Freshwater Protection + Q to Q Ferry Holiday Travel Notice

Issue #455

Author

Carla McNeil
December 24, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌧️ Weather - Light rain

 😜 Rain Joke - How do you make a rain cloud laugh? 😆☁️ 

 🗓️ New West Events - Lots to Choose From

 🗞️ New West Local News - Freshwater Protection + Q to Q Ferry Holiday Travel Notice

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 11.2 2024 - Record low -4.9 2017

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

December 24, 2025

⛪️ Christmas Eve Service at Holy Eucharist Cathedral – 8 AM, 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM

☃️ Frosty Adventures: Animal Adaptations Uncovered – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

👶 Mom + Baby Meet Up at Cove Indoor Play – 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

🍽️ An African Inspired Christmas Buffet at Dehls Gourmet – 12:30 PM to 7:30 PM

⛪️ Christmas at Coastal Church – 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

⛪️ Christmas Eve Service at Freedom Church – 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

❓️ Georgie's Local Trivia Night – 7:00 PM

🏃 Steel & Oak Run Club – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

❓️ Frankie G’s Trivia Night – 7:30 PM

🎄 Holiday Sip & Stroll Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Neighbourhood

December 25, 2025

❄️ Frosty Adventures: Animal Adaptations Uncovered – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

⛪️ Holy Trinity Cathedral – Main Service – 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Karaoke Night – 7:00 PM

🎙️ The Terminal Pub Colossal Thursdays Karaoke – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎤 Notorious Grey Fox Open Mic Jam – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

December 26, 2025

❄️ Frosty Adventures: Animal Adaptations Uncovered – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🧸 Boxing Day Sale at Collected Treasures Co – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

💑 City LOVE Scavenger Hunt Date Night For Couples – 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🪡 Needle Felting Workshop – 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🥊 Boxing Extravaganza - The Terminal Pub – 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🎙️ Notorious Grey Fox Karaoke Friday Nights – 9:00 PM until Close

If you have an event you would like us to list please CLICK HERE.

Photo courtesy of FRDC

There was exciting news flowing at the Fraser River Discovery Centre this week as Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin visited New Westminster to announce a major national investment in protecting Canada’s freshwater. The announcement included over $4.5 million in funding for 39 new freshwater projects across the country, delivered through the Canada Water Agency.

The funding supports community-led initiatives, innovative science, and hands-on action to improve water quality, ecosystem health, and freshwater stewardship—with several projects directly connected to the Fraser River basin, a vital waterway running past New Westminster’s doorstep.

Programs such as EcoAction and the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative will fund projects that reduce pollution, strengthen monitoring, and blend Indigenous and Western knowledge to protect fish, wildlife, and waterways. These efforts aim to keep rivers healthy, resilient, and thriving for future generations.

Hosting the announcement at the FRDC highlighted New Westminster’s important role as a hub for environmental education and river stewardship—proving once again that big national conversations often start right here by the river.

Holiday travelers are encouraged to plan ahead as the Q to Q Ferry has announced several service changes over the holiday period, along with a small fare adjustment beginning in the New Year.

There will be no ferry service on Wednesday, December 25, Thursday, December 26, and Thursday, January 1. In addition, service will end earlier than usual on two days: the last sailing on December 24 will depart at 5 p.m., while the final trip on December 31 will leave at 8 p.m.

Outside of these holiday adjustments, the ferry will continue operating on its current fall schedule throughout the winter season, providing reliable service across the Fraser River.

Looking ahead to 2026, fares will increase slightly starting January 2. This marks the first fare increase since 2022, with most fares rising by less than one dollar. The adjustment helps support the ongoing operation of this popular local service.

Full schedules and updated fare details are available online.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌨️ How do you make a rain cloud laugh? 😆☁️ 

Tell it a wet joke! 🎭️ 

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