Brantford is working to improve how it communicates with residents, with Ward 3 Councillor Dan McCreary emphasizing the City’s commitment to listening directly to the community.
“We’re on a learning tour, asking the public how we can best interact with them. We want to understand how they prefer to receive updates and provide feedback on city initiatives,” McCreary said.
Residents had the opportunity to share their opinions at a public meeting held on Thursday, January 30, at the Woodman Park Community Centre.
The event, which was open to all without requiring registration, began with a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. Attendees were encouraged to provide feedback on how the City can enhance its Community Involvement Framework.
Brantford officials are seeking input from residents, students, and business owners to ensure public engagement efforts are more effective and accessible.
The goal is to create a framework that reflects the diverse needs of the city’s population while fostering stronger two-way communication between residents and local government.
Brantford Ward 3 Councillor Dan McCreary speaking at a public engagement session as part of the “Let’s Talk Brantford” initiative
McCreary outlined the City’s approach to broadening engagement, which includes additional meetings at various locations.
“We’re meeting with residents at different venues, including the Civic Centre on Saturday and the Gretzky Centre on February 13. Our goal is to gather as much input as possible and develop a more inclusive communication strategy,” he explained.
Acknowledging past challenges in engaging the public, McCreary noted that community concerns range from major infrastructure projects to local neighborhood issues.
To reach a wider audience, the City has introduced pop-up engagement stations at community events, such as hockey games and free skate sessions.
“We’re trying to meet people where they already are, making it convenient for them to share their thoughts. If you’re at a Bulldogs game, for example, we can quickly ask how you’d like us to communicate with you,” he said.
By gathering feedback in different settings, officials hope to build a stronger connection with residents and ensure public input plays a more meaningful role in decision-making.
The insights collected from these meetings and engagement efforts will inform updates to the Community Involvement Framework, with the goal of creating a more transparent, responsive, and effective public engagement process.
