Community Engagement

2026.10.22

A search on ‘community engagement’ suggests that “Community engagement in Ontario municipalities is the practice of involving residents, businesses, and stakeholders in local government decision-making processes for policies, services, and projects that affect them.”

This Council has provided increased opportunity for residents to inform themselves about their Township and to provide their feedback.  The monthly Council meeting package is made public prior to the meeting.  The meeting itself is available in person and online, and a recording is posted soon afterwards, with official minutes following.

This Council implemented a formal Question Period at the end of the meeting to allow for questions and comments, both in person and online.

All Councillors are available by telephone or email, and often visible out in the community.

On the matter of reopening Nellie Lunn Park, which this Council was elected to do, there was substantial community engagement.  The general will of the community to reopen the park was clear, and it was important to engage the adjacent landowners specifically during this process.

On numerous occasions adjacent landowners presented their perspective to Council through in-person delegation, email or individual conversation. This was considered when preparing the plan to reopen the park.

The Nellie Lunn Park Urbach Lake Trail Reopening Charter and Plan document was made public and open for comment.  Monthly project reports, presented in Council, kept the public informed and provided an opportunity for feedback.

The reopening of Nellie Lunn Park exemplifies the level of community and key stakeholder engagement that the current Council has met.

Ultimately, engagement means listening openly and honestly and acting in good faith.  The business of Council is to make decisions in the best interests of the community.  This doesn’t always mean that everyone leaves the table happy.

If you would like a response to a particular question, please send it to me at jd@jd4Wollaston.ca.  I’ll be posting in several Facebook groups along with my webpage www.jd4Wollaston.ca so unless you send it to me directly, it may get missed.