🎙️ 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.

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.

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

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%.

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.

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.