The last Council meeting before we take a bit of a summer break had a long agenda, but we got through it fairly quick. The following items were approved On Consent:
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Plan – Phase 4 Update
This is an update report on the implementation of our CCARP, following a recent Public Engagement around the draft plan, which was all reported out (as all of our public engagement is) on the Be Heard portal. There was also a solutions development process with the Community Advisory Assembly, as reported out back in May.
Obviously, the impacts of climate disruption are being felt around the world right now, including right here in Canada and BC, and our being more prepared for those impacts at home is an unfortunate reality, and an unfortunate cost after decades of warnings that these cheques were going to have to be paid if we are too cheap to change the way we burn carbon. Record oil company profits are obscene in the face of this destruction and while this work is being funded from our Climate Action Reserve Fund, with about 20% offset by a grant from FCM.
I like how staff took the recommendations and actions from above, and categorized by “Existing” (50 things we are already doing best we can), “Enhanced” (57 things we can do better with comes changes and a few more resources), and “New” (12 things we are not currently doing and is on no current work plan). This answers a lot of the public questions that start “why don you…”? The City is showing real leadership here.
Vision Zero Task Force Update and Next Steps
The Vision Zero Task force has been meeting for a year, and has met its initial goal of connecting departments in the City (Engineering, Police, Fire) and outside agencies (Fraser Health, Ministry of Transportation, ICBC) together to talk about how we are working together to make roads safer. Out of this first phase of work there were excellent learnings for both the City’s staff and the representatives from those different provincial agencies, and we have developed some better data-sharing models inside the City. This is already allowing the engineering department to be more responsive to locations where incidents are more prevalent and has led to discussions with both the Minister of Public Safety and the Attorney General (as the Minister responsible for ICBC) about this being a potential model to expand across BC.
(Interesting data point: 0.9% of collisions in New West in the 2020-2024 period involved a pedestrian, but 50% of road deaths were pedestrians. It’s obvious from this that works aimed clearly to reduce the <1% crashes that impact pedestrians will save more lives than equal efforts to reduce any other type of crash).
This report outlines some of the work done, but also sets a course of the next phase of this work which will be much more public-facing. As this Task Force includes a lot of inter-agency information and data sharing, some of which is subject to FIPPA and other regulations around data security, it was thought to be worth while to keep this Task force on its task for the second year if its term before inviting the advocacy community in to those discussions. However, the need to open up this work to the broader public was seen as important, and starting a conversation about the culture of road safety is timely. We have also determined that NWFRS is the best department to lead the data work, and Engineering continuing to provide broader program oversight and implementation. There are some “next steps” which will be considered for budget inclusion in the 2027 budget discussion.
Endorsement of the Tenant Assistance Policy
The City has developed, and is now updating, its tenant relocation policy. This is a policy that guides how we manage situations where development or building retirement means displacement of tenants, and how the property owner assures this does not result in homelessness, similar to the situation we are undergoing wright now with Royal Towers. Our history of preserving older purpose-built market rental housing while building more supply mean New West now has the third-largest stock of purpose-built market rental housing in Metro Vancouver (10,000+ units in 300+ buildings). Recent Provincial regulatory changes have given us more tools to protect tenants.
Zoning Bylaw Text Amendment: 805 Boyd Street – Electric Vehicle Charging Service Station for Three Readings
We have received our first application for an EV “Gas Station”, or an “electron station”? Whatever you call it , it’s our first service station selling only electrical potential via 24 Level 3 Fast-Chargers. This is not something in our Zoning Bylaw up to now, so our Zoning Bylaw requires an update., and we gave that update three readings.
Simcoe Park and Toronto Place Park Master Plan
Toronto Place Park (1910’s) and Simcoe Park (1970’s) are two adjacent and very different small Neighbourhood parks, and with so many changes in the neighbourhood, (not the least being the new elementary school next door) a Master Plan to envision their future is apropos.
There was a tone of public engagement on this, on-line and in pop-up events, along with surveys and targeted connection to organizations like the Community Garden Society and local sports clubs, and one specific set of options was widely preferred. 6,000 invites sent, 705 people engaged directly, 1,700 Be Heard connections made.
This is master planning, and though there is money in the current capital plan to begin this work, it will be a few years to see the full vision realized. One notable point is that the idea of shifting the field to all-weather surface (Artificial Turf) we preferred by a majority. Expanded community garden space and naturalization of Toronto Place Park is the preferred vision, which will no doubt be appreciated in the Brow neighbourhood.
The following items were Removed from Consent for discussion:
AI Policy Development Report
Almost every piece of software now integrates some AI, sometimes transparently, sometimes less so, so measuring and reporting on where it is used is almost impossible, except to say “everywhere”. Still, generative AI use does raise data security and privacy concerns, and reliance on it creates data quality concerns (and I haven’t even got into the environment concerns yet). Staff have developed some internal GenAI guidelines for staff to mitigate these risks as far as we can. Further, Privacy Impact Assessments are used to assure that any new use of AI tools does not run us afoul of FIPPA (Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act) rules.
