It was definitely not a dull year in New Westminster.
A code of conduct violation connected to the mayor’s December 2023 trip to a conference in Dubai, a redevelopment proposal for Columbia Square Shopping Centre, and a controversial plan for a toilet in downtown New West were among the issues making headlines in 2024.
In city council chambers, some unusual occurrences took place in 2024, including a meeting being adjourned early when a delegate refused to leave the speakers’ desk and a decision by two councillors to walk out of council chambers before council consideration on a motion regarding the Middle East.
Divided votes, comments made quietly (but audible enough to be picked up by microphones for folks watching livestreams), calls of points of order (too many to count) and challenges of the chair’s decision, and all kinds of sniping demonstrated the political divisions at New Westminster city council.
Here’s a look at some of the stories that made headlines in the Record in 2024.
JANUARY
New utility rates take effect in New West on Jan. 1. As part of the City of New Westminster’s 2024 budget process, council approved increases to utility rates: electric – 3.3 per cent; water – 6.0 per cent; sewer – 8.0 per cent; and solid waste – 12 per cent.
The campaign period to fill the vacant seat on the New Westminster school board officially gets underway in the leadup to the Feb. 3 byelection. Four candidates are hoping to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former trustee Dee Beetie: Jalen Bachra (Community First New Westminster); Kathleen Carlsen (New West Progressives); Alejandro Diaz; and Shawn Sorensen.
In a Jan. 8 video posted on Instagram, Coun. Nadine Nakagawa says she is no longer part of Community First New Westminster. Although she didn’t renew her membership at the political group’s AGM in the summer, she says she’s committed to the party’s platform – but she wants to prioritize her community work and council responsibilities, rather than liaising with a party and working to meet the party’s goals.
New Westminster city council votes 4-0 in support of Coun. Nadine Nakagawa’s motion to have the city write to the prime minister urging the Canadian government to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, to support restricted access to humanitarian aid and to secure the release of all hostages. Supporters and opponents of the motion pack council chambers for the Jan. 8 meeting, which included periodic verbal exchanges among attendees during breaks. Opponents tell council the motion is “outside the scope of council’s mandate” while supporters congratulate city council for taking a stance in the crisis that has resulted in thousands of deaths. At the Jan. 8 meeting, Nakagawa puts forward an amendment to her motion – to call on the Canadian government stop all arms shipments, sales and training to Israel in compliance with Canadian law. Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas say council should be focusing on the core issues over which it has 100 per cent control, such as roads and recreation programs, not the Middle East. They walk out of council chambers and don’t vote on the motion. Nakagawa’s original motion and her amendment are both approved unanimously in a 4-0 vote, with councillors Ruby Campbell, Tasha Henderson, Jaimie McEvoy, and Nakagawa supporting. The mayor did not attend the Jan. 8 meeting.
Warming centres open in New Westminster from Jan. 11 to 14 in an effort to keep folks safe as the temperatures plummet. Arctic air combined with strong outflow winds gusting to 60 km/h were forecast to generate wind chill values as low as -20 overnight.
A snow day closes New West public schools, Douglas College, private schools, and the city’s recreational facilities on Jan. 17.
In a 4-2 vote, New West council rejects request for a report from mayor that includes a “full accounting” of his December 2023 trip to the COP28 conference in Dubai. Coun. Daniel Fontaine says his motion is intended to shed some light on details of Johnstone’s trip, but a majority of councillors say it is singling out one specific conference attended by one council member and state council members had already received ample information about the conference. Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas, the two New West Progressives on council, support the motion at the Jan. 22 meeting, while councillors Ruby Campbell, Tasha Henderson, Jaimie McEvoy and Nadine Nakagawa are opposed. Council votes 5-0 in favour of requesting a workshop with the new ethics commissioner on council’s Code of Conduct, including Section 105 of the Community Charter.
