A well-known local businessman is officially in the race for a seat on New Westminster city council.
Paul Minhas, who owns Begbie’s Pub and the former Heritage Grill on Columbia Street, is joining the New West Progressives as one of their council candidates in the Oct. 15 civic election.
“It’s a great honour to be running with the NWP and providing voters with a positive alternative to the current council,” he said in a news release. “I’ve been enjoying listening to local residents over the last several weeks since I announced I was seeking a nomination with the NWP. They’ve been giving me some great suggestions and progressive ideas that I hope will be included in our platform we’ll be releasing later this year.”
In 2005, Minhas opened the Heritage Grill, which became a hub for many community members and visitors to the city. Prior to being destroyed by a fire in May 2021, the Heritage Grill’s offerings included ukulele sessions, poetry, theatre, comedy, art exhibits, life-drawing sessions and drag shows.
Minhas, who was also involved in helping to kick start New Westminster’s annual Pride Week, the Royal City Show & Shine and the food truck festival, opened Begbie’s Pub on Columbia Street in 2016.
In a message posted on Facebook in February, Minhas said he has become increasingly frustrated with the current city council; instead of posting his frustrations on Facebook or sending out another tweet, he said he’d decided to put his name forward for public office and was hoping to run with the New West Progressives.
Ken Armstrong, who is the New West Progressives’ mayoral candidate, is pleased the local small business owner is joining the NWP team.
“Paul is a passionate community leader and will make a wonderful addition to city council when he is elected this fall,” Armstrong said in a news release. “He’s been a strong advocate for key issues such as crime reduction and public safety, as well as making sure we do everything possible to help revitalize our business districts that have been struggling with the pandemic and red tape.”
Along with Minhas, Glenbrook North residents Rick Folka and Jiayi Li-McCarthy have been approved by the NWP board of directors to be on its 2022 council slate.
Follow Theresa McManus on Twitter @TheresaMcManus
Email [email protected]
