When Public Engagement Fails

Throughout this course and the various blogs in which I have posted, the general tone has been strictly positive with respect to the success of community engagement and participation. Every news story I have researched has discussed the positive outcomes resulting from public consultation and the achievement of outcomes that the community fully or for the most part supported. The article I read today held a different tone, and it proved to be rather interesting.

“Activists are threatening to take Langford to court over what they say was a flawed public hearing for the south Skirt Mountain development.” (Goldstream Gazette, 2009) This was the opening line from a story on the front page of the Goldstream Gazette from last week. This article talked about the outrage that resulted from a public hearing in which the community felt their concerns were not addressed. The City of Langford wants to rezone and develop some land around Skirt Mountain; some people in the community approve of the development but some also oppose it.

The people who oppose the development felt as if there should have been a mediator at the meeting in order to maintain order. Some feel as if the Mayor of Langford interrupted certain people while they were trying to speak and that he used his position to intimidate them when they brought up points he disagreed with. The Victoria Island Community Forest Action Network (VIC FAN) has since sent a letter to the city threatening to sue if another more appropriately handled public hearing is not held.

This event shows that there can be times when simply holding a public hearing does not settle everything. There can be disagreement between sides, and it is therefore sometimes necessary to have an unbiased mediator to ensure all affected parties are heard. The City feels as if they acted appropriately while some citizens/organizations feel different. The article also noted that the City is open to schedule another public hearing to address this conflict, which shows one positive thing from this situation in that decision makers are willing to at least listen to the community when there are disagreements.

Original Article:
Hill, E. (2009). Activists demand new Skirt Mtn. public hearing. Goldstream Gazette, Victoria, BC.