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There a still so much to work through and process around how much work we have to do about citizen engagement, respectful inclusive participation, and safe and healthy spaces for engaging and volunteer work at our city. 1/ https://twitter.com/laurababcock/status/1311066800503885825
I spoke of a need for a re-set. That re-set, in my view, starts with our City adopting the International Association of Public Participation @IAP2 model which includes an approach to decision making that moves from inform to empower 2/
That re-set includes recognizing the power differential that exists - councillors have more power than citizens. With that power comes a responsibility of grace and kindness. To welcome citizens to their local democracy and make that space safe and inclusive. 3/
Another part of that re-set is active listening to citizens and each other. It means being open to what others saying and welcoming new ideas. It means losing the cynicism that citizens who engage and ask questions are “keyboard morons”. Because that cynicism leads to ignoring 4/
And discounting the anguished feedback of a mother who lost her daughter on RedHill, of Indigenous women who knew something was wrong in Chedoke Creek, of residents who want safe streets for their kids, of this east ender who wanted the hydro pole out of a local sidewalk. 5/
