At a March 10 meeting, city council received a six-month progress update on the provincial housing target order. The report showed that 702 net new housing units were completed between August 2024 and January 2025, surpassing the city’s Year 1 target by 46 units. Under the province’s five-year mandate, New Westminster must build 4,432 net new units by mid-2029.

While the city continues to meet or exceed housing targets, officials stress that completions depend on developer timelines and market conditions, making long-term planning unpredictable. Nearly all of the newly completed units in the last reporting period were owned properties, with no below-market housing created. However, a permit was recently issued for 52 supportive housing units on Agnes Street.

Councilor Daniel Fontaine emphasized the need for provincial and federal support to address the city’s affordable housing gap. He argued that without significant funding from senior levels of government, demand for affordable housing will continue to outpace supply.

Beyond housing, Fontaine raised concerns that infrastructure development is not keeping pace with population growth. He pointed out that while housing is being built, the city lacks new recreational facilities, parks, and green spaces. In response, he proposed an amendment urging the province to introduce infrastructure targets alongside housing mandates. The amendment received support from other council members, including Councilor Nadine Nakagawa.

Mayor Patrick Johnstone has also been vocal on the issue, previously criticizing the province for setting housing targets without addressing the need for schools, transit expansion, and other critical services. He noted that the recently completed housing units were approved by past councils nearly seven years ago, underscoring the long timeline between approvals and occupancy.

Johnstone recently met with the provincial housing minister to discuss the city’s growth strategy and infrastructure needs. While he acknowledged that discussions are ongoing, he stressed that housing should not be viewed separately from infrastructure—both are essential for a livable community.

As one of Canada’s most densely populated cities, New Westminster continues to push for more balanced growth, ensuring that new housing developments are supported by adequate public amenities and services.

Read the full story here!

🏫 City Council Debates High School for Queensborough, But School Board Says ‘Not Yet’

A Queensborough parent has launched a petition urging the City of New Westminster to advocate for a new high school in the neighborhood, citing severe overcrowding at New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS).

Tony Chee, a local resident with three children, says the lack of a secondary school in Queensborough is putting strain on students and families. NWSS, one of the largest high schools in British Columbia, currently serves around 2,400 students from grades 9 to 12. Chee argues that growing enrollment, coupled with transportation challenges, makes the situation unsustainable.

He highlighted the overcrowding issue by sharing that his child often eats lunch under a staircase due to the lack of available space. He also raised safety concerns, warning that congestion could become dangerous in an emergency.

Chee’s petition calls on New Westminster city council to formally request that the Ministry of Education recognize the capacity crisis and take action toward securing land for a new high school.

Council Discussion and School District Response

On March 11, city council debated a motion by Councillor Daniel Fontaine to send a letter supporting the school district’s efforts to acquire land for a future Queensborough high school. Fontaine stressed the urgency of the matter, noting that a new school could take up to a decade to build and planning should begin immediately.

However, the motion was modified after the city received a letter from School Board Chair Maya Russell, who stated that while high school capacity in Queensborough is part of the district’s long-term facilities plan, it is not an immediate priority. Instead, the district is currently focused on expanding Queen Elizabeth Elementary, purchasing land for a new middle school, and building a modular project at Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary.

Fontaine expressed frustration over what he sees as a disconnect between public demand, provincial commitments, and the school district’s stated priorities. He pointed to district documents that list a Queensborough high school as a priority and questioned why it was not being actively pursued.

School District No. 40's communications manager, Mike Lee, later confirmed that a new secondary school is in the district’s capital plan but remains a long-term goal rather than an immediate focus. The district is preparing a follow-up letter to clarify its position, though no timeline has been provided for its release.

As Queensborough continues to grow, parents like Chee insist that a new high school is essential, hoping their petition will push local and provincial leaders to make it a priority sooner rather than later.🎶

Read the full story here.

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Where’s the Infrastructure? + High School in Queensboro?

Issue #169

Inside the New West Spotlight

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March 13, 2025

March 14, 2025

March 15, 2025

🏘️ Housing Boom in New West, But Where’s the Infrastructure?