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Community Engagement Framework and Policy update

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Consultation has concluded

Help us make Guelph the most engaged community in Canada

We want diverse voices to participate regularly in local government decisions. To do this we know we must get better at:

  • Creating safer spaces for more diverse voices
  • Reducing barriers to participation
  • Meeting people where they are

And we need to get better at using community wisdom to shape decisions for both short-term projects and the ones that affect future generations.

What is the Community Engagement Framework and Policy?

The Policy and Framework are documents that guide City staff on its approach to engaging the community on decisions that affect you. These documents influence how City staff think about, design, and deliver community engagement, and ultimately, how your voice is reflected in City decisions, policies, systems, programs, and services

First approved in 2013, the current Community Engagement Policy and Community Engagement Framework (last revised in 2015) are due for an update.

How you can get involved

If you need any information material or process in an alternate accessible format please contact the project manager.

On June 6, the findings from the review of the City’s Community Engagement Framework, Policy and practices will be shared with Council, along with draft components of a modernized Framework for Council’s approval.

The review found that the community’s vision for community engagement was very much in line with the aspiration of the original 2013 framework (revised in 2015), but that there was work to be done in closing the gap between where we are today, and that vision. Details from the review are outlined in the staff report for the June 6 Committee of the Whole meeting.

The staff report to Council is also available on guelph.ca/agenda. The staff report begins on page 104 of the council agenda. Appended to the staff report are several attachments that represent this body of work:

Help us make Guelph the most engaged community in Canada

We want diverse voices to participate regularly in local government decisions. To do this we know we must get better at:

  • Creating safer spaces for more diverse voices
  • Reducing barriers to participation
  • Meeting people where they are

And we need to get better at using community wisdom to shape decisions for both short-term projects and the ones that affect future generations.

What is the Community Engagement Framework and Policy?

The Policy and Framework are documents that guide City staff on its approach to engaging the community on decisions that affect you. These documents influence how City staff think about, design, and deliver community engagement, and ultimately, how your voice is reflected in City decisions, policies, systems, programs, and services

First approved in 2013, the current Community Engagement Policy and Community Engagement Framework (last revised in 2015) are due for an update.

How you can get involved

If you need any information material or process in an alternate accessible format please contact the project manager.

On June 6, the findings from the review of the City’s Community Engagement Framework, Policy and practices will be shared with Council, along with draft components of a modernized Framework for Council’s approval.

The review found that the community’s vision for community engagement was very much in line with the aspiration of the original 2013 framework (revised in 2015), but that there was work to be done in closing the gap between where we are today, and that vision. Details from the review are outlined in the staff report for the June 6 Committee of the Whole meeting.

The staff report to Council is also available on guelph.ca/agenda. The staff report begins on page 104 of the council agenda. Appended to the staff report are several attachments that represent this body of work:

Consultation has concluded

  • Community Conversation Details

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    CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

    We believe the best and most representative public policy is developed with input from everyone. That’s why we’re updating our community engagement guiding documents, to reflect the ideas and thoughts of Guelphites.

    We can’t do this without you. We need your ideas about how to better involve you, your neighbours and Guelph businesses in our decision-making process. Your voice and opinion matter!

    Register and join us at one or both of our sessions in January.

    Elevating Engagement Equity (in-person)

    Register at: https://Elevating-Equity-Engagement.eventbrite.ca

    Tuesday, January 17, 2023
    9:30-11:30 a.m.
    10c     (42 Carden Street)

    A community discussion to bring diversity, inclusion, and equity into our engagement discussions. Join us and share your thoughts and ideas on how we can better capture the diverse and representative voices that make up Guelph.

    Inviting Innovative Involvement (virtual)

    Register at: https://Inviting-Innovation.eventbrite.ca

    Wednesday, January 25, 2023
    6-8 p.m.

    Innovation doesn't always mean digital. Let’s think beyond the survey and really explore what’s working and what’s not with our current engagement practices. Come ready to share your ideas and brainstorm new ways to reach out to our community, have conversations and to level-up the decision making process to become more inviting to more people in Guelph.

    Join on WebEx:

    Join by phone

    • 416-216-5643 Canada Toll (Toronto)
    • 519-931-7452 (London)
      • Access code: 233 118 51513