Episode 25: Supporting decriminalization, patios, outdoor celebrations, business climate, bell or buzzer

In this edition host Daniel Fontaine welcomes special guest Councillor Paul Minhas to the podcast. This edition was recorded in Whistler at the annual Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) conference. In a wide ranging discussion, Fontaine and Minhas discuss a number of topics of interest to New Westminster residents and business owners. The podcast opens with a discussion focusing on Councillor Nadine Nakagawa's continued support for the decriminalization experiment in British Columbia. Nakagawa appeared on a LMLGA panel and both Fontaine and Minhas analyze what she had to say to the delegates. The podcast also includes an interview Fontaine had with Matt Galloway from CBC's The Current. The CBC wanted to speak with Fontaine to get his take on the NDP government's recent decision to request Ottawa water down their decriminalization experiment. With summer weather just around the corner, the topic of patios and a lack of them in New West is discussed. Are we doing enough to get more patios installed throughout the city? Tune in to find out. In the opening "The Way I See It" segment, Fontaine talks about special outdoor events in the Royal City and whether we could be doing more to help facilitate them. Are there specific initiatives that could be undertaken to reduce red tape, eliminate costs and find ways of putting on events without breaking the bank? The answer is yes. New West's business climate is discussed in the context of a comment made by Mayor Johnstone in one of his recent newsletters. Are two opposition councillors really to blame for creating the negative business climate in the Royal City, or are they just exposing what's been right under the nose of Council for years?To close off the podcast, you'll want to hear the four questions posed to Coun. Minhas as part of the Bell or Buzzer game. Did Minhas answer all four questions correctly and make it into the BoB VIP club?If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to let your friends and family know so they can listen too. To provide feedback or to contact us please visit www.danielfontaine.ca