Get Involved in How Decisions Get Made in Burlington

Giving your feedback and input on Burlington projects, policies and decisions that affect the overall direction of where your city is headed is a crucial part of democracy and the democratic process.There are a number of ways you can share your thoughts and concerns with City Hall and Council, and one of them is the City’s Get Involved, Burlington platform. Get Involved is the City’s portal for projects that you can provide your input on. Participating in public engagement is important for several reasons, but especially because it helps contribute to your well-being, that of your neighbours and our whole Burlington community.Democracy and Civic Participation:Public engagement is a major piece in a healthy democracy. By actively participating in public discussions, forums, and voting, you can contribute to the decision-making processes that shape our communities. This also helps make sure the City and Council hear from a diverse range of voices and views, and that in turn leads to more inclusivity and accurate representation at City Hall. Getting engaged in the way your city makes decisions also helps give a sense of responsibility, accountability, and empowerment among our community members.Community Building and Social Connections:Public engagement plays a crucial role in building strong, connected communities. When you actively participate in local events, meetings, and initiatives, this can lead to the development of social networks, the exchange of ideas, and collaborative efforts to address the challenges we're currently facing. Strong communities are more resilient and better equipped to tackle important issues, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental concerns.Informed Decision-Making and Policy Development:Public engagement also gives a way for residents to exchange information and diverse perspectives on particular issues. When you get involved in discussions on public policies and issues, decision-makers - like your Burlington City Council - gain valuable insights into the needs and concerns of the community. This helps us make more informed decisions to, in turn, make more effective and equitable policies that better match with the sentiments and feelings of our community. This can also make your City Hall more responsive and adaptable in addressing quickly evolving challenges.Get Involved isn’t the City's only source of public input. You can also email and call City Hall at city@burlington.ca or 905-335-7777, respectively. You can reach out directly to any member of Council by email at mayor@burlington.ca, ward1@burlington.ca, ward2@burlington.ca, ward3@burlington.ca, ward4@burlington.ca, ward5@burlington.ca, and ward6@burlington.ca.In addition, you can share your feedback at public meetings, or by delegating at an upcoming committee and/or council meeting on a particular item on the agenda.Participating in public engagement is important in ensuring strong democracies and communities that, in turn, help develop well-informed policies that effect your day-to-day lives.Be sure to check out the City's Get Involved Burlington webpage and see how you can get involved and what particular topics you can provide your feedback on right now.