New Westminster, B.C. (August 24, 2026) — From live music in Hyack Square to fireworks over the Fraser River, a reimagined Columbia District and more places for local artists to create and be seen, the New Westminster Progressives have released Celebrate New West — a plan to put more colour, energy and civic pride into public life across the city.
“A vibrant city is about more than buildings and infrastructure — it is about creating places where people want to gather, celebrate, shop, dine and experience everything our community has to offer,” says Daniel Fontaine, NWP mayoral candidate and current New Westminster councillor. “New Westminster already has the history, the waterfront, the artists, the small businesses and the community pride to be one of Metro Vancouver’s most exciting destinations. What has been missing is a clear plan to activate our streets, support local culture and give people more reasons to come downtown, stay longer and come back again.”
The NWP believe arts, culture and community events should be experienced throughout New Westminster. By supporting local artists, celebrating the city’s history, activating public spaces and investing in memorable events, the plan aims to strengthen the local economy, attract more visitors and foster greater civic pride.
“New Westminster’s artists and cultural organizations help tell the story of who we are,” says Maryann Morrison, NWP council candidate. “We want to make it easier for local artists to find affordable spaces, share their work, animate our streets and help make New Westminster a more creative, colourful and welcoming city.”
“Great events give people a reason to come together — and a reason to come back,” says Ray Porcellato, NWP council candidate. “Whether it is concerts, festivals, markets, parades or fireworks along the waterfront, New Westminster should be known as the place on the Fraser River where something exciting is always happening.”
Let’s celebrate what makes New Westminster special.
Our Six-Point Action Plan
- Rebrand ‘Downtown New Westminster’ to the new Columbia District. We’ll aim to establish Columbia Street (including Front St, Carnarvon St and waterfront) as one of Metro Vancouver’s premier destinations for arts, culture, dining and entertainment. We will:
- Partner with Tourism New Westminster, Arts New West, Heritage New West, and local businesses to promote the new Columbia District brand.
- Install attractive banners, gateway signage, public art and wayfinding that celebrates the district’s unique heritage and character – including the fact the Columbia District includes some incredible heritage building and BC’s original downtown.
- Encourage more restaurants, cafés, live music venues, patios and evening attractions.
- Market the Columbia District throughout Metro Vancouver as a year-round destination for dining, shopping, arts and entertainment.
- Activate our streets through the VIP program. A vibrant downtown attracts people, supports businesses and improves public safety. We will:
- Eliminate patio fees for local restaurants, cafes, and bars.
- Launch the VIP (Vibrancy Initiative Program) to bring year-round activity to our public spaces.
- Expand the number of licensed street entertainers, musicians and performers throughout the Columbia District.
- Simplify permits for street entertainers, outdoor performances and community festivals.
- Encourage more evening programming including live music, food trucks, artisan markets and family activities.
- Increase the activation of Hyack Square to ensure it becomes a year-round ‘entertainment hub.’ This includes working with the New West Electrical Utility to upgrade the on-site infrastructure to support live performances.
- Create more reasons to visit New Westminster. We’ll bring back the community events residents have been asking for while introducing exciting new attractions. We will:
- Work with community partners to bring back the popular Show & Shine classic car show.
- Support the return of Car Free Day on Columbia Street.
- Explore the possibility of reinstating the popular Santa Claus Parade.
- Expand free outdoor concerts, movie nights, waterfront festivals and neighbourhood celebrations.
- Reinstate Canada Day fireworks in the Fraser River for viewing along the boardwalks in Queensborough, Downtown & Quayside.
- Celebrate our artists, heritage and culture. Our artists and history help define who we are. We will:
- Work with Arts New West to dedicate a portion of the City’s new micro-retail shipping containers as affordable studios, galleries and retail spaces for local artists, artisans and cultural organizations.
- Wrap shipping containers with vibrant local artwork, Indigenous art and historic New Westminster photographs, transforming them into attractions in their own right.
- Expand opportunities for murals, temporary public art and interactive heritage installations.
- Support cultural festivals that celebrate the diversity of our community while honouring our Royal City’s rich history.
- Continue working toward the installation of a permanent Ernie ‘Punch’ McLean statue recognizing one of New Westminster’s greatest sports icons and find new opportunities to recognize historic figures who have contributed to making our city what it is today.
- Become the events capital of the Fraser River. We have one of the most beautiful waterfronts in British Columbia. Let’s make it one of the most exciting. We will:
- Expand year-round programming along our waterfront including concerts, festivals and family-friendly events.
- Explore opportunities with the Fraser River Discovery Centre, Tourism New Westminster, Hyack Festival Association and local organizations to create new signature riverfront events – and expand existing ones.
- Develop and better market a coordinated annual calendar of events that attracts visitors from across Metro Vancouver.
- Position New Westminster as The Events Capital of the Fraser River.
- Work with the Port Authority and senior orders of government to explore the installation of permanent boat docking facilities in our downtown district.
- Celebrate the Fraser River as the heart of New Westminster by supporting cultural, educational, and heritage programming that highlights its environmental, Indigenous, historical, and economic significance to our city.
- Make our cultural facilities more accessible. Our publicly funded arts facilities should be welcoming, affordable and filled with community activity. We will:
- Work with the Massey Theatre Society to create a Community Access Program offering more affordable rental opportunities for New Westminster arts and cultural organizations.
- Review theatre rental fees, technical costs and booking policies with the aim of reducing barriers for New Westminster based community groups and emerging artists.
- Refresh the exterior of Massey Theatre with more vibrant architectural features, public art, lighting and paint colour to create a welcoming landmark that reflects the creativity taking place inside.
- Improve exterior signage and install prominent digital displays at Anvil Centre promoting performances, exhibitions and events to the hundreds of thousands of SkyTrain riders and drivers travelling through Downtown New Westminster each year.
- Better connect Massey Theatre and Anvil Centre programming with Tourism New Westminster, local businesses and the Columbia District.
- Explore a new downtown library presence, with an arts, culture & heritage component that makes it uniquely New Westminster.
Together, these commitments are about making New Westminster feel more alive, more welcoming and more unmistakably itself — a city where local artists are supported, community traditions are renewed, businesses benefit from more foot traffic, and residents and visitors have more reasons to gather, celebrate and take pride in our city.
Media Contact
Shawn Hall,
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604-619-7913