Overview

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is guided by the Official Community Plan (OCP) and community vision: “A place where our community thrives, nature is protected, and guests are inspired.”  Each term, Council establishes priorities to steward the community towards this vision. Committees of Council exist to advise RMOW staff and Council on how to advance on these priorities and other topics important to the running and governance of the RMOW. While some Committees remain constant, others may change with each Council term.

Committees of Council are dedicated to focusing on high-level policy and strategy, advancing Council priorities, providing advice and recommendations to staff and Council, fostering collaborative solutions to complex problems, engaging subject-matter experts, and gathering community perspectives.

Below is a graphic that outlines the current committee structure.

Types of committees

The legal framework for Committees of Council is established by Provincial legislation. Committees serve an advisory role and operate within the guidelines specified in their Terms of Reference, the Community Charter , and the Council Procedure Bylaw.

Under the Community Charter, there are two types of committees: Standing and Select.

Standing Committees are formed and appointed solely by the Mayor and typically consist of council members and staff. At least half the members of a Standing Committee must be Council members, as per section 141 of the Community Charter.

Select Committees are formed and have their members appointed by a majority vote of all of Council. These committees usually include members of Council, RMOW staff, external organizations, and community members at large who have specific expertise, skills, or experience relevant to the topic. Select Committees must include at least one member of Council, as per section 142 of the Community Charter.

The composition of each committee is detailed in its respective Terms of Reference.

Select committees

• Climate Action and Environment Committee
• Housing and Strategy Committee
• Smart Tourism Committee
• Accessibility and Inclusion Committee
• Advisory Design Panel
• Emergency Planning Committee
• Liquor Licence Advisory Committee

Standing committees

• Audit and Finance Standing Committee
• Human Resources Standing Committee
• Governance and Ethics Standing Committee

Joining a committee

When community members join a committee, they volunteer their time and contribute knowledge, expertise, and experience to address topics that are priorities for Council and the organization. Members of the public interested in committee positions are invited to apply when openings are advertised. Committee positions are posted on whistler.ca. They are also advertised across RMOW social media channels and in the Pique newspaper. To explore current vacancies and understand the requirements, please visit Current committee opportunities.

Committee applications are reviewed by staff and Council, and appointments are determined through a majority vote by Council in a Closed Council meeting.

Attending a committee meeting

Members of the public can join Committee of Council meetings virtually, where they can observe and listen to the discussion. Committee meetings are open to the public unless the topic relates to a subject included in Section 90 of the Community Charter.

The public can virtually attend open committee meetings by registering via Microsoft Teams webinar. Detailed schedules and times for committee meetings are available on the specific committee’s webpage. Committee meeting dates are posted two weeks in advance. Additionally, the agenda and related materials for open meetings are made available three business days beforehand on the committee’s webpage and on the physical bulletin board outside Municipal Hall. For detailed instructions on how to join a committee meeting on Microsoft Teams Webinar, please check back in Summer 2024.

How Council utilizes committee advice and recommendations

Council and staff receive information from committees through documented meeting minutes, annual reports, and formal recommendations. Committee meeting minutes record actions and decisions and are included in the Council Meeting agendas for review and receipt by Council. Each January, a Committee of the Whole meeting is dedicated to committee updates, where Council hears from committees about their accomplishments, priorities, and any other relevant information. Formal recommendations are proposed through motions and incorporated into council reports by the relevant staff members.

Contact

Legislative Services
corporate@whistler.ca