Community Advisory Assembly
The Community Advisory Assembly is a pilot project, and the pilot term ran from January 2024 – January 2025. The Assembly was a diverse group of New Westminster community members appointed to talk about City policies and projects that impact residents, and provide advice and recommendations back to staff and Council.
The City tried this new model for committee-style public engagement to:
- include a larger group of residents than our traditional committees (approximately 36 members),
- meet more regularly than most other committees,
- focus on dialogue and deliberation,
- include a membership that mirrored the overall demographic profile of the city, and
- offer a variety of supports to participants to help address barriers to participation.
The Assembly’s role was to advise City Council and staff across City departments on plans and actions related to Council’s Strategic Priorities, and other current City projects, plans and policies. Professional facilitators from the SFU Centre for Dialogue were contracted by the City to design and lead the Assembly meetings.
Visit the resources below to learn more about the pilot year of the Community Advisory Assembly:
- Community Advisory Assembly Yearbook (March 2025)
- Agendas and minutes for the monthly meetings
- Terms of Reference
The Assembly is only one of the ways the City seeks community input and feedback on its projects, policies and programs. You will find details about all our engagements by visiting our website Be Heard New West: beheardnewwest.ca.