Hearing directly from the people who live here is one of the most important parts of the job for mayor and council. Your thoughts, ideas and concerns matter, and we’re always looking for better ways to listen and respond.
Since 2015, the open forum has been a way for people to share their views in-person with us. Residents could come to council chambers to deliver brief remarks, without much opportunity for council to respond in a meaningful way. People felt like they were talking to a wall, with no back-and-forth and no real engagement. Some also disliked the formality of the space, which made public speaking a bit more stressful for them.
We all want something better. That’s why we believe it’s time to try a new method – a town hall format where we come to you in an open and more personal community space that’s more comfortable and less formal than council chambers. A place where we can actually interact with each other, ask questions, get into the details and have real conversations about the issues that matter to us all.
Our first town hall will be held at Cedar Hill Golf Course Clubhouse on Oct. 22, and we look forward to an invigorating and constructive discussion. We know we may not get this process perfect right away, but we’re committed to making it better. Your feedback will be crucial as we keep improving how we listen and respond to the community. Please share your ideas with us by emailing council@saanich.ca.
Meanwhile, stay tuned for even more opportunities to be heard. Saanich’s Finance and Governance Committee is working on more tools for public input, and we’re excited to see what ideas they bring forward.
These town halls are about creating a better experience for everyone – where you feel listened to, and where council can respond with the information or rationale for decisions that you’re seeking. Let’s make this an opportunity for real conversations, where your voice helps shape the future of Saanich.
Please join us on Oct. 22. We can’t wait to see you – and speak with you – there.
Dean Murdock
Saanich mayor
