The second video in a series about the #NewWest approach to housing, this one on the need to meet market demand, address recent provincial regulatory changes, and assure we are investing in community-supporting infrastructure.

Turns out that wasn’t the final straw.

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There is nuance here. It’s not that Metro Vancouver (the government) won’t meet it’s targets, it’s that we (the general public) won’t meet Metro Vancouver’s targets. The difference matters. www.nsnews.com/environment/... 🧵

Lots went on at yesterday's #NewWest Council Meeting. Well, a few things happened anyway. www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/09/coun...

The magic mix that #NewWest residents know: when you lead with Transit-Oriented Development, walkability and transit access, you become the most affordable city in Metro Vancouver.

At the Q’Boro Community Centre for tonight’s #NewWest Council meeting. Look at this new school they are building next door!

Not far off…

Wild. $2.8 Billion less money to fund climate action, never mind schools, hospitals, transit, or housing, and gas prices are the same as a year ago. $2.8 Billion taken from your public services, from your pocket, to boost the record profits of oil companies. Good work all around, folks.

The first part of addressing the housing crisis is keeping folks secure in the home they have. In this first in a series of videos about the New West approach to housing, Mayor Johnstone talks about the ways #NewWest has lead in protecting vulnerable residents facing a market driven by speculation.

Any shift away from EPR means higher property tax, reduced recycling, & more hassle for the general public, only to benefit the corporations selling the products in the first place. This is a backwards move. h/t @stefanlabbe.bsky.social www.vancouverisawesome.com/economy-law-...

This is bafflegab. What results do you get when you have no objectives to measure against? Results like annual wildfire smoke warnings and entire communities burned to the ground? Results like 619 heat dome deaths? Results like droughts and global refugee crises? What’s the goal here?

Call me naïve, but I think the best way for elected officials to show they support affordable housing is to vote for it when the opportunity arises. I'm proud to lead a City that says "yes". www.communityfirstnw.ca/new_west_bre...

We won’t talk about Game 3. See you tomorrow night! #GoBelliesGo #25in25

Facebook: “this is something I hate” Insta: “this is something I like” X: “you should hate this thing” Bluesky: “ha! look what some idiots are hating now!”

Neil played Powderfinger, and we caught a Mark V! It’s all coming up Milhouse!

What a life lived. An NHL goaltender while going through law school. Following a hall of fame career with service to community when there were no doubt more profitable paths. And a great writer. Thanks Ken.

Hey #Newwest. If you have not seen the ‘Bellies play - *Get*Mann*Cup*Tickets! The QPA was booming tonight, with the home team scoring a last second goal to tie before dominating overtime. The room was electric! #25in25.

It’s nail biting time. #NewWest #25in25

It was an honour to join Rhonda Larabee and other dignitaries today in welcoming the Six Nations Chiefs to #NewWest, and to break bread with the Salmonbellies as they prepare for the 2025 Mann Cup. First game is tomorrow night, and Queens Park Arena will rock! www.salmonbellies.com/news/the-man...

lol imagine if Polievre invited the Project 2025 guy to cabinet

One more deep breath, Fresh forest oxygen and Power for the fray. Tomorrow back at it; The best year yet.

#NewWest is proudly served every day by members of CUPE Local 387, IIAF Local 256, and IBEW 213. Protecting drinking water, pruning trees, teaching kids to swim, enforcing bylaws, keeping the lights on and putting fires out. Happy Labour Day to the everyday heroes that keep our City safe!

Huckleberries!

Wild how many ChatGTP letters to mayor and council we are getting all of the sudden on random issues. What’s the ethics of me just having the chatbot reply?

This would not be “cost effective”, would not “solve” any transportation problems, and the environmental impact would not be “minimal”. Other than that, it would be a great way to destroy communities!

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Two photos. If you are a real #Wilco fan, you know exactly what songs these are (alt text for answers)

Part 2 of my reporting out on this week’s #NewWest Council meeting - this part more about the work we got done and less about the politics: www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/08/coun...