The school district returns funds to New Westminster Secondary School’s musical theatre program after a public outcry – with some questioning why it took the money in the first place. At the board of education’s Jan. 30 meeting, parents and some school trustee candidates speak about the removal of close to $20,000 of funds from the NWSS musical theatre program into the general school operating budget even though the money had been raised on behalf of the musical theatre program. In response to the criticism, the school board issues a statement saying it would restore the NWSS musical theatre department’s funds in full ($18,400) and staff would review the Administrative Procedure to provide greater clarity into the processes.
FEBRUARY
Angelene Prakash takes the helm of the Downtown New West Business Improvement Association on Feb. 1. Prakash, who has been the BIA’s membership engagement and events manager since 2021, becomes its new executive director.
Longtime New Westminster city councillor Jaimie McEvoy is hospitalized after suffering a heart attack on Feb. 2 and later undergoes triple-bypass surgery at Royal Columbian Hospital. At its Feb. 26 meeting, council approves a medical leave of absence for McEvoy.
Kathleen Carlsen tops the polls in the Feb. 3 school board byelection, beating out three other challengers seeking to fill the vacant seat on the board. Carlsen, a member of the New Westminster Progressives, will join current trustees Maya Russell, Marc Andres, Danielle Connelly (also of the New Westminster Progressives), Cheryl Sluis, Gurveen Dhaliwal and Elliot Slinn on the board.
New Westminster city council adjourns its Feb. 5 meeting early when the second of 10 delegates is stopped from speaking a number of times, after “points of order” are called in relation to some of the comments he makes in council chamber. Saeed Naguib tells council he is concerned about comments that had been made by Coun. Daniel Fontaine at the Jan. 8 meeting, where council voted 4-0 in support of a motion to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. After several warnings, council asks Naguib to submit his presentation in writing to council so council can hear from the next delegate. When Naguib refused to leave the delegation table, council decides to leave the chamber and return when it is able to hear from the next delegate. Returning an hour later to find Naguib still sitting at the delegates’ table, the mayor asks if he is willing to allow the meeting to proceed and let other delegates speak. When he replies “No,” Johnstone adjourns the meeting, saying the city is not in the practice of forcibly removing people from chambers.
New Westminster city council approves its 2024 to 2028 financial plan, which includes a 7.7 per cent property tax increase in 2024. In a 4-2 vote, council approves three readings of the financial plan bylaw. Mayor Patrick Johnstone and Community First New West councillors Ruby Campbell and Tasha Henderson, as well as former Community First member Coun. Nadine Nakagawa, vote in support, while New West Progressive councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas vote against the budget.
New West mom Vanessa Woznow laces up her runners to run a half marathon on Feb. 17 to raise money for New Westminster Family Place. The 21.1-kilometre run takes her through all of the neighbourhoods in New West.
A pedestrian dies after being hit by a train near the Spruce Street railway crossing in Sapperton.
Carolyn Caseñas takes on the role of chief librarian at the New Westminster Public Library.
Fraser Crossing Partners implements a one-month full closure of Front Street (between Begbie and East Columbia streets) on Feb. 21, as part of its work on the Pattullo Bridge replacement project.
Work gets underway on a stretch of the BC Parkway in New Westminster where pedestrians and cyclists have been seeking improvements for years. The 737-metre section of Stewardson Way, between River Drive and 14th Street, includes a variety of upgrades and is scheduled to be completed as soon as late 2024 – depending on weather conditions.
New Westminster wants the province to provide cities with the ability to address skyrocketing commercial lease rates. In a 4-2 vote, council supports a motion to ask the province to provide local governments with the legislative authority to enable special economic zones where commercial rent control and demo/renovation policies could be applied. Mayor Patrick Johnstone and councillors Ruby Campbell and Nadine Nakagawa support Coun. Tasha Henderson’s motion; New Westminster Progressive councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas vote against the motion, saying the best thing for businesses is approving low property tax increases.
Several residents – as well as a turtle and a cat – make it out of a Queensborough home that is destroyed by fire on Feb. 27. The building is engulfed in flames when New West firefighters are called to the home at 6:37 a.m.
