2022 Candidates

Karima Budhwani is committed to building an economically vibrant, resident-focused, compassionate, greener, sustainable New Westminster.

Karima’s life-long passion for education resulted in Masters in Environmental Studies and law degrees. This led to a 20+ years legal career in the justice sector, promoting access to justice in BC in partnership with non-profit organizations, institutions, and government. Karima brings expertise in community needs assessments, project planning and implementation, and program reviews at both the local and provincial levels.

A member of the Ismaili Muslim community, Karima has volunteered in various roles within the community, and is a long-time Scouter with the Ismaili Scouts Group. She is passionate about supporting/developing the next generation of leaders.

Karima is proud to call New Westminster home and is a long-time resident of Queen’s Park with her husband and two children. Karima is running for council as a member of the New West Progressives.

I have lived in New Westminster with my family for 33 years. I have volunteered, and I continue to volunteer in many ways to support this community's initiatives and committees.

As an urban planner, an immigrant woman of colour and a senior, I bring credentials, work, and life experience to Council. I have served one term on City Council and chaired several committees including Land Use Planning, Seniors Advisory, and Multicultural Advisory.

There has been so much good work done this term, and yet there is more to do. I would like to continue to listen to the community and to build a livable, safe, and vibrant community, looking at all aspects of living, working, recreation in the urban matrix. I love this city and intend to continue my support to this community

I am running for councillor to bring fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency to city council.

I was born and raised in New Westminster, as was my wife, Joanne, our five children and seven grandchildren. My family history in the city spans five generations.

I am a Chartered Professional Accountant, with a long career in health care.  I have extensive experience in regional and senior government matters, in the positions of Administrator/Controller of Kopernik Lodge Extended Care, Director of Finance at Saint Michael’s Extended Care and Assistant Director of Finance for Fraser-Burrard Hospital Society, interacting with both Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and BC Housing.

I currently serve on St. Michael’s Parish Finance Committee and have been Board Chair of the Catholic Health Association of BC and St. Mary’s Hospital, also a board member of the Denominational Health Association and served on the advisory committee at St. Thomas More Collegiate. 

Tasha is committed to ensuring that the City’s services and amenities meet the needs of all families, working to help with housing affordability and childcare, and responding to the climate crisis in the way our kids need us to. As a city planner, she is passionate about transformative policy and understands how cities work. Tasha has spent her career working with communities across Canada, working on complex projects with both governmental and community-based organizations. She tackles issues like poverty, housing, and equity through policy analysis and planning. She also spent over a decade working in direct-service with people with urgent needs and her approach to everything she does will always be fiercely people- and community-centered. Tasha is proud to be raising her young family in New Westminster, and hopes to help hold the door open for anyone who wants to be able to stay in our community.

Paul Minhas is a small business owner, an employer, and a downtown New Westminster resident. He is running for Council as a member of the New West Progressives.

In 2005, Paul opened the much-loved Heritage Grill and operated it until a tragic fire destroyed it in 2021. He continues to operate Begbie’s Pub which opened in 2016.

Paul believes a thriving local economy and healthy small businesses contribute to a safer, more vibrant, and fun-filled New Westminster. Hence crime and safety, revitalizing our business districts, and promoting New West as a destination are his priorities.

Nadine Nakagawa is a community-builder and award-winning activist who has served one term on council. Because she believes the city is for everybody, she advocates for affordable housing, champions inclusive public engagement, and believes in creating equitable public spaces throughout the city. Nadine is known in the community for her creativity, collaboration, and powerful advocacy. She is most proud of her role in having the city declare a climate crisis in 2019 and initiating the Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT) pilot project which is a mental health and crisis response that launches in the fall of 2022. Nadine is a renter in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood with her cats Bill and Moo. She is a creative writer, curls at the Royal City Curling Club, and has a Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She is also the co-founder of The Feminist Campaign School, supporting underrepresented people running for office.

Marc Andres (he/him/his) is running for School Trustee with Community First New Westminster because he cares deeply about all students achieving their highest potential. As a high school teacher, Marc knows the positive impact safe and inclusive learning spaces have on students, their families, and communities. He is committed to strengthening and implementing policies and curriculum that ensure our students have enriching and welcoming spaces to learn, develop, and grow.

A Red Seal carpenter, Marc wants to address the critical shortage in skilled trades by prioritizing and expanding training, apprenticeship, and experiential opportunities across city schools.

Marc believes that building new, green schools that serve as centres of academic excellence and vibrant community hubs – inclusive of childcare spaces and afterschool programs – is an important part of our city’s future success. A future he is excited to be a part of, especially as the father of a two-year-old daughter.