Annual Report 2022

Mayor’s Introduction

DAN RUIMY, MAYOR

On behalf of Council, I am very pleased to present the 2022 Annual Report which delivers an overview of the City’s financial performance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. This report also provides residents with an update on the work currently underway in our community, along with the financial health of the corporation as part of our commitment to transparency and accountability. I want to start my message by acknowledging that the City of Maple Ridge is located on the traditional and unceded lands of the Katzie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation who have been stewards of this community for over 10,000 years. This acknowledgement is an important part of a journey of truth and reconciliation that is underway in our community and across the nation.

Council has had a busy beginning to our term which commenced in November. As I noted in my inaugural address, residents have selected a combination of new voices and experienced public servants to guide the community for the next four years. Our commitment as a Council is to collaborate and debate the issues that come before us with passion and to acknowledge and respect the diversity of lived experiences and perspectives. I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge my fellow Councillors; Councillor Dueck, Tan, Schiller, Dozie, Carreras, and Yousef as our strength is in the diversity of voices around the table. I would like to offer my thanks to the leadership team and staff at the City who serve the community with dedication and professionalism. Annual Reports, by nature, are a look back on where we came from, and I would like to thank the previous Council for their hard work through challenging times, over the last four years. Maple Ridge is growing at twice the pace of the national average. As such, there are many challenges, but even more opportunities to build the city of the future. The current Council has adopted the 2023-2026 Council Strategic Plan and the 2023-2027 Financial Plan to guide us on the path forward. Unlike many communities, our average age is decreasing, as young families select Maple Ridge as their home. We are looking at investments in our transportation network, recreation facilities and attracting new investment and employment growth to ensure our City continues to offer an exceptional lifestyle for long time and new residents alike.

Finally, I want to thank our residents for the comments, feedback and support that we’ve received since we’ve taken office. Council is inspired by the people in our community that run businesses, volunteer to support sports and the arts and generously invest their time and efforts to help those in our community who are in need. Thank you for taking the time to read through this Annual Report.

Dan Ruimy, Mayor

6 City of Maple Ridge - 2022 Annual Report