Public Hearings

Public Hearings are required according to the Local Government Act to allow the public to make representations to Council regarding municipal official community plans, zoning amendment bylaws and or an early termination of a land use contract bylaw. Public hearings take place between the second and third readings of a bylaw amendment. The time and date for the public hearing are published in advance on the Notice. There may be more than one public hearing held on the same night.

Accessing the virtual public hearing

All public hearings will be held via Zoom. The link for the virtual public hearings online video option will be posted on the individual public hearing pages, accessible via the Public Hearings and Development Input webpage before the Public Hearing. You can link via the Zoom app on a smart phone or tablet, or using a computer. You will not require a camera to participate. However, if you wish to make a submission, you will need a microphone. If calling by telephone, the phone numbers to access the Public Hearing phone conferencing option are as follows:

+1-778-907-2071
+1-647-374-4685

The meeting ID and password for the phone conferencing option will also be posted on the individual public hearing pages, accessible via the Public Hearings and Development Input webpage before the Public Hearing. You can also obtain this information by calling the Planning Department before the Public Hearing at 604-935-8170.

What happens at a public hearing?

All public hearings follow the same procedure:

The Mayor reads an opening statement to the public, indicating what will happen next.
Staff may present on the proposed bylaw.
Members of Council may ask questions, but will not speak their views or debate the bylaw.
The applicant may make a verbal submission immediately after the staff presentation, in which case the Planning File Manager needs to know the names of the people speaking one week prior to the public hearing. Alternatively, the applicant may speak as a member of the public.
Members of the public are invited to make verbal submissions. Each speaker must commence remarks by clearly stating their name and address.
Written submissions are due not later than two hours before the scheduled start of the first public hearing on that day. Written submissions are to be sent to corporate@whistler.ca.
When there is no one else wishing to speak, the public hearing is declared closed.

Please note that the public hearing is live-streamed and recorded online for public viewing through the RMOW’s website archives. By attending the event, you consent to your personal information being collected and disclosed as per sections 26(c), 26(g), 33.1(1)(q), and 33.2(a) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Your only opportunity to comment on the proposed Bylaw is prior to and during the Public Hearing. Council is not permitted to receive further submissions once it has closed the Public Hearing. All submissions will form part of the public record.

How to make a written submission

If you wish to submit written comments for a public hearing, written submissions are due not later than two hours before the scheduled start of the first Public Hearing for that day. Letters may be emailed to corporate@whistler.ca. Correspondence will need to be addressed "to Mayor and Council", must contain your civic mailing address and specify the Bylaw on which your letter is commenting. All submissions will form part of the public record.

The Corporate Officer must receive the correspondence no later than noon on the Wednesday preceding a Public Hearing for the letter to be included in the agenda package, correspondence received after the package but before the Public Hearing will be published as late correspondence on the day of the Public Hearing.

New: Written submissions will be accepted up until two hours before the start of the Public Hearing and will not be accepted afterwards.

Development input opportunities

Members of the public are provided opportunities for comment on certain land use and development applications consistent with statutory requirements and RMOW practices. Find more information about currently scheduled Public Hearings, Notices of Public Hearings Waived, Notices of Intention to Issue Development Variance Permits, Board of Variance Hearings and public input opportunities for rezoning applications at whistler.ca/DevelopmentInput.

View development input opportunities