Episode 33: O'Canada edition! Public toilet strategies, Metro Vancouver travel habits, Canada Day fireworks & FIFA World Cup

In this latest episode Coun. Paul Minhas appears as part of the regular Council Roundup feature. A number of topics were on the table including an interesting debate regarding the placement of a new public toilet at the corner of Begbie and Front St next to the Interurban building. Is the toilet still being installed, or isn't it?The more things change, the more they stay the same. It was StatusQuo2.0 at "Club41" aka Metro Vancouver this week as they chose their new chair of the Board. He is none other than Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley. The Chair didn't bother to let the public (aka Metro Vancouver shareholders) that he was running until minutes before his name was put on the ballot - thus conveniently avoiding any media scrutiny. He also made some interesting comments about a 'review' to take place regarding the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant financial debacle.Metro Vancouver was also making headlines this week for all the wrong reasons. News media were reporting that the CAO for Metro Vancouver was paid over $700K in compensation and benefits in 2023. That's after the Board provided him with a hefty pay raise. How will that sit with taxpayers struggling to make ends meet?Will 2025 be the year New Westminster gets its Canada Day fireworks back? Or will it be a special drone show over the Fraser River. We discuss a motion coming to New West Council that aims to kickstart a discussion.In 2026 FIFA will be in our region and New West will be participating in the party. As part of that discussion, Council agreed to purchase up to two large outdoor digital screens to use in the community. Is it possible that sponsorships or grants can be used to offset the costs? Minhas moved a motion to explore that opportunity.What is SOFI? It's a report that outlines all of the expenditures at the City of New West. Interestingly well over $200,000 in transition allowances for several former elected officials was paid out in two separate calendar years. We explore what might be behind that move.In our look ahead segment, we talk about two motions coming to Council on July 8th in support of Community Safety Officers and a restriction on international travel for elected officials. We also discuss June 30 as Indigenous Survivors Day in New West.As always, the podcast is packed with great information and commentary. It's available for download on all major platforms.