🎙️ For the Record – Episode 103

Two Special Guests, City Matters Momentum & A Look at New West’s Rising Costs

Episode 103 of For the Record with Councillor Daniel Fontaine and Councillor Paul Minhas features two special in-studio guests and a deep dive into sports, community engagement, and the latest developments at City Hall.

🥍 Exclusive Interview: Salmonbellies GM Ray Porcellato

Councillor Minhas speaks with Ray Porcellato, the highly regarded and well-known general manager of the New Westminster Salmonbellies.

In the interview, Ray discusses:

• The team’s emotional and hard-fought run for the Mann Cup
• The state of local sport and recreation facilities in New Westminster
• What more can be done to support youth athletes across lacrosse, hockey, soccer, and more
• How investments in sport and recreation in New West can reduce crime in our city

Ray’s longstanding involvement in local sports gives this segment real depth and community insight.

👥 Exclusive Interview: Maryann Morrison: NW City Matters Update

Coun. Daniel Fontaine sits down for an interview with Maryann Morrison, volunteer chair of the NWP and facilitator for the new NW City Matters initiative.

A longtime Sapperton resident, Maryann shares:

• Her vision for City Matters
• What she heard from residents at the first Massey Victory Heights event
• Why neighbourhood-driven engagement will be vital in the months ahead

Her update offers listeners an inside look at how the initiative is evolving.

🎥 Interview Excerpt: Daniel & Daniel

This episode also includes an excerpt from Daniel Ampong’s vodcast, where the Columbia Street small-business owner sat down with Councillor Fontaine for a one-hour conversation.

Listeners will hear part of that interview - Daniel interviewing Daniel - offering a unique perspective from a local entrepreneur’s point of view.

🏛️ City Council Highlights: Rising Rates & a New New West Tax coming?

Fontaine and Minhas wrap up the episode with a quick review of recent council decisions, including:

• Large utility rate increases proposed over the next five years
• A new 1% capital levy (effectively an added tax) to help pay for a growing list of capital projects - some of which critics describe as mayoral “pet projects”

They outline what these financial changes could mean for residents and businesses.

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

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