Maple Ridge, B.C., Dec. 4, 2024 – Maple Ridge City Council is restructuring its advisory committees to better align with Council’s strategic priorities, streamline operations, and enhance overall functionality.
The changes, which follow a comprehensive review, aim to create a more effective governance structure and support Council’s long-term vision.
Effective in January following final Council approval on Dec. 10, the proposed changes consolidate eight existing committees into four new advisory bodies, each focused on specific strategic priorities:
- Climate and Environment Advisory Committee – Revises the Environmental Advisory Committee with a stronger focus on environmental stewardship and climate action.
- Diversified, Thriving Economy Advisory Committee – Combines the Agricultural Advisory and Economic Development Committee to promote a sustainable and diversified economy.
- Engaged, Healthy Community Advisory Committee – Combines the Public Art Steering, Social Policy Advisory, and Parks, Recreation, and Culture Committees to support a thriving and inclusive community.
- Liveable Community Advisory Committee – Integrates the Community Heritage Commission and Transportation Committee , with an expanded focus on housing diversity and community livability.
“Committees play a vital role in supporting Council, offering invaluable expertise and insight on complex issues,” said Mayor Ruimy. “These changes will enhance the effectiveness of our committees, allowing them to support Council more strategically, foster stronger community engagement, and accelerate progress toward our key priorities.”
The new structure will:
- Align committees with the City’s strategic priorities to ensure each Committee is focused on critical areas that support the Council's objectives.
- Improve committee efficiency with larger memberships to promote diverse perspectives.
- Enhance the capacity for decision-making and help mitigate meeting cancellations with reduced quorum requirements.
- Ensure greater continuity with the integration of existing members into the restructured committees.
The following committees will remain unchanged due to their specialized roles:
- Advisory Design Panel (ADP) - Appointed by Council and operating under the standards regulated by the Architectural Institute of BC, the ADP will continue to provide independent advice on the design merits of rezoning applications and development permits.
- Board of Variance – Required by all local governments with a zoning bylaw, the Board of Variance is established by bylaw and will continue in its current form.
- Municipal Advisory Committee on Accessibility and Inclusiveness (MACAI) – In compliance with legislative requirements, MACAI will remain focused on ensuring accessibility.
- The Youth Planning Table and its subcommittee, UPlan will continue with its current structure as a goal-oriented, project-based working group focused on accomplishing the goals and recommendations of the Maple Ridge Youth Strategy - reporting into the new Engaged, Healthy Community Advisory Committee.
Membership Terms and Recruitment Process
Committee members will now serve three-year terms, aligning with the election cycle and Council priorities, with streamlined recruitment processes to enhance efficiency. Current members whose terms extend beyond Dec. 31, 2024, will be invited to continue in the new committees to maintain continuity during the transition.
The Review Process
The review process considered factors to ensure committees align with Council priorities and operate efficiently, such as alignment with strategic priorities, membership structure, equity, inclusion, and public engagement. This ensured that the new committee format would better serve the community’s needs and reflect the City’s evolving priorities.
Eight committee structures were reviewed, including the Agricultural Advisory Committee, Economic Development Committee, Environmental Advisory Committee, Public Art Steering Committee, Social Policy Advisory Committee, Transportation Advisory Committee, Community Heritage Commission, and Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee.
For more information on the proposed changes, please visit MapleRidge.ca/Committees.
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For additional information, contact
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications & Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 E ppurewal@mapleridge.ca