Tug Boat or Crown + Family Art Night

New Westminster city council has voted to abandon its municipal rebranding initiative and begin restoring the city's traditional crown logo, reversing a move that introduced a stylized tugboat design.

At a special meeting on November 6, council voted 6-1 to discontinue the rebranding project and direct staff to develop a cost-effective plan to bring back the previous logo.

The decision was included in a broader motion addressing the city's 2027 budget.

Mayor Daniel Fontaine and New Westminster Progressives councillors Ken Armstrong, Karima Budhwani, Rick Folka, Paul Minhas and Maryann Morrison supported the motion. Coun. Tasha Henderson opposed it.

Under the decision, staff must halt further discretionary spending on the rebranding initiative, subject to existing contractual obligations. The city will also prioritize using existing materials to minimize the cost of restoring its former visual identity.

Henderson raised concerns about the financial implications of reversing the rebranding, arguing the change would create additional expenses rather than savings.

She also called for consultation with Host Nations before restoring the crown, citing concerns about reconciliation and the symbol's connection to colonial history.

Her proposed amendment requiring Indigenous engagement was defeated, with all six New Westminster Progressives voting against it.

During the meeting, city director of community services Blair Fryer explained that Host Nations had been invited to provide feedback during the original rebranding process but had not responded. However, First Nations representatives participated in a community advisory committee that helped develop the new branding.

Fontaine defended the return to the crown, citing strong community support for New Westminster's traditional Royal City identity.

The mayor, who is Métis, also questioned whether the tugboat represented a less colonial symbol than the crown, noting that both have historical connections to the community's colonial past.

The original rebranding initiative began in July 2022 under former mayor Jonathan Cote. It aimed to modernize the city's visual identity and gradually phase out the Royal City designation in favour of more inclusive branding.

Following the 2022 municipal election, the Community First-led council continued the initiative despite opposition from Fontaine and Minhas.

The tugboat logo was subsequently introduced, although the transition remained incomplete. Many municipal vehicles still display the crown because the city had planned to introduce updated branding as vehicles were replaced.

City staff will now prepare recommendations for restoring the previous logo while minimizing replacement costs.

The total expense of reversing the rebranding has not yet been determined.

Read the full Article Here

🎨 Get Crafty! A Free Family Night of Art and Fun at Anvil Centre

Looking for a fun way to spend a Monday evening? Bring the family and get ready to make, create and connect at Downtown’s Living Room on November 16 at Anvil Centre!

This edition features “Entrelazados: Threads That Connect Us,” a lively, family-friendly multicultural art experience celebrating the traditions, languages, memories and stories that make our community unique.

Get hands-on with a lineup of creative activities! Make colourful braided friendship bracelets, try your hand at weaving with mini looms, or fold your own origami creations. It’s a chance to explore new artistic traditions, share ideas and discover the many ways we connect with one another.

And the fun doesn’t stop there! Board games will also be available to borrow from the front desk, so you can keep the good times going.

Best of all, it’s FREE and open to all ages! Downtown’s Living Room takes place every Monday, offering a welcoming place to meet neighbours, spend time together and enjoy something a little different.

Drop by the main floor of Anvil Centre on Monday, November 16, between 5:30 and 8 p.m. Bring your curiosity and creativity — everyone’s welcome!

Grab a friend, bring the kids and get creating!

Click here to submit your question to our local Lawyer Cassady Law LLP

🤖 This week’s Tin Man stops:

🛍 New West S.P.C.A Thrift Store

⚙ RealTime Productions Industrial

🍺 Queensborough Tap House and Grill

🍟 Cockney Kings Fish & Chips

🍽 Cabalen Sweets Restaurant & Catering

🛹 Queen's Park Skatepark

🍔 Burger King Drive-thru

Congratulations to last week’s How Well Do You Know New West? winner. 🎉

Ron Rjc

You’ve won a Gift Card for Local Business or Grocery Store from Lower Mainland Purpose Society

To claim your prize, please email, within 48 hours, us at [email protected]. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Thank you to everyone who played this week and shared your local knowledge — we love seeing New West experts in action! 💙

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⛈ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧

🌧️ Why does November rain never sleep in? ⏰😴

It loves an early morning drizzle. 🌄💦

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Tug Boat or Crown + Family Art Night

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Friday November 13, 2026

Saturday November 14, 2026

Sunday November 15, 2026

New Westminster Council Votes to Scrap Tugboat Logo, Restore Crown