For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas

Episode 104: Porcellato & Morrison Announce!, Downloading Dilemma, TransLink Tax, Metro Matters, Communication Conundrum, Parking in Peril + more

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🚨 NEW EPISODE! For the Record – Episode 104

Downloading, New Taxes, Community Pushback & Two Big Candidate Announcements

This week’s episode of For the Record with Councillor Daniel Fontaine and Councillor Paul Minhas covers a packed list of major civic and regional issues affecting New Westminster residents.

🏛️ 1. “Downloading” Report Gets Voted Down

The episode opens with the story of the provincial downloading report initiated by the NWP.

City staff produced a framework to measure how much provincial and federal downloading is impacting New Westminster - but Community First councillors (all NDP-affiliated) voted it down 4–2.

As a result, the public may never get a clear picture how much NDP government cost-shifting is hitting municipal taxpayers.

🚗 2. New TransLink Taxes? Fontaine Responds on AM730

Popular AM 730 host Mike Smyth interviewed Daniel Fontaine about new tax ideas being floated by transit advocates - including:

  • A new tax on cars
  • A regional sales tax
  • Additional fees for Metro Vancouver commuters

Fontaine discusses real alternatives that don’t involve piling more taxes onto already overburdened residents.

💧 3. Councillors Across Metro Vancouver Push Back

Six councillors from five cities issued a public call asking Premier David Eby to pause approval of the 10-year Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Management Plan, citing poor consultation with member municipalities.

FTR features a CTV News story summarizing the concerns.

📣 4. Improving Communications at City Hall

Another NWP motion returned from staff - this one aimed at improving communications and engagement on major projects in New Westminster.

After years of hearing from residents frustrated with last-minute notices and weak consultation, the motion opens the door to stronger communication practices across the city.

🚘 5. Delegations of the Week: Parking Loss on 13th Street

Instead of "letters of the week," the podcast spotlights two impressive delegations:

  • Danielle
  • Zach

Both spoke passionately at City Hall about the impacts of parking loss on 13th Street, and the podcast shares clips from their presentations.

💙 6. NWP Fundraiser Sets New Record

The NWP’s November 20th fundraiser was the most successful in the organization’s history, showing strong momentum and community enthusiasm heading into 2026.

Fontaine and Minhas discuss what this means in the fight against the powerful District Labour Council (Community First) machine.

🏘️ 7. NW City Matters Forum – November 26

The next NW City Matters event is happening on November 26 at 726 12th Street.

Residents are encouraged to attend and participate in shaping New Westminster’s future.

🗳️ 8. Two New NWP Candidates Announced

FTR closes with some major political news:

  • Ray Porcellato, General Manager of the Salmonbellies
  • Maryann Morrison, Executive Director of the North Fraser Métis Association


Both have officially announced they are running for City Council under the NWP banner.

These strong additions significantly bolster the team - and two more council candidates and seven school board candidates are still to come.

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

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For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul MinhasBy Daniel Fontaine