Despite poor engagement and blocked commentary, officials declared the process a “successful consultation” — turning silence into a stamp of approval.
On November 26, 2025, Council unanimously adopted the new Strategic Plan. If you feel like you missed your chance to have a say, you aren’t alone. The public was effectively shut out of the process until the gavel fell.
My own attempts to present comments to Council were repeatedly blocked. When I asked a direct question: "Will there be a second reading of the strategic plan and a possible vote in council?" I received a masterclass in bureaucratic ambiguity: "It is possible that there will be a motion to approve the second version as the final version if Council sees fit…"
Translated? The public was kept in the dark until the final moments, ensuring no opportunity for meaningful input.
The meeting itself was an exercise in theater rather than governance. For 45 minutes and 37 seconds, two consultants read the document aloud, verbatim; It was a staggering waste of time. Actual Council discussion was limited to just over 12 minutes.
Even then, the elected officials took a backseat. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), an unelected staff member, was given the floor first, framing the narrative while Council members simply nodded along.
The legacy of this Strategic Plan is defined by its process: minimal publicity, near-zero attendance at town halls, a single leading question survey with abysmal public participation, and a refusal to hear public comment. Council knew the public engagement was poor, yet they chose to interpret the community's silence as consent.
They call this a "successful public consultation." I call it a rubber stamp.
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