New Westminster, B.C. (July 13, 2026) — The New Westminster Progressives (NWP) have launched their Responsible Growth platform — a plan to build complete communities, modernize City Hall, and ensure growth improves residents’ quality of life rather than diminishing it.
New Westminster has welcomed thousands of new residents over the past decade and is now Canada’s second most densely populated city. Our community has played a central role in helping address Metro Vancouver’s housing needs.
However, that housing growth has come without supporting infrastructure. The result is familiar to families and businesses across the city – traffic is backed up, park space per resident has declined, schools are crowded, recreation and cultural facilities have not kept pace, and permits take far too long to move through City Hall.
Enough talk. Let’s build complete neighbourhoods.
“New Westminster has done its share to help meet the region’s housing needs,” says Daniel Fontaine, NWP mayoral candidate and current New Westminster councillor. “But growth without infrastructure is not responsible growth. Residents have told us through New West City Matters that they want parks, schools, green space, jobs, transportation and community facilities that keep pace with development. Our plan is simple — build complete communities, protect what makes New West special, and make City Hall work better for residents and businesses.”“Responsible growth means being thoughtful about where growth happens and making sure the basics are in place,” says Rick Folka, NWP council candidate. “We should focus new housing in carefully selected neighbourhoods, especially around SkyTrain hubs, and advocate for Density Dollars so growth helps pay for the amenities and infrastructure residents need.”
- Advocate for “Density Dollars” from senior governments so growth pays for new parks, schools, childcare, transportation improvements and community facilities.
- Focus growth in carefully selected neighbourhoods, especially around SkyTrain hubs, where transit, services and amenities can support new housing.
- Slow the pace of growth, where necessary, to allow infrastructure and public amenities to catch up.
- Prioritize new parks and green space in neighbourhoods experiencing the greatest growth.
- Ensure Community Amenity Contributions are invested primarily where growth is occurring.
- Introduce a Complete Communities Test before approving major neighbourhood plans.
2. Protect neighbourhood character while embracing thoughtful growth. Growth should strengthen our community — not erase what makes it special. We will:
- Support gentle density while respecting existing neighbourhood character.
- Continue supporting the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area.
- Work with neighbourhoods to establish additional Heritage Conservation Areas where there is demonstrated community support.
- Prioritize planning opportunities in communities like Connaught Heights, where residents have long advocated for additional housing choices.
- Protect industrial lands that support family-supporting jobs.
3. Modernize City Hall. Residents and businesses deserve faster approvals and better customer service. We will:
- Reduce permit approval times by at least 40 per cent during the next Council term.
- Publish quarterly online performance dashboards.
- Create a dedicated Permit Concierge to help applicants navigate the approval process.
- Expand online permitting, electronic inspections and real-time application tracking.
- Pilot artificial intelligence tools to improve permit reviews and reduce unnecessary delays.
- Launch a Red Tape Reduction Task Force made up of builders, architects, engineers, business owners, residents and City staff.
4. Deliver a Customer Service Guarantee. City Hall should work at the speed of today’s economy. For complete applications, we will work toward clear service standards and report publicly on our progress, including:
- Planning and development inquiries within 3 business days.
- Building permit completeness reviews within 5 business days.
- Simple permits within 10 business days.
- Standard residential permits within 15 business days.
- Commercial permits within 25 business days.
- Inspection requests within 2 business days.
- Emails and phone calls within 2 business days.
5. Revitalize Downtown. A stronger downtown benefits the entire city. We will:
- Work with the owner of the former Army & Navy property to accelerate a bold mixed-use redevelopment with housing, retail, office, restaurants and public gathering spaces.
- Encourage redevelopment of long vacant and underutilized downtown properties.
- Support and encourage temporary active community uses while vacant sites await redevelopment.
- Continue revitalizing Columbia Street through innovative ideas such as micro-retail, public art and pedestrian-friendly improvements.
6. Support housing with compassion and common sense. Housing affordability remains one of our community’s greatest challenges. We will:
- Work collaboratively with BC Housing and senior governments to expand affordable and supportive housing options.
- Advocate to senior levels of government for a fair regional distribution of supportive housing throughout Metro Vancouver.
- Reduce unnecessary barriers that delay new housing.
- Prioritize the development of a wider range of housing choices for seniors, families and first-time buyers.
This fall, vote for change in New West — and for growth that builds complete communities.
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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