Sign up to speak at a Council meeting or hearing

Deadlines, how to sign up, and speaker conditions

Note If you’re having issues signing up to speak, email speaker.request@vancouver.ca for support. 

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  Council and standing committee meetings

  Ways to sign up to speak

  Note Not all agenda items allow speakers. Check the agenda to find out which items you can sign up to speak about.   

  Online

  There are 2 ways to sign up online:

  • On this page: Upcoming Council meetings are added on this page about 1 week before the meeting date. When they’re available, select “Sign up to speak” for each meeting and follow the prompts. 
  • On the upcoming meetings schedule:
    1. Find the meeting you’re interested in
    2. Select agenda
    3. On the agenda, select “Sign up to speak”
    4. Follow the instructions

  By phone

  Note Signing up online is the most efficient way to sign up for a meeting.

  Unable to sign up online? Phone:

  • 604-829-4323 for Council and special council meetings
  • 604-829-4272 for special Council meetings (only if a speaker-eligible item appears) 

  Speaker deadlines and meeting policies

  • You can sign up to speak approximately 1 week before a meeting is scheduled. 
  • You cannot sign up to speak after 5pm on the day before the meeting. 
  • If you have signed up to speak at a meeting and the item is referred to a meeting on a different day, your request to speak will automatically be transferred, and you don't need to sign up to speak again.  
  • No new speakers will be accepted if the item is referred or if the meeting is recessed to a different day. The sign-up deadline remains 5pm on the day before the original meeting date. 
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  Public hearings

  Ways to sign up to speak

  Missed the sign-up deadline? You may speak after all registered speakers have spoken. The chair will call for speakers up to 3 times. If no one comes forward, the list closes and no further speakers are allowed.

  Online

  Note Sign up by 5pm on the day of the hearing. 

  There are 2 ways to sign up online:

  • On this page: Upcoming Council meetings are added on this page about 1 week before the meeting date. When they’re available, select “Sign up to speak” for each meeting and follow the prompts. 
  • On the upcoming meetings schedule:
    1. Find the meeting you’re interested in
    2. Select agenda
    3. On the agenda, select “Sign up to speak”
    4. Follow the instructions

  By phone

  Note Signing up online is the most efficient way to sign up for a meeting.

  Unable to sign up online? Phone 604-829-4238 before 6pm on the day of the hearing.

  Sign up in person

  Register between 5:30pm and 6pm on the day of the hearing:

  • With Security staff in the City Hall lobby (ground floor), OR
  • The Council Chamber foyer (third floor)

  Speaker deadlines and meeting policies

  • If the public hearing is reconvened on another date: The sign-up deadline remains 5pm on the day before the original public hearing date. No new speakers are accepted after that deadline. 
  • Any visual presentation materials (for example PowerPoint slides) must be submitted by email to speaker.request@vancouver.ca by 5pm the day before the hearing. 
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  Other hearings and committees 

  Business licence hearings and courts of revision 

  There are no speakers. There are only witnesses when arranged by Legal Services or the appellant. 

  Auditor General Committee, Mayor’s Budget Task Force Implementation Oversight Committee, Nomination Subcommittee 

  Speakers may talk about staff reports containing recommendations.

  Note To speak, sign up the same way you would for Council or Standing Committee meetings.

  What to expect after signing up to speak 

  You will receive a confirmation email with your: 

  • Speaker number 
  • Detailed instructions on how to participate (by telephone or in person) 

  Note Speaking by phone lets you participate from anywhere, making it the most convenient option for many.