COQUITLAM, B.C., October 17, 2023 – Community participation in processes such as public hearings is a key part of the municipal democratic process. To that end, Coquitlam has adopted a new Public Notice Bylaw to better support the accessibility of its statutory notices through a variety of digital channels and on public bulletin boards.
Statutory notices are formal updates from local government on matters such as public hearings, tax sale and permissive tax exemptions, land disposition and highway closures, Council’s annual meeting schedule, and various election-related notices. These notices help ensure that the community is aware of and has the opportunity for input into City decisions that may affect them.
Responding to Resident Preferences
In the 2023 Community Satisfaction Survey, the majority of respondents told us they prefer to receive information through digital channels and by email. By moving to include more digital options for public notification, the City is keeping up with technology and community preferences.
With fewer print publications circulating in Coquitlam, the City has now expanded the options for residents and other interested parties to access information related to their community. As has been its practice for many years, Coquitlam will continue to send direct mail outs to residents within 100m of specific properties being considered at a Public Hearing, as well as post the information to the City website (coquitlam.ca). New options include email notification of upcoming public hearings and other statutory notices, which will also be listed on the City’s free CoquitlamConnect app and. Through these many channels, the City is focused on reliable, suitable and accessible methods to ensure our community has the information they need to be aware of upcoming changes and how to voice their opinions.
Why Public Hearings Matter
Public hearings allow residents to have their voices heard on planning and land use bylaws. Members of the community and other interested parties are provided the opportunity to share their views at a public hearing, which helps balance the decisions that elected members of government make. To find out more about the Public Hearing process, what happens during a Public Hearing and how you can participate, visit coquitlam.ca/PublicHearing.
How to Stay Informed
Coquitlam residents can ensure that they’re aware of upcoming public hearings and other notices that may affect them and their neighbourhoods through several channels, including by signing up for email notices through the Council Notify Me list, or viewing statutory notices as published online at coquitlam.ca/PublicNotices. These important civic announcements are also promoted on the City of Coquitlam’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter channels, or community members can download the CoquitlamConnect mobile app to stay up to date with City news.
Digital options are in addition to the existing legislative requirements to post notices on the City’s official public notice boards, located on the main floor of City Hall by its central elevator, and on the second floor of City Hall outside the Mayor’s Office. A third exterior-facing board will be installed at the Buchanan Square entrance to City Hall to increase the accessibility of these public notices.
Inclusive and Accessible Public Information
Moving to digital distribution for statutory notices aligns with the Coquitlam’s commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, as the City website features an embedded translation tool and compatibility with screen reading devices, helping to increase the reach of messaging. Further, the City’s investment in free Wi-Fi infrastructure in civic facilities and parks, and the availability of free access to computers in libraries and for members of the City’s 50+ pavilions, creates a more accessible option to individuals who may have limited internet and/or computer access.
Media contact:
Katie Karn
clerks@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3010
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.