Title
Policy C-461 Public Participation
Proposed Motions
1. That the proposed Public Participation Policy C-461 be received for information, as presented.
2. That Administration be directed to present the Public Participation Policy C-461 at the November 24, 2026, Council meeting for consideration.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration supports the proposed motions.
Purpose
To update Council on the Engagement Program Review and to present the proposed Public Participation Policy C-461 for Council’s consideration, which would replace existing Policy C-AD51.
Summary
As per s216.1(1) of the Municipal Government Act, Parkland County is required to establish and maintain a public participation policy to govern public participation processes. Alberta Regulation 193/2017 (the Public Participation Policy Regulation) sets out the basic requirements for what must be included within the public participation policy. Parkland County’s existing Public Engagement Policy (Policy C-AD51) was approved by Council in 2016 and has remained in effect since that time.
In October 2025, Administration initiated the Engagement Program Review Project to evaluate Policy C-AD51 and the County’s approach to public engagement in order to identify opportunities to improve consistency, accountability, transparency, and organizational capacity. This review, completed by Catalyst Communications, included background research and jurisdictional scan, policy review, internal staff engagement, public engagement via survey and focus groups, and a public participation maturity assessment.
While the existing Policy C-AD51 continues to satisfy basic legislative requirements, the Engagement Program Review Project identified opportunities to modernize the policy and better align it with industry best practices, community expectations, and organizational needs. Key findings and recommendations arising from the review were presented to Council at the May 5, 2026, Government and Priorities ...
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