Episode 101: Spooky budgets, Exclusive interview with Terry Leith, Stigmatization Debate, NW City Matters

🎙️ For the Record with Daniel Fontaine & Paul Minhas – Episode 101It’s Halloween week and this episode starts with a spooky soundtrack and an even scarier topic: Budget 2026.👻 Budget 2026 – Trick or Tax?With a potential 7% property tax increase, and the prospect of more than 30% in total hikes over four years under the current Community First majority, Daniel and Paul refer to this budget as one of the scariest things in New Westminster. Paul’s motion to explore a 0% and 2.5% increase was voted down by Community First, leaving taxpayers bracing for another costly year.🏘️ NW City Matters LaunchThe New West Progressives are launching a major community engagement effort - starting with their first town hall on Nov. 6 (6:30–8 p.m.) at Mount Zion Lutheran Church. Daniel and Paul explain how this series of town halls, surveys, and neighbourhood canvasses will help shape the NWP’s 2026 election platform.🎖️ Exclusive Interview: Terry Leith, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #2Past President Terry Leith joins the podcast to discuss the Poppy Campaign, what defines a veteran, and how the Legion is modernizing its outreach. He reminds listeners that everyone is welcome at the Legion - membership not required - and encourages New Westminster residents to wear their poppies proudly through Remembrance Day. If you want to have a poppy box at your establishment in New West call the Legion at 604-524-1511. 🚓 Chamber of Commerce Panel – Chief Paul Hyland on StigmatizationDaniel and Paul reflect on comments made by Chief Hyland, who said stigmatization can play a positive role in curbing harmful behaviours - from drunk driving to public illicit drug use - and that the NDP government's decriminalization experiment has failed.💌 Letter of the WeekThis week features two letters - one about the 7th Street bike lane, and another from a listener outside New Westminster who praised Daniel for his ongoing accountability work on Metro Vancouver issues.🎧 Tune in now for thoughtful discussion, accountability, and community voices - available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.