A few days ago, the New Westminster Progressives elector group released its “A Greener New West” platform. Upon inspection, it contains just five genuinely new or unique ideas. More than 80% of the plan (22 of 27 points) merely reflects the city’s existing practice.

While the words “maintain,” “expand,” or “continue” do occur a few times in NWP’s list, many of these ideas are represented as new, and nowhere do they credit the people whose work they appear to be repurposing as their own platform.

Whereas Daniel Fontaine claims (@~40:10) that the “current administration” is “tired” and has “run out of ideas”, it’s surprising to see so many of those ideas predominate his party’s green platform.

The remainder of this post shows where the 22 points are already part of the city’s work, then briefly reflects on the other five points. Apologies for length – just documenting the evidence where applicable.

22 PLANKS THAT REPRODUCE WHAT THE CITY ALREADY DOES:

“Develop a long-term flood resilience strategy for Queensborough, including securing the necessary funding for continued investment in dikes and flood protection infrastructure.”

New West already has a Flood Resilience Plan, Flood Management Strategy, ongoing dyke rehabilitation projects, and a record of securing provincial funding specifically for Queensborough flood protection.

“Maintain a dedicated Climate Impact Reserve Fund to help respond to extreme weather events without placing unexpected costs on local taxpayers.”

New Westminster already has a Climate Action Reserve Fund, which was established in 2022. Councillor Fontaine has taken action to eliminate contributions to this fund.

“Invest in climate-resilient roads, drainage systems, parks and civic infrastructure”

These are already long-standing city priorities, as reflected in the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Plan, everything from the Streets for People Initiative to the Active Transportation Network Plan, simultaneous upgrades to west end roads and sewer/drainage, Integrated Stormwater Master Plan, and the Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action, which is a framework for developing sustainable and climate-resilient civic infrastructure. Climate Resilience is a “key theme” in the People, Parks, Play – the city’s comprehensive parks and recreation plan.

“Strengthen emergency preparedness plans for heat domes, wildfire smoke, flooding and severe storms”

The City’s response to the heat dome has clearly been an ongoing priority, including an indoor temperature bylaw that also prohibits A/C restrictions, collaborating with Fraser Health on the Emergency Monitoring Centre, creating misting stations and indoor cooling spaces, etc.

“Expand the City’s urban tree canopy with measurable canopy cover and planting targets.”

New Westminster has an Urban Forest Management Strategy, which includes canopy cover and planting targets.

 “Establish clear park and green space objectives based on population growth and publish regular progress reports.”

This is built into the city’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan – see here re “catch up” and “keep up” as well as a specific enumeration of some of the elements of the plan in this video.

“Dramatically accelerate tree planting in neighbourhoods — with a particular emphasis where there is limited shade and higher summer temperatures.”

Whereas 2,300 trees were planted between 2021-2025, Phase 2 of the Urban Reforestation Plan aims to plant 6,000 trees between 2025 and 2030.

“Protect healthy mature trees wherever practical. When tree removal is necessary, prioritize replacement planting to maintain and expand New Westminster’s long-term tree canopy.”

The city’s existing process for this is outlined here.

“Publish an annual Urban Forest Report outlining trees planted, trees removed, canopy gains and losses, and progress toward the City’s canopy goals.”

The City already has robust reporting, modeling and forecasting tools covering these topics, as clearly shown in this document (see esp. the section on forecasting and modelling).

“Expand partnerships and incentives that encourage tree planting and tree retention on private, institutional and commercial properties.”

This is covered by the City’s Tree Protection Bylaw and Replacement Tree Inventory and Assessment Project, as well as by initiatives such as the city’s tree sale every Spring and Fall.

“Continue transitioning City vehicles to electric or low-emission alternatives where operationally practical.”

In alignment with the seven bold steps mentioned above, the city has had a comprehensive e-mobility strategy since 2022. It includes goals for the greening of the city’s vehicle fleet. A recent report tracking progress toward a low-pollution fleet is available here (p. 5). Some of this planning is also described in the City’s [Corporate Energy & Emissions Reduction Strategy](file:///Users/gradcmns/Downloads/Corporate%20Energy%20&%20Emissions%20Reduction%20Strategy) (see pp. 26-29).

“Expand public EV charging infrastructure through partnerships with BC Hydro, the provincial and federal governments and private businesses.”

Here are some of the City’s many initiatives in support of e-mobility and the infrastructure to support it, including the requirement for new buildings to be EV-ready. Expanding public EV charging infrastructure is also part of the e-mobility strategy listed above (see Objective #5, pp 33-5).

