Canadian Urban Institute

On October 6, the CUI’s strategy and engagement practice, Connector, hosted a Roundtable Breakfast entitled "Civic Engagement – From Buzzword to Meaningful Process". The event kicked off with opening remarks from moderator Jeff Evenson and some insights from a cross-cutting panel including activist Dave Meslin, the CBC’s Mary Wiens, MASS LBP’s Peter MacLeod, Elaine Shin from the Ontario Growth Secretariat and engagement specialist Nicole Swerhun.

For the remainder of the event all participants were called upon to discuss what advice they would have for Toronto’s mayoralty candidates in order to ensure meaningful and effective civic engagement.

Here are some key messages that emerged from the discussion:

Apathy is not really apathy: What is perceived as public apathy is often the result of a complex web of barriers that discourage citizens from engaging in decisions that affect their lives. People are often unsure whether their opinion matters and they are not willing to talk just for “talk’s sake”.

Government transparency is key: People are much more likely to participate when they are engaged in a transparent process. When a project’s objectives and timelines are clearly laid out and when participants are made aware of the decisions their input can influence, they are much more willing and able to offer valuable insights that improve decision making.

Citizens as assets, not liabilities: While we hear about the public’s lack of trust for politicians, it is often politicians’ lack of trust in the public that stifles civic engagement. Decision makers need to see their constituency as an asset rather than a liability. Since there is little consistency in how elected officials engage with their constituents, “engagement standards” for City councillors could set the bar for what is expected of them.

Communicate clearly, consistently and broadly: Communications for public meetings (e.g. notices in the newspaper) seem to be designed to discourage participation. Design standards could make them more enticing and easier to find. It is also critical to send communications through a diversity of mediums in order to reach all demographics.