Speaking Before Council

Before you decide to appear before Council as a delegate, you may wish to discuss your concerns with Township staff and/or your Councillor. If your issue cannot be resolved in this manner, please review the following in order to be considered for placement on a Council agenda.

Delegations to Council

Delegation requests are screened by the Clerk, in consultation with the Mayor. The Clerk's Office will contact you by telephone, letter, or email regarding your request. The Clerk will inform Council of requests that are not granted.

If a delegation request is granted, all presentation materials must be submitted to the Clerk's Office one week prior to the Council meeting date. 

Delegation Guidelines

There are some restrictions regarding delegations:

• The subject matter of the delegation must be within municipal jurisdiction.
• Any person who has previously addressed Council on a topic will not be allowed a second delegation unless the person can prove that there is new information to present to Council.
• No delegation requests will be heard during the summer months.
• A maximum of three speakers will be permitted per delegation.
• Each delegation will be limited to a maximum of 15 minutes.
• No more than two delegations shall be scheduled for any Council meeting, subject to the necessity to deal with matters of an urgent nature.
• Delegations to Council from declared candidates for elected office shall not be permitted.
• Delegations shall not promote a specific business.

Delegation Process

Delegations are scheduled at the beginning of regular Council meetings only. If you are chosen to present a delegation, you do not have to read your delegation to Council. They will have already received a copy of your written submission. Instead, simply state the reason you are appearing, the solution or action you are seeking and the reason for your request.

Following your delegation, members of Council will then have the opportunity to ask you any further questions but they shall not enter into a debate. Members of Council will only interrupt a delegation on a point of order.

After Council has heard your delegation and the members have asked you any questions you will be dismissed. Any motions arising from a deputation shall be considered under the "Motion" heading of the agenda. Members of Council will then discuss the matter and determine an appropriate course of action.