Effective public engagement is crucial in urban planning and governance, particularly in projects like Ottawa's Solid Waste Master Plan (SWMP). This initiative highlights how an inclusive engagement process can build trust, ensure transparency, and encourage collaboration between city officials and residents. Ottawa’s approach, which earned them the 2023 Respect for Diversity, Inclusion, and Culture Award from IAP2 Canada, involved embracing diversity and equitable representation. This commitment allowed the community to play a significant role in reshaping the city's waste management strategies, demonstrating the profound impact of inclusivity in public policy development.

The Cornerstone of Public Engagement in Ottawa's SWMP Development

Starting in 2019, Ottawa undertook a significant overhaul of its SWMP with a clear goal: align waste management strategies with sustainability goals and community needs. Central to this initiative was creating multiple platforms for dialogue. The city launched surveys across a variety of languages, including French and English, to ensure wide accessibility and conducted virtual dialogue sessions for deeper community involvement. Focus groups specifically aimed to include voices from marginalized and equity-seeking communities, ensuring that policies reflected the diverse needs and values across Ottawa.

A Tapestry of Voices: Incorporating Diverse Community Feedback

The development of the SWMP was rooted in the principle that all community perspectives are vital. Ottawa's strategy involved extensive outreach to gather varied insights from its culturally diverse population. The city's commitment to inclusivity led to a rich collection of feedback that illuminated various community needs and aspirations, significantly shaping the final waste management strategies.

Innovative Practices and Lessons Learned

Two innovative practices stood out in Ottawa's public engagement process: tailored communication materials and the strategic use of honoraria use of multilingual content. Tailored communications ensured that complex information was accessible to all, breaking down barriers that language and technical jargon might create. Developing content in, up to, 10 languages helped to ensure no one was excluded from the opportunity and set the bar for public engagement initiatives at the City.

Adhering to IAP2 Core Values for Authentic Engagement

Ottawa’s engagement strategy was deeply aligned with the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Core Values. This alignment ensured that the engagement process was not only transparent and inclusive but also respectful and meaningful. The city’s efforts to engage diverse communities through customized communication and respectful interaction reinforced its commitment to these values, enhancing public trust and participation quality.

Impact of Inclusive Engagement on Public Trust and Policy Efficacy

The inclusive nature of Ottawa's engagement strategy has proven effective in building public trust and enhancing policy efficacy. By integrating extensive community feedback into the SWMP, Ottawa has developed waste management policies that not only meet environmental goals but also resonate with the community’s values. The new SWMP, approved by City Council in June 2024, is reflective of the input received during the engagement process. Residents and stakeholders consistently underlined the importance of the City working with the community, multi-lingual, and external partners to ensure the success of many of the actions in the Plan.

Ottawa's journey through the development of its SWMP serves as a powerful example of how cities can effectively engage with their communities to create policies that are both sustainable and widely supported. This case study illustrates the importance of inclusive public engagement in urban planning and the positive impacts it can have on both policy development and community trust.

• Access their website
• Watch their video
• View all 2023 Core Values Award Recipients