Communicating With Council

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Contacts

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Phone: 250-561-7600

Administrative Services / Legislative Services
Prince George, British Columbia
V2L 3V9

We value citizens' views and encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas with Council in a respectful and open manner. You can communicate your opinions and concerns through informal and formal channels.

Informal Channels

Communications shared through informal channels are not a matter of public record, and are not referred to during Council's decision-making process. Informal channels of communication include:

Correspondence to individual council members

Contact individual councillors by e-mail, phone, or by mail: 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9.

Formal Channels

Communications shared through formal channels are a matter of public record, and are documented and referred to in Council's decision-making process. This information is available through general inquiries and may be reported by the media. Formal channels of communication include:

City council meetings

You may communicate with Council by arranging to make a delegation presentation at a City Council meeting or by speaking on any application that is the subject of a public hearing.

Council agenda correspondence

Correspondence for inclusion on Council meeting agendas is an alternative to speaking at a Council meeting.

These are public documents. They are reviewed by Council at each meeting and published on the City's website.

Email us your submission or mail it to: 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC V2L 3V9

Your submission must:

Address Mayor and Council
Clearly indicate that it is to be included on the Council meeting agenda
Only include information you wish to be on public record
Be received by 12:00pm on the Monday immediately preceding the meeting day
Be legible and signed, if handwritten
Include a telephone number, which will be used to contact the writer for confirmation, in lieu of a signature, if emailed

Public hearings

The City will hold an information or formal public hearing on various matters such as:

Development Variance Permit applications
Liquor License Applications
Rezoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment applications

The purpose of the Public Hearing is to give all interested persons the opportunity to voice their perspectives, support, opposition, and/or concerns to Council on any application that is the subject of the public hearing. Hearings are conducted as per the adopted Council Policy: Public Hearings, Procedures, and Guidelines.

Public Notification

In accordance with local government legislation and City Bylaws, residents may be notified, by mail or notice delivery, of a Public Hearing date and time for a project in their area. A Notice of Public Hearing is also advertised in two consecutive issues of the local newspaper, on the City’s website, and posted on the bulletin board at City Hall. If you feel you are affected by any proposed development or bylaw changes, you have the opportunity to voice your concerns at its public hearing.

submissions to council

You are invited to provide comments on a bylaw or application that is the subject of a public hearing. Any correspondence/petitions received before the public hearing is closed will be provided to Council. All submissions received prior to the close of the hearing will form part of the permanent record of the public hearing.

Comments/correspondence should be directed to Corporate Officer in the Legislative Services Division. You can comment by:

Attending the public hearing and providing verbal comments to City Council.
Submitting written comments prior to the close of the public hearing.

Written correspondence will form part of the public record and will be available as part of the agenda following the Council meeting.

The address of the speaker is permitted to be collected through Section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Questions or concerns related to the collection of this information can be directed to Legislative Services.

at the public hearing

Council’s role at a public hearing is to listen to the public. Council will not debate or challenge the comments but may ask questions of an individual speaker or Administration for clarification.

The Public Hearing is an opportunity for your views to be heard. No person should feel discouraged, intimated or be prevented from presenting their view. Decorum must be maintained at all times. Inappropriate language, outbursts, criticisms, or generalizations aimed at an individual or group will not be tolerated.

Any written materials and submissions considered by Council at the hearing will be available for review by the public during the hearing, and anyone wishing to comment on the content of those materials or submissions may do so.

You may voice your concerns, support, or opposition when the Chair calls for representations from Members of the Gallery. The Chair will determine the order of speakers.

Members of the public will be asked to provide their name and address for the record of the public hearing. If an individual is speaking on behalf of another person or organization, they will be asked to identify the name of that person or organization and confirm that they have appropriate authorization to speak on their behalf.

Speakers’ List

The Chair may implement a Speakers’ List where you may register your name in advance of the hearing.
If a Speakers’ List is implemented, speakers will be called in the order that their name appears on the list.
The list will be made available when Council Chambers opens to the public before the start of the regular Council meeting.
Pre-registration is not permitted.
A person wishing to speak for a second time must re-register their name at the end of the list, and will be called in the order that their name appears on the list.

Where a Speaker’s List is not used and/or the names on the list have all had opportunity to speak, the Chair will call three times, as a final invitation for the public to speak during the hearing.

Time Limit

An initial submission for all speakers is limited to 15 minutes.

After all speakers have been heard for the first time, a speaker may speak for a second time with new information.

A second and further submission for all speakers is limited to ten 10 minutes.

Electronic Media

If a speaker wishes to use a PowerPoint or other electronic media during their presentation, they must submit it to City staff in advance of the hearing. Electronic presentations without prior notice and submission will not be accommodated, however, a printed copy may be provided to Council for review and consideration.

after the public hearing

After the public hearing is closed, the bylaws are debated and voted upon by Council or consideration is given to approval of the subject permit application. After the public hearing is closed, Council may not receive further submissions from the applicant or the public regarding the application and/or bylaw(s) that were the subject of the hearing.

Delegation Presentations

Individuals and community groups can make a presentation at City Council meetings to share community announcements, status reports, initiatives, programs, or services. Up to two presentations may be heard at each meeting. Complete a delegation request at least two weeks before the proposed presentation date.

You will be notified by Legislative Services to confirm a date for your presentation.

presentation guidelines

There is a 10 minute maximum time limit
Supporting documents or materials (i.e.: PowerPoint) must be received before 12:00pm on the Monday immediately preceding the meeting day (or as otherwise directed by Legislative Services staff)
Direct your communications to the Chair (typically, "Your Worship")
All communications should be limited to the stated business

Special Requests

From time to time, members of the public contact the City to request formal acknowledgement for a local initiative, cause, occasion, person, or activity of significance. Read about Special Requests for further information about proclamations, flag-raising ceremonies and inviting the Mayor to an event.