daniel fontaine launches mayoral run, targets ‘one-party rule’ in new westminster
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daniel fontaine is running for mayor of new westminster with the new west progressives. handout: daniel fontaine
new westminster city councillor daniel fontaine has launched his bid for mayor in the 2026 municipal election.
speaking to supporters gathered thursday, fontaine, a founding member of the new west progressives (nwp), framed his candidacy as a challenge to what he described as “50 years of essentially one-party rule” in the city. he pledged that the nwp is ready to govern — and that he’s ready to replace current mayor patrick johnstone at the helm.
“one year from the start of the next municipal election, with an established team of city councillors and school trustees, i am here to say: the nwp is ready to lead this great city,” he announced.
the new west progressives currently hold two city council seats, held by fontaine and coun. paul minhas. however, johnstone’s party, community first new west, maintains a council majority with four serving members.
on thursday, fontaine criticized the city’s current administration, which has been in power since johnstone’s 2022 election as mayor after he served two terms as a city councillor.
narrowing in on infrastructure, public safety and city services, fontaine claimed new westminster has deteriorated.
“no new pools. playgrounds fell behind. ice rinks and community centres didn’t keep up … small business owners, many of whom are victims of crime and impacted by public disorder, are struggling to keep their doors open,” he said.
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“in my three years on council, under a community first majority, it hasn’t got better. it’s got worse, especially when it comes to public safety and the cleanliness of our streets.”
he said the public is demanding more direct service delivery: “we need less managers managing managers managing consultants, and we need more front line bylaw officers, more street cleaners, more park rangers and an emphasis on more public servants who actually deliver services to the public — not just shuffle paper.”
daniel fontaine is running for mayor of new westminster with the new west progressives. he is pictured here at a recent party event in new westminster. handout: daniel fontaine
while mayor johnstone hasn’t announced any plan for re-election, he told postmedia news saturday that if he runs, it won’t be until later.
“daniel’s been campaigning for three years while we were trying to get stuff done. i’m going to concentrate on delivering for the community while i let him campaign for the next year.”
responding to fontaine’s criticisms, johnstone outlined what he views as his administration’s successes: “we’re meeting our potential housing targets, our crime severity index is lower than it’s been in years, metro vancouver just announced that we’re the most affordable city in the lower mainland in terms of housing and transportation costs and we’ve opened a spectacular new aquatic and community centre.”
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he added, “what i really want to ask daniel is, what part of that does he want to change?”
tensions between fontaine and johnstone have long been heated in council meetings, reaching a boiling point during a july 7 discussion over community program grants.
nearing the end of the meeting after coun. ruby campbell spoke in support of a funding amendment, fontaine suggested the timing was politically motivated, saying: “i’m glad it’s not coming forward from myself or from councillor minhas. i have a feeling because it’s coming from the mayor, it likely will get voted in.”
patrick johnstone at the city’s pier park area wednesday, january 29, 2025.
jason payne
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he also called the timing “coincidental” in an election year. johnstone then interrupted, citing a point of order from coun. nadine nakagawa, who labelled the remarks as inappropriate. as fontaine continued speaking off-mic, johnstone declared him out of order several times and eventually called for a five-minute recess so “people can gather themselves a little bit and learn the rules of order.”
fontaine then left the chambers, which ended the meeting since there weren’t enough council members to continue. fontaine later publicly apologized.
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