Learn how to attend and participate in an upcoming Public Hearing.
At Public Hearings you can provide comments to Council about proposed bylaws.
How to participate in a Public Hearing
1. Attend the Public Hearing
Council meetings are held in person. Registration is not required to attend. You may also watch a livestream of the meeting.
2. Submit written comments
Submit your comments online through the Regular Council - Public Hearing Submission form. Do not use this form if you have supporting documents—instead, send your comments along with attachments to clerks@surrey.ca.
You can also submit your comments by mail to Mayor and Council, 13450 - 104 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3T 1V8.
- The deadline to receive submissions is 12pm on the date of the Public Hearing.
- Your comments are public record and viewable on our website.
3. Register to speak to a Public Hearing item
Complete this form to register to speak in person at a Public Hearing.
- The form will only be available from 8:30am to 4:00pm on the date of the Public Hearing.
- If you miss this registration period, you may attend City Hall and register in person from 6:30 to 6:45pm on the date of the Public Hearing.
During the meeting
- You will have three minutes to speak.
- Your comments must be relevant to the bylaw under consideration at the hearing.
- Once all registered speakers have made their comments, the Mayor will provide an opportunity for other attendees to provide their comments to Council.
4. Register your support or opposition to a Public Hearing item
If you do not wish to speak to a Public Hearing item, you can still register your support or opposition in person at City Hall. Staff will be outside of Council Chambers between 6:30 and 6:45pm on the date of the Public Hearing to register you.
Keep Comments Relevant
Your comments must be relevant to the bylaw being considered at the Public Hearing.
A Public Hearing is not intended nor appropriate to be a platform on matters that are not relevant to the bylaw being considered. Speaking to other matters is a disruption to the orderly conduct of the Public Hearing.
If you fail to keep your comments relevant to the bylaw being considered at the Public Hearing, you will lose your opportunity to speak at the Public Hearing. The Chair of the meeting is responsible for keeping order and has a right to take necessary steps to do so, including ordering your expulsion should your disruptive behaviour continue.
Supporting Laws
Local governments have the right to preserve order at their meetings. This includes restricting comments that are not properly the subject of the public hearing.