Coquitlam city council waved, bowed and even offered a prayer of thanks to the crowd after being individually sworn into office tonight (Monday).
The inaugural meeting drew more than 100 well-wishers to city hall, including some candidates who did not win a place at the civic table on Oct. 15.
Kwikwetlem First Nation (KFN) drummer Kristina Joe ushered in Mayor Richard Stewart and council to the special meeting, along with an RCMP honour guard, while KFN Chief Ed Hall (sχəpχeyləm si:ýém) gave his blessing to the newly elected team that now includes councillors Matt Djonlic and Robert Mazzarolo.
New Westminster Provincial Court Judge Thérèse Alexander, who in July was named the first Black female judge in B.C., administered the oath of office in style — sporting a pair of John Fluevog heels for the occasion.
Stewart acknowledged former councillor Chris Wilson, who did not run for re-election, as well as other diginitaries.
Among them were Freedom of the City recipients Don Cunnings and Sandy Burpee, Coquitlam–Burke Mountain MLA Fin Donnelly, former MLA and former city councillor Diane Thorne, former city councillor Terry O'Neill, CUPE Local 386 president Vim Sharma and Leslie Courchesne, CEO of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce.
Other inaugural meetings have recently or are now taking place across B.C. following the municipal election. Earlier today, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and his council were sworn into office.
