  7. Episode 87: King of Compensation, Media Roundup, Council Countdown, Monitoring Motions and more...

    5 JUL

    Episode 87: King of Compensation, Media Roundup, Council Countdown, Monitoring Motions and more...

    🎙️ 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. If you enjoy For the Record, don’t forget to share it with friends, family, and colleagues! 💬 Follow and listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts 🎧📱.

    57 min
  8. Episode 86: Drug Debate, Capping Costs, Overheating Portables, London Calling, Massey Lamps, Secure Funding + Canada Day

    28 JUN

    Episode 86: Drug Debate, Capping Costs, Overheating Portables, London Calling, Massey Lamps, Secure Funding + Canada Day

    🎙️ 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. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon. If you enjoy the show, share it with your friends and family—and help spread the word!

    56 min
See All (110)

About

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.

Information

You Might Also Like