A Comox councillor wants to talk about climate change with residents.
Nicole Minions made a notice of motion last Wednesday, that a town hall meeting be held on Climate Crisis and Adaptation.
She wants the meeting to be held during one of Council’s Committee of the Whole meetings in October.
The motion was not discussed.
Minions said one of her election campaign platforms was “increasing public engagement across a variety of demographics.”
“Municipal politics directly affect our residents and yet have seen lower voter turnout,” she added.
She said it’s important to engage youth, working-class, families, business owners, community groups, seniors, those on disability, and “our vulnerable population.”
One way to do that, she says, is to hold a “no agenda” forum or town hall in addition to Committee of the Whole meetings.
During these meetings, there will be informal and open conversations with residents about a specific one to two topics.
“We created our strategic plan last November and will be preparing to do so again this November 2019 with the current plan as a foundation. I see engaging with the public (as) a valuable way of checking in with our constituents and encouraging the ongoing conversation about whatever the topic,” Minions said.
“It could be sharing what we have already or listening to new ideas.”
Minions said a town hall meeting may be on something such as the town’s climate crisis declaration and how it incorporates that in its strategic goals.
“I would like to try it in our community to see the fit and how it could work here,” Minions said.
“Cumberland currently holds four per year, I believe.”
The notice of motion will be discussed at the next regular council meeting.
