You鈥檇 have to look closely to notice the difference, but the City of 91原创 has a brand new council.

Returning for his third term in office, Mayor Peter Fassbender followed a piper and honour guard as he led incumbent council members Dave Hall, Gayle Martin, Teri James, Rosemary Wallace and Jack Arnold into council chambers on Monday afternoon. Joining them was Ted Schaffer, a former City councillor who was re-elected on Nov. 19 after stepping away from politics in 2008. Schaffer replaces one-term councillor Rudy Storteboom, who attended the ceremony and was acknowledged for his service with a round of applause from the gallery, which was filled to overflowing.

The City of 91原创鈥檚 37th council was sworn into office during an hour-long ceremony, the first 15 minutes of which celebrated the growing relationship between the Kwantlen First Nation and the City of 91原创.

Speaking on behalf of his wife, Kwantlen Chief Marilyn Gabriel, Kevin Kelly conveyed to the new council a message of mutual honour and respect.

Five members of the Kwantlen First Nation sang and drummed before band councillor Tumia Knott and Les Antone fixed the chain of office around Fassbender鈥檚 neck.

In doing so, Knott drew a parallel between the chain and the Kwantlen people鈥檚 traditional chief鈥檚 blanket.

Both, she said, represent the strength of vision and balance that allows leaders to work on behalf of the people they represent.

鈥淭his is a historic day for us, to be included in this year鈥檚 event, and we thank you for that,鈥� she said.

Before issuing the oaths of office for both the mayor and council, Judge Russell MacKay spoke of the responsibility inherent in holding public office.

Each member of council has been entrusted with the ability to make laws.

And the oath, MacKay said, is a vow to undertake and perform that responsibility in an honourable fashion.

鈥淵ou may at times have to look in your neighbour鈥檚 eyes, while grappling with tough decisions. As you make those decisions, I urge you to remember that society functions because of your commitment.鈥�

This, MacKay said, is the true meaning of the oath.

Before giving his inaugural address 鈥� which touched on the City鈥檚 budgeting and finances, transportation, emergency services and the Downtown Master Plan 鈥� Fassbender thanked the Kwantlen representatives, echoing the desire for closer ties between the City and the First Nations people.

鈥淚t is an honour for me to have you bestow the chain of office,鈥� he told Knott.

He acknowledged the seniors of 91原创, singling out Schaffer鈥檚 92-year-old mother in the audience as well as his own mother-in-law, who is 95, thanking them for laying the foundation of the community.

He thanked the faith community and acknowledged the hard work of City staff, before asking that all of council鈥檚 family members in the audience stand to be recognized for their own sacrifice.

The ceremony closed with a quick round of business, as council members were appointed to various regional committees 鈥� with Gayle Martin returning to her seat on the Metro Vancouver board of directors, Teri James sitting on the Fraser Valley Regional Library Board and Fassbender representing the City on Metro Vancouver鈥檚 labour relations committee.

Fassbender also explained that council members will share the role of deputy mayor, with each taking a six-month rotation between now and the next election in October, 2014.