Citizen Group Launches New Coalition Focused on 2018 Civic Election

New Westminster residents and businesses encouraged to get involved and become part of the solution

(New Westminster, BC) November 1, 2017: A new coalition has formed in New Westminster with the aim of establishing a formal elector organization in early 2018. The New Westminster Progressive Electors Coalition (NWPEC) plans to field a slate of candidates for both City Council and the School Board.

The founding members of the Coalition include Daniel Fontaine (Chair), Lisa Falbo, (Vice-Chair), Danielle Connelly (Chair of Communications) and B.C. Lee, (Chair of Neighbourhood Engagement). A growing number of local residents – from every corner of the city – are already onboard and working to support the launch of an elector organization next year.

“I keep hearing from people in our community that they are looking for positive new ideas and want to support a diversity of opinions at City Hall,” says Fontaine. “Our vision, mission and core set of principles is resonating with a broad cross-section of our community and it\’s helping to build momentum leading up to the October 2018 civic election.”

NWPEC’s mission statement includes five key components:

• Equitably represent the interests of all New Westminster residents, local businesses, and public employees by working collaboratively and in a non-partisan manner
• Implement balanced, progressive policies that enhance and support the diverse social, environmental, housing, and economic needs of our city
• Provide demonstrated value for the investment of our tax dollars
• Ensure our city properly manages growth to benefit today’s residents and future generations
• Play an active role in helping to maintain our region as one of the healthiest and most livable places on Earth

In advance of establishing the elector organization, NWPEC has launched a website so that members of the public can contact the group’s steering committee and become engaged. The Coalition also has a presence on social media with the launch of our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts aimed at reaching a wide cross-section of New Westminster residents and businesses.

\”I\’m pleased to see that the NDP Government has introduced new legislation this week which will ban union and corporate donations in time for the 2018 civic election,\” says Fontaine. \”This will certainly help to level the playing field and make it easier for new candidates to get elected.\”

The Coalition plans to launch a series of neighbourhood gatherings and policy development sessions over the coming months. An announcement regarding the establishment of a formal Elections BC registered elector organization will be made by the spring 2018.

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For More Information:
Daniel Fontaine, Chair
778-863-7201
www.nwprogressives.ca
@NWProgressives