Premier David Eby visits New Westminster to celebrate the start of construction of a Douglas College project at the corner of Eighth Street and Royal Avenue. The 20-storey building will have 368 units of on-campus housing, new classrooms, student collaboration spaces, labs, offices, food services and parking.
MARCH
The House of Comedy New West cancels a performance by The Danger Cats that was scheduled for March 24. Their appearance at the local comedy club sparks outrage among some community members, who are troubled by the group’s merchandise (a sold-out T-shirt featuring serial killer Robert Pickton) and some of the show’s content. In just over 24 hours, more than 1,600 people sign an online petition calling for the show to be cancelled. The Danger Cats post statement on social media saying that what started as jokes had moved into new territory, as they and staff at venues where they were scheduled to perform are now receiving death threats.
The owner of Mila + Paige posts a nine-minute video on Instagram to explain her decision to close the clothing boutique she opened in 2018. She says she’s “really angry” at the city – citing increased parking rates and issues related to a nearby homeless shelter as being among the reasons she’s closing shop.
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services launches its new Second Responder program, which hopes to reduce the risk of future overdoses and deaths. After responding to calls where they resuscitate an individual experiencing a toxic drug overdose, firefighters will ask the person if they can provide a follow-up call in a few days; they’ll phone those individuals to get their consent to meet with them and then, accompanied by Fraser Health staff, provide education, harm-reduction materials and/or supporting services.
The Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Association holds a meeting for its members to discuss concerns in the downtown and the business climate in the neighbourhood, including vacant lots, vandalism and customer comfort and safety. The BIA’s next step is to consider advocacy initiatives related to issues in the neighbourhood.
APRIL
Council receives an updated plan for the proposed redevelopment of the 7.2-acre Columbia Square Plaza site at 88 10th St., a phased redevelopment could see 2,000 to 4,000 residential units in six to eight towers, office and retail uses, and community and public space. At its April 8 meeting, council votes 4-2 in favour of staff recommendations to prepare a basic zoning bylaw to authorize that revised proposal for consideration of council within 2024, and which secures requirements to complete a master planning process prior to construction. Mayor Patrick Johnstone and councillors Ruby Campbell, Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas support the staff recommendation, while councillors Tasha Henderson and Nadine Nakagawa are opposed because the plan does not include any affordable housing – something included in a previous proposal.
With dentists’ offices popping up in commercial units across the city, council approves a motion from Coun. Nadine Nakagawa that seeks to ensure that ground-level retail spaces in new developments prioritize community-supporting businesses. The motion would have staff review and refresh current policies relating to ground-level retail to ensure they’re responsive to current market forces and develop a policy to ensure that future ground-level retail spaces in new development are built to prioritize community-supporting business and organizations in alignment with the retail strategy.
A section of Columbia Street will remain closed longer than expected due to the Pattullo Bridge replacement project construction. Because it’s taking longer than anticipated to install structural supports for the new bridge, the full closure of Columbia Street (between McBride Boulevard and Elliot Street) is now continuing until late May. The closure started April 2 and was expected to be in effect for one month.
Mayor Patrick Johnstone calls “BS” on the province’s new housing targets for New Westminster, after New West is named as one of 20 communities to receive new housing targets for the next five years. Johnstone says it “makes no sense” for the province to prioritize New Westminster for new housing targets, when the city has consistently been one of the fastest-growing cities in the region.
New Westminster launches public engagement on its new parks and recreation plan – People, Parks and Play: Connections for All. The plan will guide priorities and investment in parks and recreation for the next 10 years and will outline aspirational plans to 2050.
The City of New Westminster hosts an event on April 29 to celebrate the opening of the community centre facilities inside of the new təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre. The opening event includes an Indigenous blessing and activities for kids. It’s also the first day for registered and drop-in programs at the new facility.
MAY
The City of New Westminster officially unveils the new public art installation at təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre, Miyíw̓ts – Water's Edge. The May 8 event celebrates the work created by James Harry, a Coast Salish artist from the Squamish Nation, who grew up in New West.