As an example, the City uses Microsoft tools where CoPilot is built in, and you cannot use Google without Gemini being involved or Adobe tools without Firefly. However, the City does not permit City staff to use DeepSeek, Grok, or OpenClaw on City systems or using City data because there is no way to assure safety. Staff are not permitted to use AI notetaking for on-line meetings that contain any FIPPA protected data. This is a rapidly emerging area, and staff training is rushing to keep up with the changes, but this is another example of where a government isn’t like a business, but instead has higher requirements to protect the public interest, and must invest in assuring those interests are protected.
Community Advisory Assembly Updates and Summary of Discussions on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism
The Community Advisory Assembly wrapped their second term, and took on discussion of DEIAR (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism) as part of their last bit of work. This was a topic the CAA chose as one of their top 3 to discuss and make recommendation on this year, and the very broad topic of DIEAR was summarized under four themes for the City: Customer service and interactions, Accessibility and inclusion, Transparency and trust in City processes, and Internal coordination and systems challenges. This report includes a summary of their discussions, and some brainstormed action for the City to take under those themes.
Train Whistle Cessation Resolution at the Braid Street Rail Crossings
The process to get to whistle cessation in the City is long and sometimes frustrating one, but we are making some serious progress on the Sapperton side of the City. It takes several stages of coordination with the rail companies, engineering and installation of other safety controls, then discussion or negotiation with the rail companies (as many as 3 or 4 companies in any one location), and finally resolutions from Council and a bunch of public notice. The good news is that we have cleared most of the hurdles for the complex and challenging crossings at Braid Street. We have done the design work, spent about $1 Million in engineering upgrades (about 2/3 of which we got covered by a grant from a federal funding program), and are now resolving that this we a whistle free crossing.
That means in about a month or so, Railways will change their operational model of this crossing and not routinely blow whistles. There may still be whistles used if there are vehicles or pedestrians in the right of way, but this will hopefully be an uncommon occurrence. One down. Two to go!
Housing Agreement Amendment Bylaw to Permit a Guest Suite: 612 Seventh Avenue – Bylaw for Three Readings
The new mixed-use rental building in Uptown wants to operate a single studio apartment as a guest suite that can be rented by other tenants on the building for a short term. This was not included in the original proposal and does not align with the Housing Agreement used to secure the Purpose-Built Rental tenure and Affordable housing components of the building, so we are amending that agreement to do so.
New Westminster City-Wide Toilet Strategy
The City has been working on a Public Toilet Strategy for a while, recognizing the increased need in our community for public toilets, and the strangeness and stigma related to public toilets in the north American context ( this is a really good read). This was made even clearer to me a little while ago when I was travelling in New Zealand and was amazed by the abundance and (yes I’ll say it) elegance of the public toilets across that country.
This strategy brings 29 recommendations, and there is a phased 5-year implementation plan.
Short-Term (September 2026-December 2027): Quick actions responding to pressing needs, such as standardizing reporting and monitoring tools, small-scale accessibility retrofits, scaling-up City signage, improving wayfinding resources, and partnering with community organizations.
Medium-Term (January 2028-December 2029):
Broadening the availability of select existing facilities through increased seasonal availability or extended hours of operation; developing partnerships with public institutions and businesses; and collaboration or advocacy with senior levels of government.
Long-Term (January 2029-December 2031):
Addressing accessibility gaps, formalizing partnerships with public institutions and businesses, and long-term planning for more complex retrofits and accessibility improvements.
New Westminster School District’s 2026-2027 Eligible School Sites Proposal and Long Range Facilities Plan Update
There is a narrative out there (alas, spread by some who should know better, see the next item!) that the City and the School district don’t plan together, that there is a disconnect between the City’s identified housing needs and identified school needs. The reality is that school planning is based on our Official Community Plan projected growth, and the inability for two decades for the School District to deliver the number of school spaces needed is 100% a lack of provincial funding for purchasing new school sites and building the schools. This problem is longstanding and goes back several governments, but we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and new school investments are coming in fast.
The ESSP is an outline of how the SD plans to meet its school space need projecting 10 years in to the future, based on the population growth anticipated in our OCP. They send this to the City and we review for acceptance, to see if their numbers don’t jibe with ours, so we can plan together and the province can know if they fund a new school, the City isn’t going to get in the way of it being built.
Though this seems like a discussion between the School District and the City, it is really formed by the province determining what they are willing to invest in new land and buildings for schools, and the School Districts Long Range Facilities Plan that decides how that will be invested.
