Engage Ottawa introduces new and innovative online tools to improve how the City engages with you. These online tools give you the opportunity to weigh in on the projects and initiatives that you care about, at your convenience.

Public Engagement

Public engagement refers to a range of activities that facilitate and support the contribution of ideas and insights from you. Your input will allow us to make decisions that are informed and reflective of your concerns and needs.

What public engagement does not mean is that everyone will always agree on decisions that are made within the Municipality. Ottawa is made up of a diverse population with very different interests and approaches to what Ottawa is and how to improve it. What we will do, is listen to all of those different opinions and incorporate them into the decision-making process, in a fair and balanced way.

Benefits of Public Engagement

Public Engagement provides a valuable link between Council, City staff and the community. It offers a range of benefits, including, but not limited to:

• Improving Council’s decision-making process by taking into account a greater range of perspectives, experience, and knowledge
• Ensuring that diverse voices have a place at the table
• Creating a shared purpose
• Encouraging greater community participation
• Creating a better connected and informed community
• Reducing the level of misconception or misinformation
• Identifying and addressing potential and existing concerns
• Empowering participants to take ownership of programs and initiatives
• Ensuring commitment and greater ownership of the final decision by the community