Swimmers take the plunge at the First Swim event on May 14 – signalling the opening of the aquatics centre portion of təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre. The facility includes an eight-lane, 50-metre pool and a leisure pool with a lazy river and hot pools.
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services expand its scope of practice by becoming Emergency Medical Responders, meaning firefighters can now provide a greater level of assistance at medical aid calls. Starting May 5, New West firefighters can now: assess blood pressure, blood oxygen levels and chest sounds; administer nitroglycerin and acetylsalicylic acid medication for emergency cardiac events; use bleeding control and pelvic binding tools for traumatic events; and provide more pain control options.
A dump truck flips on its side in Sapperton at the intersection of East Columbia and Holmes Street on May 16 – at the same intersection where another dump truck crashed less than 48 hours earlier. In the May 14 incident, a dump truck travelling down Holmes Street goes into oncoming traffic on East Columbia Street, strikes a pole and collides with another vehicle, with several vehicles ultimately being involved in that traffic incident. Several people are sent to hospital with minor injuries in the first incident.
Former New Westminster city councillor Mary Trentadue is among 20 awardees of one of the BC Achievement Foundation’s 2024 Community Awards, which recognize extraordinary British Columbians who build better, stronger and more resilient communities.
Two New Westies are now members of the BC Sports Hall of Fame. Justin Morneau, considered among the greatest Canadian players to play Major League Baseball, is inducted in the Athlete category. Dr. Bob McCormack, who has supported Canadian athletes at 10 Olympics and worked for dozens of teams, is inducted in the Builders-Coaches category.
The province announces the Pattullo Bridge replacement project is delayed and will not open until the fall of 2025. The project, originally projected to cost $1.4 billion, will replace the 1937 Pattullo Bridge.
New Westminster city council votes 4-2 against Coun. Daniel Fontaine’s motion to have the mayor write a letter to the premier and the minister of mental health and addictions requesting they immediately halt the “failed decriminalization experiment” pilot project in B.C. Fontaine and Coun. Paul Minhas say the province’s action had led to an “any drug, anywhere, anytime” mentality. Mayor Patrick Johnstone and councillors Ruby Campbell, Tasha Henderson and Nadine Nakagawa oppose the motion. Nakagawa said she’d prefer that council focus on solutions, rather than “fear mongering and misleading to make political points.” At the same meeting, the president of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association says criminalization promotes covert and isolated use, which is a “recipe for death.”
New West votes 4-2 in support of a plan to engage with the community about creation of a new corporate logo, which will replace the current logo featuring a gold crown above the words New Westminster. The engagement process includes online engagement (a survey and discussion forum on Be Heard New West) and in-person engagement (pop-ups and workshops).
New West council gets an update on plans for a redevelopment application for Columbia Square Plaza at 88 10th St., which is anticipated to include six to eight towers with about 7,250 residents. The latest proposal includes a non-market childcare component, and opportunities for an on-site school, but it does not include any inclusionary or affordable housing. Because the plan still does not include any affordable housing, councillors Tasha Henderson and Nadine Nakagawa vote against the recommendation; Mayor Patrick Johnstone and councillors Ruby Campbell, Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas support a resolution directing staff to work with the applicant to create an appropriate zoning amendment bylaw for council’s consideration in 2024
JUNE
The City of New Westminster holds a grand opening celebration for the new $114.6-million təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre. The June 1 grand opening event includes a ribbon-cutting, foods trucks, entertainment, children’s activities, and more.
New Westminster politicos talk housing, traffic and more during a joint school board and city council meeting. The New Westminster School District provides updates about traffic safety and parking, and the board’s advocacy plan; the City of New Westminster provides updates on tree planting initiatives, a youth resiliency initiative, and consultation that’s being done to refresh the parks and recreation plan. City staff also gave an overview of the province’s new housing legislation – an issue that’s of interest to a school district facing capacity challenges.
A “six-month” closure of Front Street begins in mid-June as part of the Pattullo Bridge replacement project. While the road is closed to through traffic 24 hours a day, seven days a week, businesses are open and accessible via the Front Street mews.
