Consultation

cathyaylard
15 hours ago
3 min read

Hello!

This week, I'm diving into Consultation. I'll start with my bottom line: there's never enough of it. I expect this post will spark plenty of conversation, and that's a good thing. It's all part of continuous improvement.

My Position

Municipal consultation is how local governments ask residents what they think before making decisions. It's supposed to give people real influence over choices that affect their lives. It usually doesn't. For the past four years, I've heard the same comment again and again: people don't know what's going on, what decisions are being made, or how those decisions will affect them.

My Proof

One key way the Town maintains consistent consultation is through its committees. The Town currently has five committees, made up of resident volunteers who give their time and expertise to help shape local decisions.

I've been involved with the Town of Erin Economic Development Committee (EEDC) since 2020. I started as a volunteer committee member, became Chairperson from 2020–2022, and after my election to Council in October 2022, stayed involved as the Council representative.

We're fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers on our Advisory Committees. Having sat on both sides of the table, I've also seen where the process falls short.

That's what convinced me it was time to act. Using one of the tools a Councillor has to drive change, I moved to examine our committees' current structure and identify ways to make them more effective. Just because we've always done something a certain way doesn't mean it's the most effective way. My motion directed staff to undertake a thorough review of all Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, including mandates, roles and responsibilities, committee structure, overall effectiveness, and to gather input on challenges, opportunities for improvement, and recommended changes.

Over the past four years, I've participated in some great consultation processes, including:

Corporate Strategic Plan
Economic Development Strategic Plan
Visitor Engagement Strategy
Transportation Master Plan
New Website Development
Projects on Erin Engaged

An important consultation opportunity is coming up soon. Early this fall, Public Information Centres (PICs) will provide information and gather input on connecting existing residents to the wastewater system. Stay tuned! https://erinengaged.erin.ca/hewsf-program-water-system-improvementinvestment

My Plan

With your continued support, I will strive to improve our consultation process.

Because this is government, and government runs on policy, we need a formal policy, or framework, for engagement. Yes - another policy! Without a clear framework, there's no consistency or accountability. We have requirements under the Municipal Act, but we should always ask what we should do beyond the minimum.

Our current Citizen Engagement Charter was released in 2018. In my four years serving as your Councillor, this document was never referred to. It's time for a refresh. I'm not suggesting another long-winded policy that sits in a binder on a shelf. I'll be requesting a refresh of this policy, with a clear checklist of avenues for collaboration.

https://www.erin.ca/media/1451/town-of-erin-citizen-engagement-charter.pdf

https://www.erin.ca/media/1455/news-release-citizen-engagement-charter.pdf

Inform - Consult - Involve - Collaborate - Empower

My commitment is to continuously improve our consultation process:

Update standard staff report templates to include 2 new sections - Consultation & Communication - like Town of Blue Mountains just did as part of their Corporate Modernization Strategy - https://pub-bluemountains.escribemeetings.com/FileStream.ashx?DocumentId=33062
Committees – streamlining how they operate so volunteer time translates into real influence on decisions
Task forces – created with a clear, special mandate when needed
Materials/reports – written in plain language
Communication – letting residents know how, when, and where to get involved
Surveys – always including an opportunity for comments
Town Hall meetings – exploring quarterly Town Halls
Council meetings – at least one evening meeting per quarter
Public meetings – held in the evenings