New West Anchor readers chime in on Royal City moniker change

Our inboxes and comment sections have been host to varying opinions following a controversial council decision earlier this month. In case you missed it, Mayor Jonathan Cote tabled a motion to look at changing the Royal City moniker; all but Coun. Chuck Puchmayr supported it. The incoming council will be responsible for setting up a timeline and roadmap for consultations and discussion once municipal elections wrap up in October.

I wrote an opinion piece to get your two cents on the matter, and since I’ve shared my thoughts, we’re passing the mic to you to share your comments with fellow readers.

I hope that there are opportunities in the engagement process to talk face-to-face with other residents in a respectful space, perhaps even sharing food together. I think that we have a tendency to be incredibly uncharitable to one another in online settings, and I have seen so very little conversation of this issue on chat threads that is productive or that involves any substantive mutual engagement. It would be great for there to be opportunities for genuine conversations about this issue in the community.

–Elliot R.

I have lived in New West for 13 years. I have raised two children here, worked and volunteered in the city and honestly can say I love this city and the people who live here and work so hard to create such an amazing community. I am in favour of removing the Royal City moniker for multiple reasons. Of course reconciliation is the primary factor to consider. It is not the 1800s, we are not a British colony and are not royal. We should move forward to have a more reflective name like:

• Bridge city!

• Traffic city!

• No left turns!

• Train whistles and coyotes!

• This is not a suburb!

At one time New West was known as "festival city." We had a lot more street festivals. How about we just call it "New West—the city."

You can't hold back progress. Some things are worth preserving while others need to evolve.

–Kathleen S.

Changing the City's insignia because it may sadden or hurt some people's feelings is ludicrous. There are more important issues at hand or is the mayor and council shifting interest from something more harmful to them?

–Jettie G.

I've lived in New West for three years. I really love the city, the diversity of ages, backgrounds, languages and cultures, and the attachment that folks have to it.

As to rebranding, I'm not sure the city should invest in rebranding its subtitle (the Royal City) before looking at the wider question of the name of the city overall. I think a good public process should be done, giving prominence to the Qayqayt First Nation and to other Indigenous residents, but including everybody. Being thoughtful now will mean no need to have a do-over in the near future.

–Donna M.

Got a thought you want to share with your community? Email [email protected]! Submissions have been edited for clarity and length.