Trudeau, Liberals hold strategic edge in poll

from New Westminster Record March 23 2023

New West cops seize cash, drugs, vehicles

Federal Conservative

Party leader Pierre Poilievre was in this province last week as he continues to lay out his plans for taking the country in a different direction than the one steered by the ruling Liberals

Housing was the big topic, as Poilievre again vowed to chase the “gatekeepers” out of power and threatened to withhold federal infrastructure funding (and other money) from big cities that don’t increase homebuilding by at least 15 per cent a year

Issues such as housing, public safety, inflation and such are good ones for the Conservative leader to focus on since so many Canadians are concerned about them

In fact, an Angus Reid Institute survey of almost 5,000 Canadians released the day of his visit to B C showed that inflation is far and away the No 1 issue of concern with voters

There seems to be a lot of worry in this country right now, as the economy looks increasingly fragile and acts of random violence seem to be on the rise Housing remains unaffordable for many, and the health-care system is showing more and more fault lines

So, why aren’t Poilievre and his party soaring in popularity at a time when so many things look to be in trouble, not the least of which is the ruling Liberals?

Some clues can be found in that Angus Reid poll

While the poll showed the Conservatives have a sixpoint lead over the Liberals on a national basis, a closer look shows the party has some serious work to do if it hopes to dislodge the Liberals from power come the next election

For one thing, Justin Trudeau is still preferred as a leader over Poilievre by a significant margin in riding-rich Ontario (41 per cent to 34 per cent) and Quebec (36 per cent to 24 per cent) and by a smaller margin in B C (38 per cent to 33 per cent) Nationally, Trudeau has a slight edge of 37 per cent to 34 per cent

Secondly, the Liberals have strong leads in areas where most of the country’s ridings are located: Greater Toronto, MetroVancouver and Montreal

“CPC leader Pierre Poilievre lags in likeability, while his party lags in mustwin areas,” Angus Reid noted in its poll analysis

The Institute did uncover a finding, however, that should cheer the Conservatives and worry the Liberals

The poll found just 73 per cent of people who voted Liberal in the 2021 election say they will do so again, compared to a finding of 87 per cent for the Conservatives

Still, if an election were held any time soon, that party would still likely hang on to power

But, unlessTrudeau pulls the plug early, the next election is still two years away Plenty of time for Poilievre to improve his popularity in crucial regions

Unless, of course, he finds that he can’t Keith Baldrey is chief political reporter for Global BC

Police the parklet please give us our neighbour ood back

Editor: I think at one time the parklet was a good idea, but not so much anymore

I try to avoid that area now Every time I go by, there are groups of people, usually the same people, yelling, swearing and smoking. The area is full of litter and has become a nuisance I don’t know one family that can enjoy that space normally

The hot rods and excessively loud motorcycles are another story

More police presence would be welcome by everyone, so we can have our neighbourhood back.

Karl Spiess

You don’t get to dictate who uses Belmont parklet

Re: Belmont parklet is an unpleasant waste of New West’s money

Editor: This (writer) wants to defund and censure our city-endorsed community space

If she wants to pick who enters the space, that is discriminatory and she would have to own that space.

We are very lucky Many cities don’t even have places like this to freely assemble because the public space was sold to developers So if you don’t like smokers, move to Langley or something Many big-box-store strip malls have a Starbucks for your imaginary hot soccer moms and single dads.

Sorry, only real people over here just sitting and talking, maybe exchanging views, or someone is enjoying their coffee and cigarette

Dylan MacIntosh

Parklet problems? Easy solution get rid of it

Editor: Regarding the public seating area outside the Tim Hortons, the bigger issue is the cars that are congested on Sixth Street because of the closed lane for this seating area. Families wouldn’t want to sit there due to the drivers yelling at the crosswalk and people swearing at drivers crossing the crosswalk

It would be better to open up the lane and improve traffic flow.

Currently there is a seating area outside the New Westminster Public Library and Dairy Queen one block away A whole lane is taken away, and cars are backed up all the way to Moody Park during rush hour The noise of honking and people’s aggressive attitude

NewWest hydro bills need to be clearer

Editor: I read on the City of New Westminster’s website that they will survey residents for satisfaction of electricity service

I’m not sure if I will get surveyed, but I hope the city should review how they bill us. BC Hydro customers can go online to see their usage in very detailed breakdowns that help them identify any unusual power consumption.

We don’t have that here in New West Yet, the billing period makes it harder to track our usage as the number of days in each billing period is always different I received one bill that was unusually high by looking at the consumption chart

I had to look for the bill for the same month last year to compare, and it is an 11-day diiference. I had to do maths to find out my average usage was normal being stuck in traffic after these seating areas were built have possibly had a bigger impact Families and single people who really want to relax or talk have coffee shops, Moody Park and Queen’s Park all within walking distance So my opinion on the matter would be to remove those seating areas

Dave Santos

We are encouraged to save power, but the city should make it easier for us to see our efforts are working or not when looking at the bills

If we can’t get something “innovative” like BC Hydro’s detailed usage tracking, at least make the number of days (almost) the same for each billing period

Ryan Dang

CITY

SMALL GRANT OPPORTUNITY

TO AMEND THE COUNCIL PROCEDURE BYLAW NO 6910, 2004

The Council of the City of New Westminster intends to amend the Council Procedure Bylaw No 6910, 2004

Council will consider changes to:

• Incorporate the Notice of Motion Process policy;

• Timing for the taking eﬀect of certain motions

Copies of the bylaw amendment are available at newwestcity.ca/publicnotices beginning Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Council will consider adoption of the changes to the bylaw at a City Council meeting on Monday, March 27, 2023

Comments regarding this matter can be forwarded in writing to Legislative Services, by mail, fax (604-527-4594) or email (clerks@newwestcityca) All correspondence is deemed public information

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