By Ruby Pratka

Local Journalism Initiative

Bromont unveiled its public consultation policy on Sept. 3, becoming the first city in Estrie and the second in the province to formalize the right to a citizens’ initiative – allowing citizens to order up a public consultation on an issue if their request gets enough signatures.

The policy was developed through a public consultation process of its own in partnership with the Institut du Nouveau Monde and an intergenerational citizens’ committee. Its stated goals are to reinforce transparency, encourage citizen engagement, optimize public consultation and counteract disinformation, and to ensure that citizens receive feedback on their proposals from decision makers.

“The objective of this policy is to ensure that projects submitted for consultation can be discussed and improved through co-development with various stakeholders, in order to foster a shared and comprehensive vision of the issues addressed and better projects,” a city information document reads. The policy does not replace existing urban planning consultation procedures or referendum processes. Any resident 16 or older can submit a project for consultation, although projects can’t be led by a single individual – at least two leaders must take on the project and submit a proposal. The number of signatures required to bring about a public consultation is high – 20 per cent of the town’s population or 15 per cent of the population of any given neighbourhood for a hyperlocal issue – although petition sponsors have six months to gather all of their signatures. The consultation can take a number of different forms depending on the nature of the proposal.

The policy can be used to put forward initiatives around urban planning, sustainable development, housing, land conservation, cultural affairs, parks and public places, transit, community activities and investment priorities. Two calls for proposals for citizens’ initiatives will be launched each year. A permanent citizens’ committee will work with city officials to “evaluate the relevance” of public consultation requests.

“If a citizen wants to address an issue that affects the whole municipality or their neighbourhood there is a process by which they can initiate a public consultation if they gather enough signatures,” Mayor Tatiana Contreras told the BCN. “The objective is to be more efficient and give concrete results. We have people in Bromont with ideas and knowledge, and the objective is to be more efficient and give concrete results. I would like for this experience to bring us closer [as a community] and make people want to get involved.”

Contreras specified that public consultations normally take place in French, but “we’re always able to respond to all of our clientele.”

“The process leading to this adoption was marked by multiple consultations: surveys, a citizen forum during Family Day, publication of reports, and public events, allowing for the collection of 11 contributions from citizens,” the city’s department of communications and citizen experience said in a statement. “While the policy was positively received for its transparency and openness, several citizens also expressed a desire to simplify its access and implementation; this citizen feedback will inspire the drafting of the future implementation guide and municipal action plan in the coming months.”

Further information can be found on the city website at Bromont.net.