Economic Development Plan

Project Update

Phase one Findings

On May 4, 2026 the results of Phase One of the Economic Development Update project were presented to Council. In this Phase, we examined New Westminster's local economy by looking at population trends, regional growth, and industry and market conditions.

Read the final Phase One report here and the May 4, 2026 Council report here.

Small Business Focus Group & Interest Holder Workshops

Thank you to those who participated in our Small Business Focus Group and Interest Holder Workshops in April!

We are currently reviewing feedback and will be reporting back on what we heard through these events and all of our other engagement activities, in Summer 2026. This report will be posted to our our Be Heard New West page and this webpage so check back for updates.  

Online Surveys & Community Pop-ups

Thank you to all those who participated in our February 2026 online surveys and community pop-ups! We are currently reviewing feedback and will be reporting back on what we heard in late Spring 2026. Check out our Be Heard New West page for updates.

Economic Development Plan Update

The Economic Development Plan sets New Westminster’s economic vision, goals, strategies and actions, with the ultimate intention of fostering a supportive local environment for business and investment.

The City is working to update the current Economic Development Plan, which concluded in 2023. The update will provide an opportunity to assess the current local economic environment, re-evaluate priority areas of focus, and collaborate with those who live, work, and do business in New Westminster. The Plan will provide an overarching framework for the City’s economic development activities, as well as focus and direction to the Economic Development Office over the next five years.

The updated plan is anticipated to focus on the following areas:

• Identification of New Westminster’s local economic opportunities and challenges
• Retention and expansion of existing businesses
• Attraction of new businesses, sectors, and investment
• Increasing overall livability and affordability
• Connecting people, businesses, organizations and investors
• Showcasing New Westminster’s competitive advantages

What is local economic development?

“Local economic development” is all of the ways that the City government and community members work to develop good jobs, help businesses thrive, support non-profit organizations and institutions (like hospitals and schools), and attract new community investment in New Westminster. At its core, this work aims to raise the standard of living for residents, and make New Westminster’s economy sustainable by building the resilience needed to handle the ups and downs of bigger provincial, national, and global economies.

What is the Economic Development Office?

The City’s Economic Development Office focuses on attracting, retaining, and supporting local businesses and investment, fostering economic growth, and identifying opportunities for collaboration with internal and external partners. Find out more about what we do here.

Community Engagement

Development of the updated Plan will be underpinned by engagement with local residents, the business community, and key interest holders. Engagement activities will include:

• Online surveys - complete
  • Community Survey - those who live, work, and go to school in New Westminster (but not business owners)
  • Business & Community Organization Survey - owners and managers of businesses and community organizations
• Community Pop-ups - meet the project team in person to learn more about the Economic Development Plan and share ideas - complete
  • Saturday, February 7, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Anvil Centre (Love New West)
  • Thursday, February 12, 4:00 – 7:00 pm at təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre 
  • Wednesday, February 18, 2:30 – 4:30 pm at Queensborough Community Centre 
  • Saturday, February 28, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm at Royal City Centre 
• Douglas College career fair pop-up - complete
• Interest holder workshops with members of the business community (please note that workshops were invitation only) - complete
  • April 14: Local Business Vibrancy and Support
  • April 15: Tourism, Arts, Culture and Entertainment
  • April 17: Industrial Lands
• Small Business Focus Group - complete
  • Tuesday, April 14, 6:00 – 8:00 pm at City Hall
    Limited to 25 participants who represent a cross-section of our small business community.    
• Workshop with the Arts, Culture, and Economic Development Advisory Committee - complete
• Presentation to WINS Local Immigration Partnership - complete
• Health and education sector interviews - complete
• Knowledge sharing with urban Indigenous community members (June 2026)
• Presentation to the Urban Development Institute (June 2026)
• Expert interviews (ongoing through June 2026)

Timeline

Phase One – Background Research, Data Gathering and Analysis (Complete)

• Background research on economic trends, such as the changing ways that we work and shop
• Gathering and analysis of local economy data
• Research on the approximate amount of new space New Westminster will need to accommodate jobs for our growing population 

Read the final Phase One report here.

Phase Two – Community Engagement (Winter and Spring 2026)

• Engagement with residents, workers, businesses, community organizations, institutions, and other interest holders
• Analysis of feedback
• Reporting back on what we heard

Phase Three – Economic Development Plan Finalization (Summer 2026 to Winter 2027)

• Analysis of community feedback and reporting back on what we heard
• Workshop with City Council
• Development of draft vision, goals, and strategies (draft Economic Development Plan)
• Community engagement  on the draft Economic Development Plan
• Presentation to Council of the draft Economic Development Plan and feedback
• Final refinements to draft Economic Development Plan
• Development of final Implementation Plan
• Council presentation of final Economic Development Plan and Implementation Plan

Resources

May 4, 2026 Council Report and Presentation: Economic Development Plan Update – Phase One Workshop | Meeting Minutes

April 9, 2026 Arts, Culture and Economic Development Advisory Group: Economic Development Plan Update – Presentation and Committee Memo

May 5, 2025 Council Report and Presentation: Economic Development Plan Update – Scope of Work | Meeting Minutes

April 10, 2025 Arts, Culture and Economic Development Advisory Group: Economic Development Strategy – Presentation and Committee Memo | Meeting Minutes

Local Economy Indicators (New Westminster)

Future Forward: An Economic Development Plan for New Westminster, 2018-2023