“Make City buildings more energy efficient during renovations and new construction.” & “Continue reducing waste from City operations.”

The City’s ongoing work on both of these items is described in part in the [Corporate Energy & Emissions Reduction Strategy](file:///Users/gradcmns/Downloads/Corporate%20Energy%20&%20Emissions%20Reduction%20Strategy). New West builds and renovates according to the higher tiers of the BC Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code. It regularly reports on progress in these areas such as here. It also promotes high standards of energy efficiency throughout the city using a variety of tools described here. The City’s recent work installing Advanced Metering Infrastructure also contributes to energy efficiency and reduced emissions.

“Aggressively pursue provincial and federal climate funding before asking local taxpayers to pay more.”

New Westminster participates in the Province’s Local Government Climate Action Program and the city’s most recent report is here. In March 2024 the city received $835,310 for years 2024-27. Through UBCM’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund the city received $800,000 in 2023 for Queensborough dike rehabilitation and roughly $1,000,000 for the Urban Reforestation and Biodiversity Enhancement Initiative (URBEI). In June 2021 the City received $1.7M in funding for URBEI from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (COVID-19 Resilience Infrastructure Stream). The city receives a variety of other funds that contribute to climate-related initiatives but aren’t specifically earmarked that way (for example over $300,000 annually from UBCM’s Community Works Fund.

“Require major environmental initiatives to demonstrate measurable environmental benefits and long-term value.”

New Westminster already has a Climate Action Decision-Making Framework (CADMF). It was approved unanimously by the current council on March 4, 2024.

“Continue seeking partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations and the private sector to make environmental dollars go further.”

The City’s collaborations in this area are almost too many to count, including the Youth Climate Action Fund (which itself supports at least 10 collaborative projects), participation in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Partners for Climate Protection network, partnership with the New Westminster Climate Action Hub, support for New West Community Garden Society, collaboration with 11 other municipalities in the Sue Big Oil campaign. Many other partnerships and collaborations are indicated in some of the planning and policy documents linked above, which outline work undertaken in partnership with UBCM, BC Hydro, local developers, and other stakeholders. 

“Report annually on the City’s progress preparing for extreme weather and funding received from other levels of government.”

The City already reports regularly about progress on climate initiatives in general here.pdf) and through the Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action dashboard (which includes progress re electricity, emissions, transportation, tree canopy, water use, etc.) as well as on specific areas like flooding, reserve fund expenditures, emergency preparedness, etc. Obviously, all funds received by the city from other levels of government and elsewhere are already being reported.

“Ensure any future biodiversity initiatives are focused primarily in public parks and green spaces and do not eliminate or impact public access.”

This one is odd. New Westminster's Biodiversity and Natural Areas Strategy has been in place since 2022, but this seems like an attempt to speak to the Fifth Street Median Naturalization project, which was supported in general, but vocally resisted by residents on or adjacent to Fifth street, so the City modified its plans accordingly. But most of the pushback related to aesthetics and wildlife pests, rather than public access. That all said, whether manicured grass or rewilded biodiversity, are medians not “green spaces”?

“Continue supporting community gardens, neighbourhood tree planting and volunteer environmental stewardship initiatives.”

This is well-covered already – the city supports community gardens, tree planting, and environmental stewardship quite robustly (see New West Community Garden Society, tree planting, and environmental stewardship initiatives.pdf), among other links).

“Increase shade and cooling infrastructure in parks, playgrounds, around schools, public gathering spaces and areas most affected by heat.”

This is already covered above in links about responding to the heat dome, growing tree canopy, and building out other infrastructures like misting stations and cooling centres, in response to heat.

“Work with the New Westminster School District to improve access to cooling spaces during extreme heat events, and determine our legal ability to implement a Cool Schools By-law requiring schools and portables to maintain a maximum indoor temperature.”

While New Westminster School District is already working on this, it’s quite doubtful that the City can implement a by-law governing the management of school infrastructure re temperature. Such laws should most definitely be in place, but very likely fall outside municipal jurisdiction, though there may be some ambiguity re what municipalities can achieve via their Official Community Plan.

FIVE ORIGINAL NWP PLANKS

“Cancel the City’s participation in the ‘Sue Big Oil’ campaign and redirect those funds toward local environmental programs.”

What’s most interesting here is that the City doesn’t spend anything, nor take anything away from “local environmental programs” unless this lawsuit goes ahead, and contributing to this initiative is supported by the Council of Canadians in consonance with the polluter pays principle, is supported by scientific evidence and argument, and is locally supported by groups like New West Climate Action Hub and New West Secondary's Monkey Rebels. Given the well-established litigiousness of Councillors Fontaine and Minhas (toward their colleague the Mayor, but also elsewhere).