City crews respond to a “field emergency” and repair a sinkhole on Fourth Street, between Royal Avenue and Agnes Street. No injuries result from the sinkhole.
New West council unanimously approves a plan to update its tenant protection and relocation policies, using the City of Burnaby’s policy as a model. The motion, submitted by councillors Ruby Campbell and Nadine Nakagawa, aims to provide support for tenants who may be displaced from their homes, including redevelopment.
New Westminster Secondary School teacher Darren Ng’s passion and dedication to science and teaching is recognized with a Prime Minister’s Award. The Science Ninja sensei is the sole award recipient of a Prime Minister’s Award in British Columbia and one of 17 teachers nationwide celebrated by the PMA for their contributions to education within their province and across Canada.
Holly Kang, a barista at Starbucks Queensborough Landing, beats out 17,000 baristas from across the continent to place second in the first-ever North America Barista Championship in Seattle June 3 to 5. Kang wows judges in front of a live audience with their coffee craft skills, knowledge of Starbucks’ sustainability commitment, and their very own signature beverage, a Cold Brew with Golden Foam. (Tragically, Kang dies on June 24 at the age of 27 after a critical medical emergency. Their death results in a three-day closure of the Queensborough location, where Kang was a shift supervisor.)
Having concluded a plan to install a new freestanding public toilet in Hyack Square is “technically unfeasible”, staff recommend it be installed on Begbie Street, on the sidewalk next to the Interurban condo. In a 4-2, council votes to direct staff to proceed with the installation of a permanent free-standing toilet on Begbie Street. Mayor Patrick Johnstone and councillors Ruby Campbell, Tasha Henderson and Nakagawa support the project and councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas oppose the plan. Fontaine and Minhas, who express concern about the location and $650,000 budget for the toilet, say the city should start with improved wayfinding signage to existing toilets; other councillors stress the need for public toilets for all residents, including people who are unhoused.
Residents of the Interurban condo on Begbie Street are shocked to learn about the city’s plan to install a toilet in front of their building. The building’s strata intends to seek legal counsel on the matter.
New Westminster flushes its plan for a public toilet on Begbie Street after receiving considerable feedback from the community on the proposal, including residents of the Interurban building, who are concerned about safety, maintenance and nuisance issues related to the toilet.
- Council votes 4-2 in favour of motion requiring staff to develop a work plan and budget to prepare a citywide and comprehensive public toilet strategy and report back to council on that plan. Mayor Patrick Johnstone and councillors Ruby Campbell, Tasha Henderson and Nadine Nakagawa support the motion, but councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas oppose the motion saying it does not explicitly “halt” the toilet project on Begbie Street.
- In a 4-2 vote, council approves an amendment from Fontaine to direct staff to immediately begin the installation of increased signage to increase awareness of all publicly funded toilets. Councillors Fontaine, Henderson, Minhas and Nakagawa support the amendment, while Campbell and Johnstone vote in opposition, preferring to see what is recommended through the citywide strategy.
New Westminster Police Department Chief Constable Dave Jansen retires after a 35-year policing career. June 28 is Jansen’s final day on the job.
City council unanimously approves a motion directing staff to include enhancements in the 2025 budget to operationalize a citywide 2026 FIFA World Cup celebration. The June 24 decision is in response to a motion put forward by Mayor Patrick Johnstone in April to have staff report back on opportunities to activate public spaces across New Westminster and to engage with local cultural, youth, sports and business organizations for free and low-barrier public gathering, public viewing and community celebrations to coincide with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A two-day enforcement blitz finds that 56 of 86 trucks stopped in New Westminster required repairs before proceeding. Of the total inspections, six required repairs to be completed at a later time, 56 required repairs to be completed prior to proceeding, seven vehicles with major deficiencies were immediately removed from the roadway, and three vehicles were found to have unsecured loads.
Part 2 of the Year in Review will run in the Record tommorrow.
