What is Consultation?Navigation

Consultation aims to maximize opportunities for citizens to be informed, heard and considered before a decision is made. Consultation efforts range from simply responding to an official notice to being intimately involved in extensive processes over months or even years.

Consultation is a central principle in sound planning and decision-making. It allows local government, developers, community members and administrators to make informed decisions about planning issues that affect the community. Furthermore, consultation provides a unique opportunity to improve projects.

Land development projects cause change. Whether the development is good or bad, change can be upsetting. When people are informed and consulted, anxiety and concern diminish and people tend to be more receptive and open to change. Consultation gives the opportunity to enhance projects and meet community objectives. In the end, both projects and communities benefit.

Consultation is a 360 degree process. Far from linear, it may require circling back to repeat previous stages, integrating feedback and revisiting certain elements. This roundabout process requires time and effort from all players. The time invested in consultation up front, however, may save a good deal of grief and expense in the long run.

Methods, details and important consultation considerations are outlined in this section while the next chapter more specifically applies consultation to the planning context.

EFFECTIVE CONSULTATION

Effective community consultation:

  • Must start early in any decision-making process
  • Requires honesty, openness and commitment
  • Identifies major differences as well as areas of agreement, which in turn can assist in decision-making
  • Enhances relationships between local government, communities, community leagues, developers and City administration

Consultation is NOT:

  • Manipulative
  • Strictly information sharing or gathering

Consultation methods:

  • Range from discussion through to participatory decision-making
  • Vary depending on the goal and outcome
  • Should be based on input from key informants and stakeholders, who understand how best to involve those most interested in a potential decision or policy change
  • Vary in both cost and time required

Consultation can be one-off, short-term or ongoing, depending on the required outcome. Any or all of the methods outlined in this guide can be used. While information sharing and market research do not, on their own constitute consultation, they can provide useful insights, informing the overall process.