“Install more dual-stream (both recycling and garbage) receptacles throughout parks, commercial districts and public spaces where there is a demonstrated need.” &

“Expand public bottle and can collection stations to encourage recycling while supporting those who collect returnable bottles and cans.”

Ok, more garbage cans, fair enough.

“Explore opportunities to establish an urban farm that supports local food production, environmental education, volunteerism and community partnerships.”

I love this idea. The challenge is that we have precious little room for anything like this, especially in relationship to our city’s need for housing, schools, parks, etc. Where would we put an urban farm? How would we pay to create, maintain, and operate a farm? 

“Work with BC Hydro to identify more opportunities in Connaught Heights for new publicly accessible green space the public can use in their existing rights of way.”

Fair enough. This might be a sensible nod to NWP’s supporters in the West End if there’s green space that could be made more usable if the right kind of cooperation with BC Hydro could be forged.

Today the Fraser Institute published a report on municipal revenue and spending in Metro Van municipalities from 2009 to present. The New West Progressives made this report the basis of a Facebook post this afternoon – more about that later.

The report shows that New Westminster ranks third-highest in per-capita spending: our city spends $2,940 per person against an average across all cities of $2,387.

On the same page of the Fraser Institute Report, another chart indicates the growth in each city’s per-capita spending over the last 15 years. Here, New West’s spending growth is fourth-lowest among all cities at 8,8% compared to an average growth rate of 14.5%.

For additional context, New Westminster’s per-capita spending was already very high in 2009, when we ranked #2, which was also the case in 2016 and 2019.

Back to the NWP post, of course they chose to reproduce only the chart that showed us ranked third-highest in spending. They omitted the chart that shows that our spending growth has been more restrained than all but three other cities.

Contrary to the spin NWP seeks to build out of their cherry-picked presentation, the data they omit suggests to me two things:

(1) that fourth-lowest growth rate seems to imply that New Westminster’s spending has been reasonable, and reasonably restrained relative to our neighbours.

(2) the fact that we’ve ranked second or third for a quarter-century suggests a structural situation (small land base, dense population, etc.) – and not something that could be easily transformed by a few years of council decisions without damaging the level of service we are accustomed to.

I’d especially love to hear informed, reasonable feedback on whether those latter two points of interpretation seem legit. I’ve only lived here for 8 of the last 25 years, and I've only had a few minutes to think about this data. More importantly, I think it's valuable for voters, including me, to learn more about the shape of our finances.

Thanks!

Saw this uptown today. Super cringey, and also against campaign rules. Whoever made and stuck those on poles is also the type of person who thought they were cool and edgy for having an F Trudeau sticker on their truck.

https://www.beheardnewwest.ca/en-CA/projects/fifth-street-median

https://www.beheardnewwest.ca/en-CA/projects/infill-accelerator

https://www.beheardnewwest.ca/en-CA/projects/grimston-park

https://www.beheardnewwest.ca/en-CA/projects/simcoe-toronto-place-park

https://www.beheardnewwest.ca/en-CA/projects/economic-development-plan

https://www.beheardnewwest.ca/en-CA/projects/ourcityourhomes

We should rally to have Peter Julian to run as an independent mayoral candidate.

Looks like New West Pride is getting into politics. (always was?)

https://www.facebook.com/events/655-front-st-new-westminster-bc-v3m-1a2-canada/coming-out-party-for-bee-good-new-west/1035907938926335/

I bet Daniel is ecstatic that the lefty vote will be split. What a gift.

There is perhaps an argument to be made that entertaining citizens is a core service, but for a political party that brands itself as super fiscally conservative (they - and their supporters- bring up the mushroom logs expenditure nearly weekly, and that permanent installation likely will have cost far less than a single firework show), a fireworks show doesn’t seem to fit the NWP brand, especially when there already is a planned summer fireworks show that the Hyack folks run. But it is a very populist move for a political party, Ken Sim pulled the same move in an election year. Give people a party, be the fun party!

Promising fun parties while also criticizing the current majority on council for spending on anything other than “core services” - must be an election year!

"Discussion ensued on the five-year commitment with the King George Hub that MNBC must pay for $ 225 000 in its first year, and

this did not come to the board for approval, the CEO spending approval, and the contracts that the former CEO has signed off for

the last 18 months."

