Appear Before Council
A delegation is your chance to speak directly to Council. Here's exactly how to do it.
Submit request
Send your subject, contact details, and preferred meeting date.
Meet the deadline
Requests are due by 4 pm on the Tuesday before the meeting.
Present to Council
Delegations have up to 15 minutes unless Council extends time.
How to request a delegation
Submit a written request to the Director of Corporate Services using the online form on silvermere.example. The request must clearly outline the subject matter or proposal you intend to present. Include your name, contact information, and the specific Council meeting date you'd like to attend.
The Tuesday 4 pm deadline
Submissions must be received by 4:00 pm on the Tuesday immediately preceding the meeting at which you wish to present. Council allows a maximum of two delegations per meeting, scheduled first come, first served, so submitting early is smart.
Petitions submitted as part of a delegation must include names and residential addresses to be considered.
Heads up
Miss the deadline = wait two weeks
The presentation
Delegations are heard as one of the first items of meeting business, so you don’t have to sit through the full agenda. Arrive a few minutes before the meeting start time so the Mayor can call you forward when your slot comes up.
You have a maximum of 15 minutes to present. The time limit may only be extended by unanimous vote of the Council members present. Bring a clear, focused presentation: state what you’re asking for, why, and what you’d like Council to do.
Tip
What makes a good delegation
Good to know
If it’s your first time
What happens after
Council will receive the information presented and may refer the issue to staff for a report or for consideration at a future meeting. Council does not typically debate or decide on a delegation's matter the same evening, the meeting is for receiving input, not instant decisions.
Public record
All submissions become part of the public record. The meeting agenda is published on the City website and includes any materials you submit. Council Chambers have audio and video recording devices, and the proceedings are recorded, broadcasted, and posted publicly.
Other ways to be heard
If a 15-minute formal delegation isn't the right fit, you have other options:
- Send a letter or email to Council that becomes part of the meeting correspondence package.
- Attend a Public Hearing for a specific bylaw or development application; you can speak without pre-registering.
- Submit budget feedback during the annual Budget Open House window to budget@silvermere.example.
- Email Council directly on a single topic (Mayor and Councillors all have public email addresses).
Common questions
When's the next deadline?
How long do I have to speak?
Will Council vote on my matter that night?
Will my name and what I say be public?
Can I send written input instead of presenting?
What if I want to comment on a specific bylaw?
What to do next
Still need help?
Talk to Legislative Services
- Phone
- 250-555-0100
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
- In person
- City Hall, 100 Lakeshore Avenue, Silvermere, BC
Faster than calling for non-urgent issues. We respond within one business day.