Another part of this report is the recommendation that we expend the types of new developments that generate School Site Acquisition charges – the $600 to $1000 the City charges to every new development unit to help the School District fund school sites.
Zoning Amendment Bylaw, Housing Agreement and Special Development Permit Application: 611 Agnes Street
This has been an ongoing development for a few years, and is finally in front of Council for three readings of a rezoning application, as the project fully aligns with our Official Community Plan. The owner of a commercial building on the eastern edge of the “tower district” downtown on Sixth and Agnes wants to build a 37-storey mixed use development, which includes commercial space, a non-profit childcare, 323 secured market rental homes, a public plaza space.
This first came to Council in 2018, and was revised in 2019, and it was reviewed in 2025 by this council, where some recommendations were made regarding the mix of uses. It includes 225 parking spaces (more than required). The commercial space would provide upward toward 155 jobs, though it would see a reduction in the current square footage of office space on the site. The housing meets our family-friendly housing policies, the project was supported by our Design Panel, and would generate $3.2 Million in DCC charges to fund transportation, utility, parks and amenities. When it comes to meeting out OCP and Housing Needs, this project would provide about 10% of the market rental units required to meet our five-year need, and of course it is also aligned with the School Sites Plan we just covered above (by the time this building is built, the new Simcoe Elementary will be operational and Ecole Qayqayt crowding will not be an issue).
The Public Engagement around this project demonstrated general support, though there was not a huge amount of feedback despite two separate post cards sent out to almost 1,000 residents, social media ads, direct communication to the Downtown BIA and Residents Association, and other attempts to get the word out.
There was a bit of fog thrown during Council about Amenity Cost Charges, a tool not available to the City when this application we processed, and allegations that the City simply decided to not ask for them is, generously, a complete misunderstanding of the development policies of the City and the legal framework of property development in BC.
Canada Post’s Transition to Community Mailboxes in New Westminster
Canada Post is going to stop doing door-to-door delivery in New Westminster, Coquitlam, PoCo and Port Moody in the new year. I have talked to the mayors in the adjacent cities. and we all share the same concerns: that this erosion of public service disproportionally impacts seniors and people with disabilities, and that any cost savings seen by Canada Post will be downloaded to Cities as these community mail boxes create maintenance and other challenges for which Canada Post is offering minimal support. The City of Hamilton fought this shift when they were able to demonstrate that there were direct costs to the City of millions of dollars.
I support a strong public postal system, in a broad nation like Canada, institutions like this bring us together and build community. The Federal government selling century-old institutions like this off for spare parts instead of investing in ways to make it serve communities better is shameful. We are going to push back.
We then had two Motions from Council:
Requesting an Independent Section 765 Review of Metro Vancouver Governance and the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Project
Submitted by Councillor Fontaine
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of New Westminster formally support the City of Surrey’s efforts to seek greater transparency, accountability, and independent oversight regarding Metro Vancouver governance and the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City of New Westminster formally request that the Inspector of Municipalities undertake an independent review or inquiry under Section 765 of the Local Government Act regarding governance, oversight, procurement, financial management, and decision-making processes associated with the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council request the review examine whether existing Metro Vancouver governance structures, reporting practices, and oversight mechanisms remain appropriate for the scale and complexity of major regional infrastructure projects;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council affirm that the purpose of such a review is to provide clarity, strengthen public trust, identify lessons learned, and improve accountability and governance practices for future regional infrastructure projects;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT copies of this motion be forwarded to the Inspector of Municipalities, Metro Vancouver, all Metro Vancouver member municipalities, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, the Minister of Environment and Parks, and the Union of BC Municipalities.
Regular followers of Council might think this sounds eerily similar to a motion supported by Council a few months ago but I guess that horse has not been thoroughly enough flogged. I have little to say about this except as a wise man once said, taking fish off hooks, It’s not as effortless as it may look.
Training to Support the Rights of Older Adults and Preventing Elder Abuse
Submitted by Councillor Campbell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City offer opportunities for staff training and professional development related to elder abuse prevention, age-friendly practices, and the promotion of the rights of older adults to ensure that municipal services are responsive, informed, and inclusive.
This motion arose from advocacy by the New Westminster Community Response Network and folks at Century House, and is pretty self-explanatory. Many of our staff, especially in Parks and Recreation, are front-line and are in a position to identify signs of elder abuse, but may not have the training to do so. If we provide this training, they may be better positioned to protect older adult residents, and make us a more inclusive and safer community.
Finally, we had two Bylaws for Adoption:
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7318, 2009, Amendment Bylaw No. 8557, 2026
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 8077, 2019, Amendment Bylaw No. 8558, 2026
These bylaw that empower staff to enforce the requirement for landlords to maintain safe temperatures in rental units was adopted by Council!
And we are off for a few weeks for summer!