Speak at a City Council meeting about an agenda item

Prepare to speak

Know what to expect by watching our video. It's full of tips and rules to help you prepare.

• Speak at Council - English subtitles
• 观看关于在市议会上发言的提示及守则视频
• 觀看關於在市議會上發言的提示及守則視頻
• ਆ ਵੀਡੀਉ ਦੇਖੋ ਵੈਨਕੂਵਰ ਸਿਟੀ ਕੌਂਸਲ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਨੁਕਤੇ ਅਤੇ ਨਿਯਮ

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  When it's your turn

  We assign you with a speaker number that shows your position to speak about an agenda item. Numbers are assigned in the order we received requests to speak.

  To keep track of agenda items and speaker numbers, follow our @VanCityClerk Twitter account  or watch the meeting live online.

  It's difficult to predict when it'll be your turn to speak – especially for meetings with a lot of speakers – because:

  • Agenda items don't have start times
  • Agendas can be changed during the meeting
  • Speakers can sign up until the start of the meeting
  • Council can ask speakers questions after they present, which can take anywhere from 0 to 55 minutes per speaker (5-minute question period × 11 elected officials = 55 minutes)
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  How long you can speak for and how to prepare

  After staff and consultants make their presentations, the chair of the meeting invites speakers in the order they registered.

  You will have 5 minutes to address Council – keep your comments concise.

  For public hearings only: You have 8 minutes if you speak on behalf of three or more people or groups. Each person or group representative needs to attend.

  State your name, organization (if applicable), position on the recommendation (for or against), and rationale.

  After you finish, any member of Council has up to five minutes to ask you questions.

  Council will hear all registered speakers. If many people signed up, you may have to attend more than one meeting before it's your turn.

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  Presentations and written material

  Email your presentation to us one day before the meeting.

  • For regular Council, special Council, and standing committee meetings, email the presentation to speaker.request@vancouver.ca.
  • For public hearings, email publichearing@vancouver.ca.

   Presentations received after the start of the meeting will not be accepted.

  To present from a USB drive or laptop, arrive 30 minutes before the meeting so we can help you set up. For laptops, bring an HDMI cable.

  Video and presentations are broadcast on:

  • The screen on the east wall of the Council Chamber behind the meeting chair
  • The computers that councillors use during meetings
  • The screen in the third floor foyer
  • The live webcast

  Audio is broadcast on:

  • The speakers in the Council Chamber and third floor foyer
  • The live webcast

  Written material

  Email any written material for Council to the City Clerk before the meeting starts.

  • For regular Council, special Council, and standing committee meetings, email the material to speaker.request@vancouver.ca.
  • For public hearings, email publichearing@vancouver.ca.
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  Free WiFi

  Use the internet for free at these spots in City Hall.

  • Ground Floor: Town Hall meeting rooms
  • 3rd Floor: Council Chamber and foyer