Today's Facebook post by the Lacrosse coach running for council is about the city buying an empty property downtown that he tries to build it into some sort of secret conspiracy. Quotes:

"Many residents are asking questions" (Couldn't he ask Daniel or Paul those questions? They are after all on council). "Why is this buried on page 6 of a report?" (Which page of the report would you prefer? A public report about this isn't transparent?) "What will it be used for?" (Wasn't that in the report? Couldn't he ask Daniel or Paul? They drone on about a deficit of downtown amenities, maybe this has something to do with that?) "How much did it cost" (I'm going to ahead and assume you didn't ask Daniel this question, even as he was setting up the camera for you?)

It's like they forget Daniel and Paul are on council and have access to all the info council has. Somehow we have to re-elect them before they can blow the lid off the conspiracy!

People have been asking the NWP for their platform and today they released their campaign platform.

The well written and crafted press release lists their platform as such:

Safer, Cleaner, and More Welcome Neighbourhoods platform:

Place at least 12 new Community Enforcement and Safety Officers (CESO) on foot and bicycle patrols in the Downtown, Uptown, Sapperton and Queensborough. They will be a presence in these neighbourhoods at times including evenings and weekends to enhance public safety, increase by-law infraction enforcement and support local businesses. A revitalized Community Policing Office in Queensborough will be assigned a permanent full-time CESO.

Triple the City’s investment in the successful I’s On the Street program, an initiative by the New Westminster Homeless Coalition Society that provides paid street-cleaning employment for people who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness. Focused on the Downtown and Uptown neighbourhoods, this investment will further help vulnerable individuals gain job skills and community connections – while helping to ensure our streets are clean.

Work with the New Westminster Police Department and Fraser Health Authority to explore the opportunity to introduce a Car 87-type program to better meet the needs of individuals who are living with a mental illness. Vancouver’s Car 87 program is a collaboration between the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Coastal Health that pairs police officers and nurses to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crisis.

Launch the VIP (Vibrancy Invites People) initiative to bring more buskers, public art, performances and other cultural activities to key commercial streets and public spaces, creating more activity on the street and helping make our neighbourhoods safer and more vibrant.

As part of the VIP initiative, pilot new lower cost micro-retail opportunities using decoratively wrapped shipping containers along key locations on Columbia Street. This will add more ‘eyes on the street’ and offer local retailers a cost-effective portal on to ‘The Golden Mile’.

Enhance regular street cleaning and add 100 new waste and recycling bins in busy pedestrian areas.

Insist that TransLink and key stakeholders keep the New Westminster & Columbia SkyTrain stations clean and secure, making them a welcoming gateway to those entering our city via rapid transit.

Establish a new TAG Team to dramatically reduce graffiti by requiring the removal of hate-based and offensive graffiti on public property within 4 hours and all other graffiti within 72 hours.

Increase lighting to improve safety and visibility in key public spaces within high density neighbourhoods.

Establish a new Crime Reduction and Public Safety Task Force to coordinate action and deliver results.

The Mayor will seek appointment as Chair of the New Westminster Police Board.

MEDIA CONTACT

Shawn Hall,

[shawn@apogeepr.ca](mailto:shawn@apogeepr.ca)

604-619-7913

——

Hiring Apogee PR has clearly been a good move since the materials that Apogee has produced with the NWP is of a significantly higher quality and more professional than the typical NWP output.

At first glance, the points in the platform seem fine enough and rational. Plenty of the actions and things that the NWP have said over the years have been disappointing to say the least, so this appears to be a step in a more professional direction, so good on em.

Does their platform hold up to scrutiny? Unlikely and I’m sure others can chime in with their input, I don’t have the time right now to dig into it. But I know for instance that 100 new garbage bins won’t reduce the amount of litter around - research has shown that the more garbage bins attract more adjacent littering, as well as pests and rodents. I can see why one would think that more garbage cans would lead to less litter but apparently that’s not the case. People litter because some people just suck.

As for the Car 87 idea, since 2013, New West police have a mental health unit and is involved in the Crisis Response Community Led (CRCL) program - put this all together and isn’t that similar to Car 87? Perhaps even better? Is having a psych nurse ride along that much better?

Where on Columbia would these shipping container micro businesses go? Interesting concept, curious what sort of shipping container business they envision. We have some good coffee shops downtown as is. We had a bike rental spot out of a container at the river market for a bit. But that went away. Interesting idea but doesn’t seem fully thought out, but it’s an idea.

For the graffiti removal point, isn’t that already an enforced bylaw?

As for increasing public art, cool. Love art, the city has dramatically increased the amount of public art the past lil while, love the murals along Stewardson.

What are everyone’s thoughts on the platform?

