New Westminster, B.C. (June 22, 2026) — The New Westminster Progressives (NWP) have launched their Safer, Cleaner, and More Welcoming Neighbourhoods platform – a comprehensive set of non-policing initiatives that will increase the vibrancy of public spaces, enhance safety, support the most vulnerable in our city, and clean things up.
“Taken together, these initiatives will bring our streets and public spaces back to life and make them safe again,” says Daniel Fontaine, NWP mayoral candidate and current New Westminster councillor. “As a team, we have the courage to do the hard things that must get done, which includes not just increased enforcement but also bringing back public music and art, focusing on the basics of cleaning and lighting, and supporting our most vulnerable citizens.”
Safer, Cleaner, and More Welcome Neighbourhoods platform:
- Place at least 12 new Community Enforcement and Safety Officers (CESO) on foot and bicycle patrols in the Downtown, Uptown, Sapperton and Queensborough. They will be a presence in these neighbourhoods at times including evenings and weekends to enhance public safety, increase by-law infraction enforcement and support local businesses. A revitalized Community Policing Office in Queensborough will be assigned a permanent full-time CESO.
- Triple the City’s investment in the successful I’s On the Street program, an initiative by the New Westminster Homeless Coalition Society that provides paid street-cleaning employment for people who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness. Focused on the Downtown and Uptown neighbourhoods, this investment will further help vulnerable individuals gain job skills and community connections – while helping to ensure our streets are clean.
- Work with the New Westminster Police Department and Fraser Health Authority to explore the opportunity to introduce a Car 87-type program to better meet the needs of individuals who are living with a mental illness. Vancouver’s Car 87 program is a collaboration between the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Coastal Health that pairs police officers and nurses to respond to individuals experiencing mental health crisis.
- Launch the VIP (Vibrancy Invites People) initiative to bring more buskers, public art, performances and other cultural activities to key commercial streets and public spaces, creating more activity on the street and helping make our neighbourhoods safer and more vibrant.
- As part of the VIP initiative, pilot new lower cost micro-retail opportunities using decoratively wrapped shipping containers along key locations on Columbia Street. This will add more ‘eyes on the street’ and offer local retailers a cost-effective portal on to ‘The Golden Mile’.
- Enhance regular street cleaning and add 100 new waste and recycling bins in busy pedestrian areas.
- Insist that TransLink and key stakeholders keep the New Westminster & Columbia SkyTrain stations clean and secure, making them a welcoming gateway to those entering our city via rapid transit.
- Establish a new TAG Team to dramatically reduce graffiti by requiring the removal of hate-based and offensive graffiti on public property within 4 hours and all other graffiti within 72 hours.
- Increase lighting to improve safety and visibility in key public spaces within high density neighbourhoods.
- Establish a new Crime Reduction and Public Safety Task Force to coordinate action and deliver results.
- The Mayor will seek appointment as Chair of the New Westminster Police Board.
“Our city government must be honest with itself about the state of our public spaces,” says Paul Minhas, a New West business-owner who is running for re-election with NWP. “It is time for action – firm, yes, but also compassionate and in coordination with our police and local non-profit organizations doing tremendous work in our community.”
The NWP is running 13 candidates for New Westminster city council and school board in the upcoming municipal election.
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