We had a lot of good discussion at #NewWest Council this week that centre on some pretty fundamental values. Good policy vs politics. As always, I report out, and expect people will recognize my biases. www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/08/coun...

No link (I don’t want to platform transphobia and residential school denialism) but this blog post is a special gift I will always cherish:

Rock Looked Way Cooler Wet

Happy that we have a renewed service contract that will see the QtoQ Ferry continue to serve #NewWest through to 2030. This is a service residents on both sides of the North Arm appreciate, and one more thing that makes New Westminster's Riverfront unique. Ahoy! www.newwestcity.ca/city_hall/me...

This is definitely a "proud of the work; won't stop now!" We've said yes to applications & made it easier to open & operate childcare across the City, giving parents more options. Now #NewWest ranks 4th out of 56 districts in BC for childcare accessibility. www.communityfirstnw.ca/new_westmins...

Part 4 of my series on the current #NewWest OCP work related to new housing regulations and Housing Accelerator Funding: including a discussion on the part we aren't getting done fast enough: Affordable Housing. www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/08/our-...

Welcome to BC, where blowing through a light that's been red for 20 seconds, severely injuring a father, and killing his infant daughter, gets you found "not guilty of driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm."

What topic can you nerd out about with the passion and knowledge of Cena on the Flat White? For me I'd suggest 1980s Queen albums (no synths!) and handbuilt bicycle wheels (DT spokes my friends, always DT spokes).

What a week. It was busy one. and like most of you, I'm looking to unwind a bit this a weekend, & the forecast is great for some outdoor activities in #NewWest! Start with #FridaysOnFront tonight! Expect some 16-bit music & the usual good times: www.fridaysonfront.ca/event-nights...

There it is! After losing all three games against the #1 Adanacs this season, the ‘Bellies take the WLA championship in 5 games! What a playoffs for this team! Hey #NewWest Get ready to host the Mann Cup!

Great impromptu meeting with a group of Downtown #NewWest businesses this afternoon. We talked about the work the City is doing to address Homelessness, Mental Health & Addictions, the progress on the Crises Response Plan, and where we all see the need for the Province and Feds to step up!

More about the City of #NewWest updating our OCP and zoning to meet provincial regulations and Housing Accelerator Fund commitments. This chapter is all about townhouses and SSMUH. www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/08/our-...

My hot take is if there is a single corporation so essential to national interests, then that corporation should be nationalized and its employees should be paid living wages for every hour they work.

Can't have 🌈 without a little 🌧️! The good news is that the clouds are going to part in time for the #NewWest Pride Street Fest! 3:00 - 8:00 on Columbia Street!

I learned a new word. “Aestivation”. It’s like hibernation, but in the summer instead of the winter, and it seems like a pretty good idea.

But there are still great #NewWest Pride events happening tonight - a Movie at Douglas, a Dance Party at the Terminal! AND the forecast for the Street Party tomorrow is good! Think of this rain as a little pre-event street cleaning!

⚠️ Fridays On Front New West Pride Takeover is cancelled ⚠️ Due to heavy rainfall, we are cancelling tonight's Fridays On Front (August 15th). We appreciate everyone’s support and understanding, and we can’t wait to see you all next Friday (August 22nd) for our final event of the season! 💗

I've been writing about the ongoing OCP update work in #NewWest to address the new housing legislation & our HAF commitments. Here's an outline of how we hope to integrate Bill 47 "Transit Oriented Development Areas" into our OCP: www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/08/our-...

Nice to read about #NewWest leadership on protecting renters mentioned in some obscure eastern town called *Toronto*. Proud we lead on this, and that renters across the country are benefiting. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

The City of #NewWest is working though OCP updates to meet Provincial housing regulations & Housing Accelerator Fund commitments. It's not the end of the housing spectrum where our need is most urgent, but its work we need to do, so I'm unpacking the details: www.patrickjohnstone.ca/2025/08/our-...

It was a great evening! A great chance to connect with so many new residents of the City and talk about what folks love about living in #NewWest