Reflections on public engagement
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I am no stranger to public engagement. I have volunteered thousands of hours to share my perspective on plans, issues, and projects in Winnipeg since the early 1990s. I attend open houses, respond to surveys, prepare written submissions, and speak at public hearings.
I know first-hand the effort this takes. Thanks to everyone who has provided the city with feedback related to issues you care about. Special thanks if you have had the courage to speak at a hearing. Glossophobia, fear of public speaking, is believed to affect up to 75 per cent of all people.
Speaking at a public hearing is never easy – especially if the members of the hearing body do not understand or share your perspective. Many years ago, I attended a public hearing to express concern about the loss of frog habitat in my neighbourhood. This unusual perspective was openly mocked by members of the hearing body. Fortunately, the local media was more open-minded. Story headlines such as “Activist comes leaping to frogs’ defence” sparked public interest. This convinced the city and developer to discuss options. Today, you can visit Frog Plain Park to learn about its unique place in Winnipeg history.
Photo by Cary Castagna
Meaningful collaboration with the public leads to better decisions, as correspondent Michele Kading learned in the 1990s when she leapt to the defense of frogs in her neighbourhood.
This is one example of how “diverse perspectives and knowledge contribute to better decision making.”
Today, Winnipeg’s office of engagement strives to achieve this end through meaningful engagement. Success will require a sea change. For decades, the city has collaborated with the development community. It incorporates their advice and recommendations into decisions that impact everyone. Broad public engagement has been less meaningful. It is often limited to providing information or gathering feedback on options selected by the city or developers. This imbalance spurred opposition to two recent proposals.
The proposal to remove bird-friendly design requirements from a zoning bylaw garnered over 600 written submissions from concerned citizens. This was unprecedented – until a proposal to restrict public protest garnered over 1,000 submissions.
Protest is the last resort for people whose concerns have been ignored. Winnipeg must build trust with people who care about trees, water, birds, biodiversity, and greenspace. It must engage with “non-developers” in a more meaningful way so diverse perspectives are reflected in all future plans, policies, and bylaws. Only when Winnipeg embraces collaboration for public engagement will Winnipeg achieve its vision of making better decisions. Only then, will there be less public opposition. Fewer written submissions. Fewer speakers at hearings. Fewer protests. Win-win-win.
Michele Kading
St. Vital community correspondent
Michele Kading is a community correspondent for St. Vital. She is also the executive director of the Association of Manitoba Museums.
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Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Michele Kading
St. Vital community correspondent
Michele Kading is a community correspondent for St. Vital. She is also the executive director of the Association of Manitoba Museums.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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