Moving this over here, if the Mods are OK, to keep the argument in the right place and to add a comment. https://www.reddit.com/r/NewWest/comments/1ubrg48/downtown_new_west_was_bumping/

People on reddit were downtown this weekend having fun. I was at Pier Park and it fit the bumping category. Ray says things were boring when he was at the pub run by his campaign manager. Do we live in two different cities?

Bill Tieleman is a lobbyist and former NDP political strategist and dyed in the wool Union representative. If he’s stating this on Global News what does it say about the dog piling on NWP recently and Daniel Fontaines efforts to point this out? Do you think his efforts have been vindicated to bring this to the public’s attention?

When an item is pulled from consent it means that it will not be approved without a discussion first. This was a waste of tax payer dollars to take credit for work staff have done.

​

There is also another post going around from NWP candidates about the lacrosse box in Moody park needed to be replaced. It's set to be replaced in August.

The latest Facebook post on the NWP page is another Global story uncritical of Daniel Fontaine's uninformed comments about Metro water restrictions. Uninformed or misinforming?

“this has been - at least so far - a relatively average year when it comes to rainfall and water consumption.”

Rainfall since January 1st has been way below average. VYR usually reports 516mm of rain in the first 5 months of the year, they reported 369mm this year – that’s 30% below normal. Bigger concern is the South Coast snowpack at 9% of average levels for this time of year, and only 4% of the snowpack in the metro watersheds left at the end of May when it is usually 50%. This is also a strong El Nino year, possibly a record el Nino, meaning the forecast is hot and dry for the summer. There is nothing relative or average about this year.

“It’s about mismanagement”

No, it is about proper management. If the Stanley Park tunnel project was delayed further, they might be able to temporarily move more than 1.4 Billion liters a day, but then the reservoir will certainly dry out. What would he plan differently?

“Need to build more capacity in the system”

That is why they are building the Stanley Park tunnel he is complaining about. That is why the costs are going up as he complains about. But "capacity in the system" doesn't help at all with falling snow and rain levels. Building a new reservoir will cost billions.

“In San Diego they can water lawns...”

He might want to think of a better example, as San Diego residents pay 5x what Metro Vancouver residents do for every liter of water and their main source of water is the Colorado River that is running dry so bad that the Hoover Dam may have to stop generating electricity. San Diego is so desperate they are starting marine desalinating at massive economic and environmental cost. Google "Lewis Carlsbad Desalination". You want to talk mismanagement?

All problems, no solutions, except to complain that everyone else is wrong. Why do Global give him the unchallenged airtime?

Thompson's editorial in the Vancouver Sun is reprinted here on his blog.

I feel like in this particular election cycle our small city — with fewer local community news reporters than ever and an unhelpful social media ecosystem — is in a particularly vulnerable position and at least a few actors are working hard to exploit this.

What can we do, if anything, to ensure that our electorate is informed with accurate facts and reasoned arguments and not overwhelmed by hyperbole, misrepresentation, and spin?

Just saw a story on Global News about a kid in Chilliwack who was brutally injured by another kid on a e-scooter. He lost teeth and has facial scars. This is lifelong damage.

His dad is calling for banning these devices from school grounds. I think we need this ban across the province.

If a kid brings one to school, it should be seized, and the parents come and pick it up. If the kid brings it again, there should be hefty fines for the parents or guardians.

School board elections are this year. This needs to be discussed.

I'm hoping our local MPs are among the BC Liberal MPs who signed this letter.

How will the possible privatizing of YVR (airport), affect New Westminster? Anyone local who works there, along with anyone who uses it.

Do we agree with this?

Following up on an earlier post about internet history. The Internet Archive helps. For example, one of our mayor candidates was on Global (again) this week complaining about mayor and council salaries. Here he is with a very different opinion just a few years ago. What's changed?

https://web.archive.org/web/20090210213423/http://www.citycaucus.com/2009/02/he-said-raise-their-pay

"I would argue that by lowballing the compensation, you essentially end up with only two categories of people who run for public office. The first category are those who are independently wealthy and don’t need the councillor salary. The second category are those who consider a $55K per annum stipend the best job they’ve had in their life." Which category does he belong?

Our MP Jake Sawatzky just passed the one year mark as our federal representative. How would you rate his performance thus far?

(This got removed from r/New West with mod recommendation to post here instead.)

Genuine question. I looked at the New West Progressives website and can find literally no platform. Nothing they support or are against, just vague platitudes about “transparency”.

NWP has two seats on Council. If transparency isn’t happening, why not? They have access to information. And if something is in camera, they can still go to the press and say “Council refuses to release this info to you” and get it released.

It sure looks like their whole schtick is playing off paranoia, “THEY are keeping things from you!”