In 1859, the Royal Engineers arrived from England to establish the first capital of the new colony of British Columbia. The chosen site was selected both its beauty and strategic location on the Fraser River. On February 14, 1859, Governor James Douglas proclaimed the site as the capital for British Columbia and on July 20, 1859, the name “New Westminster” was officially declared – a name chosen by Queen Victoria herself. The naming by Her Royal Highness gave residents, both then and now, the honour of referring to their home as the “Royal City”.

New Westminster has remained a diverse and prosperous city. Our economy has changed and grown over the years evolving from a reliance on the primary resources of lumber and fishing in the 1800s, to heavy industry and manufacturing in the first half of the 1900s, to retail from the mid 1950s to the ‘70s. Today the health care sector, followed by the manufacturing and educational service sectors have the highest concentration of jobs in our city. New Westminster has a strong connection to arts and culture, with extensive recreational arts participants and professional artists.

Our city is also known for its numerous celebrations and festivals. May Day, the Ancient and Honourable Hyack Anvil Battery Salute, Hyack Festival, and FraserFest are just some of the popular events recognized throughout the area and unite residents annually.

Over the past one hundred and fifty years, New Westminster has continued to grow and thrive. We are a community with active and engaged citizens who are enthusiastic and passionate about their city. Our residents recognize New Westminster’s uniqueness by honouring the heritage that surrounds us and celebrating our city’s diversity, vitality and tradition. New Westminster is a city unlike any other and 2009 is our year to shine!