On November 18, the New Westminster City Council debated significant changes to policies governing when delegates can present to council and how many proposals, including those from local constituents, can be reviewed annually.

Deni Loubert – Local Journalism Initiative

In a bid to address the increasing complexity of city governance in a fast-growing New Westminster, city staff presented a proposal to refine the rules around council delegations and proposals. The recommendations included limiting the number of proposals council could review each year and setting stricter scheduling guidelines for delegate presentations. The move aims to prevent marathon 16-hour council days while maintaining meaningful public engagement.

The city’s rapid population growth and development projects have intensified the demands on council, prompting this review. “We’re looking at ways to streamline the process so that council can focus on actionable outcomes without burning out,” said one staff member during the presentation. “The goal is to make council work sustainable while ensuring we hear from residents effectively.”

The proposal was met with cautious optimism by some councillors. Councillor Fontaine highlighted the importance of modernizing governance practices to attract diverse candidates to local politics. "We want to make sure long council hours don’t deter parents, people with disabilities, or those with full-time jobs from considering public office,” Fontaine said.  

Councillor MacAvoy echoed this sentiment, emphasizing accessibility in governance. “It’s about creating an environment where anyone can step forward to serve their community without fear of the job being unsustainable,” MacAvoy stated.  

While the policy changes are still in the discussion phase, they represent a step toward balancing the city’s growing needs with the well-being of its leadership and the public’s ability to engage. The final decision on these proposed changes is expected in the coming months.