City Budget 2027 + 2026 Youth Awards

Issue #586

Author

Carla McNeil
May 04, 2026

Inside the New West Spotlight

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 🗞️ New West Local News - City Budget 2027 + 2026 Youth Awards

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 26.7 1953 - Record low 0.0 1906

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

Monday May 04, 2026

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

🎹 Prodigious Felix at Anvil Theatre – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

⭐️ Youth Week: May the Fourth Be With Youth – 3:15 PM to 9:00 PM

🧩 Steel & Oak Puzzle Mondays – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

👗 City Hall Illumination - Red - Red Dress Day – 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM

🎨 Downtown’s Living Room at Anvil Centre – 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

🎙️ Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Tuesday May 05, 2026

🗣️ English Conversation Circles at the Welcome Centre – 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

📖 Storytime (3-5 years) – 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

🥻 Red Dress Day at Hyack Square – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🍦 Youth Week: Ice Cream and Games Night – 3:15 PM to 9:00 PM

👗 City Hall Illumination - Red - Red Dress Day – 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM

🎤 Ukulele Level 1 at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

🚴 Tuesday Night Rides – 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

🍺 Steel & Oak Beer and Board Games – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hot B*tch Rock & Roll Bingo – 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

🎭️ Notorious Grey Fox Trivia Tuesdays – 7:00 PM

🕺 Introduction to Social Lindy Hop (5 wks) – 7:00 PM to 8:05 PM

💃 The Next Step: Charleston (5 wks) – 8:30 PM to 9:40 PM

Wednesday May 06, 2026

☕️ May Waves Wednesday – 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

💰️ Financial Aid (Welfare) Worker at NWPL – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 CaRT Peer Navigators – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

👶 Babytime (0-23 months) – 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM

🗣️ Mayor Johnstone's Annual State of the City Address – 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM

🎒 After-School Drop-In (5-12 years) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🤝 Youth Week: Cultural Collab – 3:15 PM to 9:00 PM

👗 City Hall Illumination - Red - Red Dress Day – 5:00 PM to 5:00 AM

🎤 Find Your Voice at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

📖 Pyjama Storytime (all ages) – 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM

❓️ Georgie's Local Trivia Night – 7:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Drag Bingo & Trivia – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🏃 Steel & Oak Run Club – 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Connect Youth (13+) – 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

❓️Frankie G’s Trivia Night – 7:30 PM

Your voice can help shape the future of New Westminster.

The City has launched its Budget 2027 Opinion Survey, giving both residents and local businesses a chance to share their priorities and help guide how funding is allocated in the year ahead.

Conducted by Ipsos, the survey will play a key role in identifying what matters most to the community — from services and infrastructure to programs and investments.

📍 How It Works

Invitations are being mailed out across New Westminster and include a unique, one time access code to complete the survey. Participation is open to those 18 years and older, and the survey will remain open until May 25.

As a thank you, participants can also enter a draw to win one of ten $100 gift cards to a local New Westminster business.

💬 Why It Matters

This is more than a survey — it is an opportunity for the community to directly influence decisions that impact daily life, local services, and the city’s future direction.

For businesses, it is a chance to highlight economic priorities and challenges. For residents, it is a way to ensure their needs and ideas are reflected in the city’s plans.

In New Westminster, the future is already making a difference — and it is something worth celebrating.

The New West Youth Awards are all about recognizing the incredible young people, ages 13 to 18, who are shaping the community with their passion, kindness, and drive. From leadership and athletics to arts, culture, and sustainability, these awards shine a light on the many ways youth are showing up and making an impact.

And it is not just about the awards — it is about celebrating stories, lifting each other up, and creating a space where young people feel seen and valued.

This year’s ceremony takes place on Thursday, May 7, bringing the community together to honour nominees and winners who continue to inspire those around them.

Every nominee will receive a Youth Legacy Package, and award winners will be recognized with a $100 honorarium and a letter of recognition — meaningful reminders of the difference they are making.

There is even a special Adult Ally category, celebrating those who support and empower youth on their journey.

While nominations for 2026 are now closed, the message remains strong: New West youth are doing amazing things every day, and this program is here to celebrate that energy, creativity, and heart.

🚨 The Tin Man is back!

A fresh mystery photo is live 👀 — think you know the spot?

🎁 Win a $25 Gift Card from Mother Nature Essences (Apr 30 - May 06).

👉 Drop your guess on Facebook and Instagram
👉 Your play guide is here

🎡 Curious how winners are chosen? Watch the official spin on our YouTube channel.

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What’s rain’s favorite phrase in warm weather? 🌞 

💧 “Let’s make it intense.”🔥

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