Community First New Westminster is pleased that the City’s Ethics Commissioner, in response to a complaint filed by New Westminster Progressive Councillors Fontaine and Minhas, has concluded that Mayor Patrick Johnstone acted in good faith when he attended an international summit on climate change in Dubai last November. While the report found a formal breach of section 105 of the Community Charter, it concluded that the “breach… was occasioned out of inadvertence” and that the Mayor was “motivated … to further the City’s goals with respect to climate change.” The report found that the costs of Mayor Johnstone’s attendance at the COP 28 Climate Action Conference were part of a normal social obligation of his office, but that the hotel, airfare and meal costs paid by the sponsor organization were not. The Ethics Commissioner concluded that the Mayor acted in good faith and proactively disclosed details of the trip to the City’s Corporate Officer, and that there was no reason for the Mayor to “doubt the soundness of the advice that he received.” Read the summary report here, and the full version here.  The Ethics Commissioner recommended that Mayor Johnstone receive further training regarding section 105 of the Community Charter and he has already accepted the Commissioner’s recommendation. In fact, well before the report was issued, Community First councillors voted in favour of providing training regarding section 105 of the Community Charter to all members of Council in a motion passed unanimously on January 22, 2024. “The transparency with which this complaint was investigated is exactly why Community First supported the creation of an independent Ethics Commissioner,” said Community First New Westminster Vice-Chair James Richardson. “The City was invited on this trip in recognition of our leadership fighting climate change, and councillors Fontaine and Minhas have a problem with that,” said Richardson. "We are proud of the work that our Mayor and Council are doing to promote local and global solutions to climate change, and we will continue that work despite the so-called New West Progressives ongoing efforts to derail that agenda.” Read Johnstone's official response here.   For comment, email [email protected]  

Hello Community First friends and supporters! We are inviting you to participate in these upcoming events:  Support kids and get active KidSport is hosting its annual MOVE430 fundraiser, where participants sign up for a virtual all-ages challenge to move for 30 minutes every day throughout April. Activities can include running, walking, hiking, yoga, cycling’s swimming or working out. Registration opens March 1, and the challenge runs from April 1 to 30. Registration costs $30, and funds go to the BC chapter of your choice.  KidSport is a non-profit that provides grants to families to remove financial barriers to sport. In 2023, KidSport provided $41,000 in grants to 120 kids in New Westminster alone.  Register here :)   Join our team: Steel & Oak Beer Run Community First will also have a team in Steel & Oak’s sold-out annual Beer Run, and we’re inviting more people to join. The event takes place Saturday, May 11, and involves a 2.5 km loop starting at Queen’s Park. Participants can walk or run. There will be post-event socializing with a beer garden and food truck. Registration is $45, and while the event is sold out, you can still join Mayor Patrick Johnstone, Councillors Tasha Henderson and Ruby Campbell, and School Trustee Cheryl Sluis on our fast-growing team. Register here  Save the date: July 14 for Guru Nanak Free Kitchen Bike/Walk  On Sunday, July 14, Guru Nanak is hosting their free kitchen fundraiser to help feed people in need. Stay tuned for more details. Community First will have a team for this event as well. Click here for more details. 

Community First members of New Westminster city council passed five resolutions at the February 26th council meeting advocating for senior government action on various issues important to the community of New Westminster. Continue reading

Innovative new Community Advisory Assembly launched Continue reading

Hello everyone, We would like to respond to some recent questions about Councillor Nadine Nakagawa and her membership with Community First New Westminster. Continue reading

Our response to Daniel Fontaine’s press release regarding the Mayor's COP28 attendance As promised in our election platform, Community First councillors have built climate action into every aspect of our city’s work. Meanwhile, the New Westminster Progressives have sought to undermine the Climate Action Levy and other efforts to meet our climate goals. Despite this, community members continued voicing their support for climate action, telling council this work is important. We listened. And we are proud that New Westminster is recognized as a leader on climate action. Continue reading