Guidance for Your Deputation

To prepare for a deputation to municipal Council, a sample is presented. It specially argues for the need of a Declaration of Principles, written by Canadians, to represent the voice of Canadians.

What is a deputation to Council?

I have presented several deputations to City Council. Each was an in-person “sales pitch” to convince City Council to take a desired action.

Recently, I listened carefully to a former two-term local Councillor who spoke of her experience during COW (Committee of the Whole) public Council meetings over her 8 years on Council. She always appeciated any deputant who was succinct and to the point because those 4-hour meetings are information intensive. They can be mentally draining, tedious and likely the leading cause of narcolepsy among municipal Councillors.

Deputations have 5-minute limits in my City.

If you read at the rate of 120 words per minute, a deputation should have about 600 words. The PDF that you submit to Council in support of your deputation can be much larger - even 10,000 words - but the same advice applies: make your arguments and proposals as clear and succinct as you can.

A declaration example.

“My purpose here today is to provide the Mayor and Councillors with a SWORD, a SHIELD and protective ARMOUR, and to suggest a MISSION to complete for the people who elected you to represent them.

Your SWORD will be your weapon to fight for the interests and priorities of your constituents.

Your SHIELD will protect you in battle as our chosen “Defender” who has sworn to protect us from harm and aggression whenever it should arise from institutions of influence and power, including from within this Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes.

Your BODY OF ARMOUR also protects YOU from harm and aggression while you carry out this Mission. We, your constituents, are your protective armour who will stand with you as you take constructive and purposeful action to defend and protect us.”

The SWORD is the MOTION described as:

“The City of Kawartha Lakes operates under specific legislation, including the Ontario Municipal Act. This framework outlines the Council's responsibilities, emphasizing administrative control, transparency, and financial integrity. The Strategic Plan, an important document, should reflect the aspirations and priorities of residents, property owners, and businesses, while avoiding undue influence from non-local special interest groups.

Constituent concerns arise regarding the current draft of the Strategic Plan. It appears inadequate in representing community interests, possibly influenced by unelected global institutions and unidentified special interest groups. This disconnect erodes confidence in governance, particularly concerning property rights, which lack clear prioritization and definition in the plan. The absence of robust property rights protection fuels public distrust and uncertainty about city services, exemplified by the contentious Rural Zoning Report.

Critics also highlight the draft Plan’d failure to address root causes of rising living costs, including excessive taxation and overregulation. These issues impact essential aspects of life such as energy, food, housing, transportation, and public services. Residents demand greater transparency in public spending and a strategic approach that preserves affordability and accessibility.

To rectify these challenges, the City needs a definitive Statement of Principles reaffirming individual rights and government duties. This statement would guide municipal actions, aligning governance with citizen expectations and minimizing misunderstandings. We propose that Council adopt this Statement of Principles as a by-law.”

The SHIELD is a DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES explained in the following statement:

“Canadians expect robust protection of their individual rights and freedoms, alongside a clear delineation of government duties. These principles emphasize autonomy, equal treatment, and the inviolability of personal rights. Governments must serve, protect, and engage transparently, ensuring citizens' rights are safeguarded while preventing undue interference. The attached Declaration of Principles is hereby  proposed to provide a clear and definitive guide for municipal decisions and actions.  It empowers the City to govern according to the expectation of Canadians who wish to live, work and play in a truly democratic society.”

Mr. Mayor and Councillors. I believe that you were sincere in your desire to serve your fellow institutents when you decided to entered politics.  Now that you have been “knighted”, will you accept your SWORD and SHIELD to go forth to carry out the following MISSION?

1. Pass a By-Law that amends the City of Kawartha Lakes Law to declare that the Ontario’s Municipal Act be provide non-binding guidance for all City actions and decisions which will be henceforth carried out according the DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES attached to this deputation.

2. More immediately, reject the City’s draft Strategic Plan until it identifies and respects the DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES as  the “voice of Canadians” and that, as elected representatives of the City’s residents, we will not ratify any strategic plan that does not conform with the principles laid out in the DECLARATION.

Meet your Defender of Canadian Principles

Though as yet unnamed, this Canadian eager beaver is prepared to wage battle against anyone who refuses Canadians a direct and significant “voice at the table” for any and all decisions and actions undertaken by public authorities and the institutions they govern.

If you choose to make a deputation on this topic, consider this Defender to be your mascot. While you’re at it, suggest an appropriate name for him.