New Westminster's Citizen Power: First Recommendations from the Community Advisory Assembly

New Westminster City Council recently received an invaluable gift from its newly formed Community Advisory Assembly—an assembly comprising 35 dedicated volunteer residents. This assembly works diligently to voice the concerns and ideas of the community, endeavouring to make a positive impact on the city's development and governance.

The assembly's primary objective is to submit recommendations to the City Council and staff that reflect the collective needs and desires of the residents. These recommendations cover a broad spectrum of topics, such as infrastructure improvements, social programs, environmental initiatives, and economic development strategies, among others.

The presentation included both an explanation of the process to achieve these recommendations and some background on the decision-makers. These recommendations will serve as essential guidelines for the City Council's future decision-making processes, shaping New Westminster's growth and development. 

Councillor Tasha Henderson commented, “I am confident that the city has never had an engagement process of any kind that's had renters at 50 percent of the participants.” She pointed out that the group included “youth and racialized people – it's just really good work. Something to be proud of.”

The council encourages ongoing engagement and welcomes continued participation from residents to shape the city's future. The Community Advisory Assembly is one of the prominent channels through which community members can actively contribute to the decision-making process. This collaborative and participatory approach ensures that New Westminster thrives as a city that truly represents the diverse voices and interests of its residents.