About the Engagement

Across 12 engagement opportunities, approximately 1,300 community members provided their input.

Two surveys were conducted: A city-wide online survey was open from July 7 through August 3, 2020 and received 1,164 responses. A youth survey was open from September 25 through October 5, 2020 and received 45 responses.

Direct outreach to seldom-heard groups resulted in 36 participants in interviews, paper surveys and a focus group discussion. Direct outreach was conducted with a variety of local non-profit organizations, and a range of activities took place – some led by the City, others led by non-profit staff – based on the approaches recommended by non-profit leaders. Participants included isolated seniors, people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, people of colour, tenants, and New Westminster community members with direct lived or living experience of poverty, homelessness, mental health and/or substance use.

Six small-group dialogue sessions were held between September 10 and 26, 2020 and included 49 participants. Three sessions were held by videoconference (Zoom), two were held outdoors with physical distancing, and one session was held by teleconference. These sessions were promoted widely and were open to all community members to register to attend.

Further detail on the engagement process, and how the engagement opportunities were communicated to the community, can be found in the COVID-19 Recovery Public Engagement Summary Report (see Reports menu on the right side of this page.