Message from the President
On behalf of the New West Progressives (NWP), I want to take a moment to reflect back over the last year and look ahead to 2020.
As President, I’m pleased report that in 2019 our team continued to work on your behalf to maintain a strong presence in the community. This includes coordinating a delegation at the 2019 budget meeting at city hall as well as promoting the establishment of www.newwestcouncilwatch.ca – a blog committed to writing and covering issues pertaining to city affairs.
We’re also pleased to have played a key role in supporting an online petition aimed at preventing the relocation of our recycle depot to Coquitlam next February. So far, over 1250 people have signed the petition with hundreds of people leaving comments about why it’s important to keep the facility in our community. If you haven\’t already signed the petition, there is still time to do so by clicking here.
A delegation, including representatives from the NWP, are scheduled to present the petition to city hall on Monday, January 13th at 7 pm. You are invited to attend in-person. For those who also want to address council, you are entitled to speak for up to five minutes. If you\’re interested in either attending or speaking, be sure to email info@nwprogressives.ca. A strong delegation would help encourage city hall politicians to give their ill-conceived decision a second thought.![\"\"](\"https://nwprogressives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/connellyengagement.jpg\")
It’s also worth noting that NWP school trustee Danielle Connelly was instrumental in advocating for several key motions over the past year. This includes Connelly asking staff to look into holding one education committee meeting during the daytime as a means of encouraging more student involvement in the overall decision-making process.
Connelly also led the charge in getting the school board to pass a motion to expand the free HPV vaccination program to more boys – as not all of them are eligible for program. Connelly’s efforts resulted in the board approving her motion and a letter being sent to the BC Health Minister advocating for change. You can click here to read more about her efforts in a recent Globe and Mail story published on November 29th.
Early next year the NWP will begin implementing our new 2020-2022 Strategic Plan which our Board of Directors developed this fall. The plan aims to increase our overall community engagement and help to ensure that we continue to keep a spotlight on decisions being made at city hall and the school board. Part of this plan includes identifying and recruiting a full slate of candidates in time for the 2022 civic election. Most significantly, this includes running a strong mayoral candidate.
Our door is always open to you if you want to provide us with feedback, ideas or suggestions on how we can become an even stronger civic-based community organization. We\’re also very appreciative of any financial contribution you may want to make to help us prepare for 2022.
On behalf of the entire Board of Directors and our membership, I want to thank you for your continued support and wish you all the best of the season and a Happy New Year!
Daniel Fontaine
President