What Is a Delegation Request? A Resident’s Guide to Speaking Before Council

Residents, community groups, and organizations have a formal way to bring an issue directly before City Council. This is called a delegation. The steps below follow Delta’s Council Procedure Bylaw No. 8330 as it reads today.

What it is

A delegation request is a written request to appear at a Regular Council Meeting and speak about a specific issue. It is one of the few ways a resident or organization can address all members of Council directly and have that address become part of the official public record.

Who can request one

Any resident, organization, or business may submit a request. The general right to appear before Council exists across British Columbia. The specific steps here are Delta’s. Other municipalities write their own procedure bylaws.

How the process works in Delta today

1. Send a written request to the City Clerk, with background on what you want to address.
2. Submit it at least seven business days before the meeting you want to attend.
3. Under Bylaw 8330, sections 13.4 and 13.10, the request is subject to the Mayor’s approval before it is scheduled.
4. If approved, the City Clerk confirms the date.
5. At the meeting you have up to 10 minutes to present, plus time for questions from Council. You must state your name and address for the record.

Full bylaw: Council Procedure Bylaw No. 8330 · Plain-language notes: 8330 key rules.

Why the approving authority matters

The bylaw names the Mayor, not the Corporate Officer, the City Manager, or external counsel. For the process to work as written, a resident should be able to see who decided and under which section.

What 2026 slates have said

Related: 15 Questions, No Answers · Election 2026

This is a guide to the process as written. It is not legal advice. Check the current bylaw before you file a request.