The Town of Whitby is reaching out to residents for their input on how to improve services. They are kicking off their biennial Community Survey aimed at assessing satisfaction with local programs, customer service, and communication.
Starting January 15, selected residents will receive calls from the public-opinion firm Forum Research to take part in a confidential phone survey. Those who aren’t contacted can still join the Community Survey online until Friday, February 6.
The findings from this survey will be posted on Connect Whitby later this year and will assist the town in evaluating whether it’s fulfilling its Community Strategic mission to provide services that “make a difference in the community.”
This survey launch coincided with Mayor Elizabeth Roy’s response to a Charter of Rights and Freedom case involving a resident who was told she couldn’t record her presentation at a Whitby Sustainability Committee meeting last June.
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedom took up the legal challenge after Jeanette Miller, a retired insurance broker, was informed just two minutes into her speech that audio and video recording by the public is prohibited during council and committee meetings.
The Justice Centre argues that recording and sharing public meetings is protected under section 2(b) of the Charter. “While there are limited circumstances where governments may restrict recording, an open meeting of town council is not one of them.”
Mayor Elizabeth Roy acknowledged the challenge and noted that staff have been working since May 2024 on updating the town’s procedure by-law “to make it more fair, transparent, and reflective of how our community expects local government to operate today.”
Roy mentioned that council will receive an update next month suggesting that personal devices should be allowed for recording meetings.
<p“Good governance is a key theme in Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan, and I’m proud of the progress we’re making.”
The town aims to keep conducting community surveys every two years with hopes of continually enhancing service delivery in Whitby.
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Mayor Elizabeth Roy acknowledged the challenge and noted that staff have been working since May 2024 on updating the town’s procedure by-law “to make it more fair, transparent, and reflective of how our community expects local government to operate today.”
Roy mentioned that council will receive an update next month suggesting that personal devices should be allowed for recording meetings.
<p“Good governance is a key theme in Whitby’s Community Strategic Plan, and I’m proud of the progress we’re making.”
The town aims to keep conducting community surveys every two years with hopes of continually enhancing service delivery in Whitby.
Last 30 Days: 75,671 Votes
All Time: 1,162,484 Votes
5757 VOTES
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