NWP launches A Greener New West plan for practical environmental action

New Westminster, B.C. (July 27, 2026) — The New Westminster Progressives have released A Greener New West, a practical environmental platform focused on climate resilience, flood protection, more trees and parks, healthier neighbourhoods, and stronger accountability for local environmental spending.

The plan responds with practical action to the real climate change impacts residents are already experiencing — including heat domes, atmospheric rivers, wildfire smoke, flooding and other extreme weather events. It includes a long-term flood resilience strategy for Queensborough, measurable urban tree canopy targets, expanded public EV charging partnerships, stronger emergency preparedness, more shade and cooling infrastructure, and annual reporting on climate adaptation progress.

“People are already feeling the effects of extreme weather in their daily lives,” says Daniel Fontaine, NWP mayoral candidate and current New Westminster councillor. “One of the simplest but most powerful actions any city can take is planting more trees in urban neighbourhoods — especially where people have the least shade and feel the worst impacts of summer heat. Rebuilding our tree canopy is just one tangible environmental action we will take.”

The NWP plan also links environmental responsibility with fiscal responsibility by assertively pursuing provincial and federal climate funding, requiring major environmental initiatives to demonstrate measurable benefits, and redirecting money from the City’s participation in the ‘Sue Big Oil’ campaign toward practical local environmental programs.

“Residents want environmental action that is measurable, responsible and locally focused,” says Karima Budhwani, NWP council candidate. “That means focusing on projects people can see in their own neighbourhoods — more trees, safer infrastructure, cleaner public spaces and stronger resilience — while making sure taxpayers can see where the money is going and what results it delivers.”

The full NWP A Greener New West plan includes five platform areas:

• Protect our community from climate change. Climate change is already affecting New Westminster. Our priority is to take practical actions that will make our community safer and more resilient. We will:
  • Develop a long-term flood resilience strategy for Queensborough, including securing the necessary funding for continued investment in dikes and flood protection infrastructure.
  • Maintain a dedicated Climate Impact Reserve Fund to help respond to extreme weather events without placing unexpected costs on local taxpayers.
  • Invest in climate-resilient roads, drainage systems, parks and civic infrastructure,
  • Strengthen emergency preparedness plans for heat domes, wildfire smoke, flooding and severe storms.

• Grow a greener New Westminster. Trees, parks and green spaces are among the most effective local environmental investments we can make. We will:
  • Expand the City’s urban tree canopy with measurable canopy cover and planting targets.
  • Establish clear park and green space objectives based on population growth and publish regular progress reports.
  • Dramatically accelerate tree planting in neighbourhoods — with a particular emphasis where there is limited shade and higher summer temperatures.
  • Protect healthy mature trees wherever practical. When tree removal is necessary, prioritize replacement planting to maintain and expand New Westminster’s long-term tree canopy.
  • Publish an annual Urban Forest Report outlining trees planted, trees removed, canopy gains and losses, and progress toward the City’s canopy goals.
  • Expand partnerships and incentives that encourage tree planting and tree retention on private, institutional and commercial properties.

• Lead by example. The City should demonstrate environmental leadership through the way it does its own work. We will:
  • Continue transitioning City vehicles to electric or low-emission alternatives where operationally practical.
    • Expand public EV charging infrastructure through partnerships with BC Hydro, the provincial and federal governments and private businesses.
    • Make City buildings more energy efficient during renovations and new construction.
    • Continue reducing waste from City operations.

• Invest wisely and protect taxpayers. Environmental responsibility and fiscal responsibility should go hand in hand. We will:
  • Aggressively pursue provincial and federal climate funding before asking local taxpayers to pay more.
  • Require major environmental initiatives to demonstrate measurable environmental benefits and long-term value.
    • Continue seeking partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations and the private sector to make environmental dollars go further.
    • Report annually on the City’s progress preparing for extreme weather and funding received from other levels of government.
  • Cancel the City’s participation in the ‘Sue Big Oil’ campaign and redirect those funds toward local environmental programs.
  • Ensure any future biodiversity initiatives are focused primarily in public parks and green spaces and do not eliminate or impact public access.

• Build healthier neighbourhoods. Looking after our environment begins in our own neighbourhoods. We will:
  • Install more dual-stream (both recycling and garbage) receptacles throughout parks, commercial districts and public spaces where there is a demonstrated need.
  • Expand public bottle and can collection stations to encourage recycling while supporting those who collect returnable bottles and cans.
  • Work with the New Westminster School District to improve access to cooling spaces during extreme heat events, and determine our legal ability to implement a Cool Schools By-law requiring schools and portables to maintain a maximum indoor temperature.
  • Continue supporting community gardens, neighbourhood tree planting and volunteer environmental stewardship initiatives.
  • Increase shade and cooling infrastructure in parks, playgrounds, around schools, public gathering spaces and areas most affected by heat.
  • Explore opportunities to establish an urban farm that supports local food production, environmental education, volunteerism and community partnerships.
  • Work with BC Hydro to identify more opportunities in Connaught Heights for new publicly accessible green space the public can use in their existing rights of way.

Enough talk. Let’s get New Westminster ready for tomorrow.

The NWP is running a team of 13 candidates for New Westminster city council and school board in the upcoming municipal election. The NWP’s platform is informed by ongoing conversations with residents through New West City Matters, the party’s community listening initiative.

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