Mayor Johnstone's Annual State of the City Address

Description

Please join Mayor Johnstone for his annual State of the City Address. This year’s address will once again offer a candid and honest perspective on New Westminster’s progress and challenges in light of the economic landscape and the realities facing local businesses today.

As businesses continue to navigate uncertain times, rising operating costs, workforce pressures, and broader economic and political uncertainty, the Mayor will speak directly to how these challenges are being felt locally. He will highlight the important role of municipal leadership in supporting small businesses, fostering investment, improving affordability and livability, and ensuring New Westminster remains a competitive and welcoming place to do business.

Mayor Johnstone will also outline his priorities on key city initiatives, the partnerships needed to move them forward, and how the City is working alongside the business community to respond to change.

A Question & Answer session with questions from the audience will follow the Mayor's Address, moderated by Hayley Woodin Hastings. 

Ticket cost: $65.00 New Westminster Chamber Member, $85.00 Non-Member Guests.

Tickets include non-alcoholic drinks, salad, and your choice of main course.

The 2026 Mayor’s Annual State of the City Address is once again hosted by the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of New Westminster, with presenting support from FortisBC and venue sponsorship from Starlight Casino.

ALL ATTENDEES MUST REGISTER BY MAY 4 at 12:00pm.

Please note that you must be 19+ to attend this event, and EVERYONE MUST PROVIDE I.D. FOR ENTRY. Government issued I.D. will be scanned before entry for all visitors.

If this event is not accessible to you for any reason, please contact events@newwestchamber.com to make accommodations.

The Mayor's Speech will be recorded and available online following the event.

Event Agenda:

11:30am Registration opens
11:50am Take Seats
12:00pm Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
12:15pm Lunch Served, Program Begins
12:30pm Mayor Johnstone's Address Begins 
1:00pm Q&A moderated by Hayley Woodin Hastings
1:45pm Door Prizes - in partnership with Tourism New Westminster
2:00pm Event Ends

About Mayor Johnstone:

First elected in 2014, Patrick Johnstone served two terms on New Westminster City Council before being elected as Mayor in 2022. Born and raised in the Kootenays, he has resided in New Westminster with his partner Antigone since 2006.

Patrick is a Professional Geoscientist, having studied Geography and Earth Sciences at SFU, and worked in a variety of geology jobs, primarily in the field of Environmental Geoscience. He served as the President of the Environmental Managers Association of BC and on the board of the Contaminated Sites Approved Professionals Society.
His interest in local government arose from his advocacy on environmental and active transportation issues, his many volunteer connections in New Westminster, and his interest in leading community conversations about urbanism and the opportunities present in an exciting, dense, historic and growing community like New West.

Since first being elected, Patrick has served on the Lower Mainland LGA (First Vice President), the Community Energy Association (Board Chair), the New Westminster Electrical Commission, and various task forces and advisory committees in the City.

Please contact events@newwestchamber.com for any questions.