News

Council to review Public Engagement Policy updates on Dec 1

25 November 2025

Join us on Monday, December 1 starting at 5:30 p.m. for the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee meeting.

At this meeting, staff will present the Community Engagement Policy Update (Report COR-2025-454). This report recommends amendments to the City’s engagement policy to align with best practices and public expectations.

What’s changing?

  • Adoption of the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Practice Framework and Public Participation Spectrum for clearer, evidence-based engagement processes.
  • Introduction of new guiding principles shaped by resident input: Purposeful, Accountable and Transparent, Inclusive by Design, Respectful, Relationship-Building, and Learning and Improvement.
  • A more streamlined, principles-led policy that emphasizes clarity, consistency, and inclusivity.
  • Policy name change from “Community Engagement” to “Public Engagement” for better alignment with sector standards.

These changes aim to make engagement more predictable, transparent, and meaningful for residents.

About the meeting

To view the meeting agenda, visit calendar.kitchener.ca/council.

If you would like to speak to the committee during this meeting, please register as a delegation.

You can watch live on the day of the meeting at kitchener.ca/watchnow.