Addressing youth (dis)-engagement in the City of New Westminster

This study explores youth engagement and civic participation in the City of New Westminster, asking why some youth participate in municipal planning and decision making, while others do not. It employs primary survey data gathered through a Youth Engagement Survey. Analysis of the survey data indicates that important factors affecting youth engagement include neighbourhood location, gender, and minority status. Further, the analysis demonstrates that youth become less interested in political involvement as they become older; boys are less likely to be engaged in municipal planning and decision making as compared to girls. It also establishes that visible minorities have a lower rate of participation in many dimensions, and low income translates to lower civic engagement. This study suggests several policy alternatives for the City of New Westminster to consider to aid in addressing the disengagement of the youth population.