Recently, NWHPS’ Board of Directors sent  a list of questions relating to heritage housing in New Westminster to our mayoral candidates. We received responses from all three candidates:  

Do you view the protection of heritage homes and buildings as an asset to New Westminster?”

Ken Armstrong, New West Progressives: Yes, we view the protection of heritage homes and buildings as an asset to New Westminster, the oldest city west of the Red River. We believe heritage protection is an asset to the brand that is New Westminster.

Patrick Johnstone, Community First New West: Yes. New Westminster’s historic buildings are part of the unique mix that differentiates New West from other municipalities in Greater Vancouver, both in how they frame our downtown and in how they make up unique residential neighbourhoods.

Chuck Puchmayr, Independent:I believe heritage protection is an asset to the brand that is New Westminster. It promotes tourism and displays our city far and wide, especially through the movie industry.

Do you support the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area?”

Ken Armstrong, New West Progressives: Yes, we support the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area and we have no plans to change the Heritage Conservation Area. Further, the Heritage Conservation Area should not be changed without substantial, robust engagement with the neighbourhood, Heritage New West, and other affected communities and stakeholders in New West.

Patrick Johnstone, Community First New West: Yes. I supported it, and I continue to support it. The real success was in it being a community-led initiative supported by the City, not vice versa. It is the result of a long community conversation around the values of the community, and I think we developed a unique approach that protects what makes Queen’s Park special, while assuring it remains a dynamic and vibrant neighbourhood into the future.

Chuck Puchmayr, Independent: I strongly support the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area. It not only preserves rare historic homes, it has the ability to protect a large urban forest.

Would you endorse Heritage Conservation Areas (HCAs) in other areas of the City?

Ken Armstrong, New West Progressives: In terms of endorsing Heritage Conservation Areas in other areas of the City, we note the City is already undergoing a review of the Heritage Revitalization Agreement Policy. That review could include considering further Heritage Conservation Areas. The establishment of further Heritage Conservation Areas must not be done without substantial and robust engagement with: the relevant neighbourhood, Heritage New West, and other affected communities and stakeholders in New West.

Patrick Johnstone, Community First New West: If they [HCAs] are led by the community, I see potential in some of the Mid-Century areas of the city, and a potential for us to use Heritage Conservation to protect legacy tree stands and ecological areas of importance in the City; but [we] do believe that HCAs work best when the community leads the process and the City is acting to support that effort.

Chuck Puchmayr, Independent: Keeping homes out of the landfill has a positive impact on our overall carbon footprint. Preservation with sensitive infill accomplishes this and provides more desperately needed housing. 

Tags: 2022 Local Government Elections, Community, Heritage, New Westminster