New West Tenants Mobilize + Water Conservation

Issue #223

Author

Carla McNeil
May 06, 2025

Inside the New West Spotlight

 ☀️ Weather - Sunny

 😜 Rain Joke - Why does a momma kangaroo hate the rain? 🦘 

 💝 You’re So Sweet - Thank you, Jeanine D.!

 🗓️ New West Events - Variety

 🗞️ New West Local News - New West Tenants Mobilize + Water Conservation

 📰 Advertise with New West Spotlight - Buy One, Get One Free

Thank you, Jeanine - you are so sweet!

Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 20.1 2021 - Record low 7.0 2015

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

May 06, 2025

🗣️ English Conversation Circles All Levels – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

📖 Storytime (3-5 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🎭️ Cultural Collab – 3:15 PM to 8:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form – 5:00 PM

🍺 🎲 Beer and Board Games – 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🌺 Floral Art Photography with Jana Zachariou – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Tuesdays at Howe Sound New West – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

May 07, 2025

📱 Seniors Embracing Technology – 10:00 AM to 12:00 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

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

👶 Babytime (0-23 months) – 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM

🎒 After-School Drop-In (5-12 years) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎉 It's a Wrap Party – 3:15 PM to 9:00 PM

📚️ Pyjama Storytime (All ages) – 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM

👨 In-person Dark Horse Men’s Group Meeting – 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM

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

🏃 Run Club  – 7:00 PM

👦👧 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎤 Open Mic Jam at Bully’s Studio – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

❓️ Trivia Night at Frankie G’s – 7:30 PM

May 08, 2025

👩‍⚕️ BC Health Connect 2025 – 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🗣️ English Conversation Circles for All Levels – 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months) – 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🏓 Intro to Pickleball Drop-in – 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

🍅 Farmers Market – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

📝 SFU Writing Consults – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🍪 Mommy and Me Cookie Decorating Workshop – 5:30 PM in Tipperaary Park

📚️ Drop-in Wildfires Bookshop – 5:45 PM

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

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

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

🎭️ Comedy Exposed – 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎭️ Vagabond Players Presents The Revolutionists – 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Tenants at several New Westminster addresses—217 Royal Avenue, 345 Cedar Street, and 461 Griffiths Place—have recently learned that their buildings are up for sale, with listings promoting the potential for demolition and redevelopment under B.C.'s new Transit Oriented Development (TOD) legislation. While the listings have raised concerns among renters, local housing advocates are urging calm and collective action.

A growing group of downtown tenants has been lobbying the city for a strengthened Tenant Assistance Policy. Their aim: to secure protections that would guarantee tenants are offered new homes at the same rent, even after redevelopment. Their efforts are already bearing fruit, as some developers have been required to provide such assurances.

Now, these renters are reaching out to residents in the listed buildings to build a coalition. They hope to raise awareness about tenant rights, provide education, and push for policy adoption that will shield renters from displacement and unaffordable rent increases.

Residents are encouraged to connect and get involved through email, voicemail, or by reading the advocacy group's informational brochure. The broader goal is to ensure redevelopment doesn’t come at the cost of tenant stability.

New Westminster residents: Lawn watering is now limited to one morning per week

As of May 1, Stage 1 water restrictions are officially in effect across Metro Vancouver, including New Westminster. Lawn watering is now permitted only one morning per week, based on your address. The move is part of the region’s broader efforts to conserve drinking water as we head into the dry summer months.

👉 Check your designated watering day and time at:
www.metrovancouver.org/lawns
And remember to update automatic irrigation settings to avoid fines.

🛠️ Part of a Bigger Plan to Protect Our Water

These restrictions are just one piece of the region's long-term Drinking Water Conservation Plan, which aims to reduce water consumption and maintain a reliable supply for the future. Key strategies include:

  • Installing water meters and performing leak detection across the system.

  • Educating the public through school programs, online resources, and community campaigns.

  • Encouraging water-efficient upgrades, such as low-flow toilets and smart irrigation systems.

  • Promoting drought-tolerant landscaping and sustainable garden practices.

Over the next 10 years, New Westminster and other municipalities will implement a mix of short- and long-term initiatives to ensure clean, safe water is available for generations to come.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️Why does a momma kangaroo hate the rain? 🦘 

🏀 Because on those days the kids have to play inside. 🧸 

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