The Township values community input
The public may address Council at Council, Public Hearing, and Committee of the Whole Meetings as follows:
1. By addressing Council at the meeting. During the meeting, when the chair advises the meeting has reached the “public input on any items listed on the agenda” or “public comment period” stage of the agenda. Each speaker will have two minutes to address Council.
Members of the public may attend a meeting in person and provide input on agenda items when invited by the Mayor or Chair of the meeting. Speakers have two (2) minutes to provide their comments pertaining to any of the agenda items listed with the exception of any items that are or have been the subject of a Public Hearing.
In addition, members of the public are afforded the opportunity to address Council on any topic that impacts Esquimalt, excluding items which are or have been the subject of a Public Hearing, during the Public Comment Period at Council and Committee of the WHole meetings. Speakers have tow (2) minutes to provide their comments to Council.
There are alternate options available to submit input to Council, as follows:
To provide written comments to Council, please submit your correspondence via email to [email protected] by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the day of the meeting.
To provide comments to Council electronically via telephone during a meeting, please contact the Corporate Officer for scheduling at 250-414-7135 by 4:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
Meetings are streamed live on our Legistar site. See the site.
2. By applying to appear as a delegation to Council at a Committee of the Whole (COTW) meeting. An individual may appear as a delegation before Council to submit a request for action, register a complaint, or provide updates or information to Council on any issue, projects, or programs that fall within the jurisdiction of Council. Delegations are usually residents making a specific request for action to Council.
A written application must be received by the Corporate Officer at least two weeks prior to the requested Committee of the Whole meeting for consideration of scheduling. Delegations are limited to five minutes, unless a longer period is agreed to by resolution of Council.
Download an application to appear as a delegation before Council at a Committee of the Whole meeting or pick up an application from the Municipal Hall.
3. By applying to make a presentation to Council at a Committee of the Whole (COTW) meeting. An individual or organization may appear before Council to make a presentation to provide information regarding issues, projects or programs that fall within the jurisdiction of Council. Presentations are usually made by outside organizations providing information to Council or at the request of Council.
A written application must be received by the Corporate Officer at least two weeks prior to the requested Committee of the Whole meeting for consideration of scheduling. Presentations are limited to 10 minutes each and a maximum of two Presentations are scheduled per Council meeting.
Download an application to make a presentation to Council at a Committee of the Whole meeting or pick up an application from the municipal hall.
4. By written submission: email [email protected]
or c/o Corporate Officer
1229 Esquimalt Road
Esquimalt, BC V9A 3P1
250-414-7100
Submitting a petition to Council
A petition is a document addressed to Mayor and Council (or a committee) and signed by an unspecified number of individuals. In most cases, a petition is a request to provide support or opposition to a matter under debate. A petition, in order to be considered must:
Be addressed to Council (or committee)
State the request ( i.e., to support or oppose a matter) on each page of the document
Contain the printed names, addresses and signatures of the petitioners making the request; and
Note on each page of the signed petition that petitions are deemed to be public records and names and addresses are subject to public disclosure and may be published in a meeting agenda, which is posted the township’s website, if the matter is presented to Council.
Petitions should be submitted to the corporate officer (administration office, municipal hall) or emailed to [email protected].
Meeting frequently asked questions
How do I address the Mayor?
The Mayor, or his/her delegate, is the chairperson of the meeting and should be addressed as “Your Worship”.
How will I know when it is my turn to speak and how do I begin?
The Mayor will invite you to come forward to the microphone at the appropriate time. Begin by stating your name and, if applicable, the name of the company or group you are representing. If several members of a group are present, one person should be appointed to act as a spokesperson for the entire group. When addressing Council remember to keep your comments brief and confined to the topic.
How much time is assigned to address Council?
The Council Procedure Bylaw states:
- Public input speaker: 2 minutes
- Delegation: 5 minutes
- Presentation: 10 minutes
How is the agenda created?
Township staff adhere to the Council Procedure Bylaw to determine the order of business when drafting the agenda for a Council meeting. Council has the authority to amend the order of business as presented on the agenda, by resolution, at the beginning of the meeting.
How can I get a copy of the Council agenda?
A copy of the agenda is generally available after noon on the Friday prior to the Council meeting for viewing at the municipal hall or online using the Legistar site.
Where should I send late correspondence for consideration for the agenda?
Please email [email protected] or hand-deliver to the corporate officer, administration office at municipal hall by noon on the day of the meeting.