The City of Maple Ridge invites residents, businesses, and community organizations to review and share their feedback on the first draft Community Engagement Framework.
This framework outlines how the City engages with the public, ensuring that engagement is consistent, transparent, and accessible so that diverse perspectives are considered in decision-making.
"We would like to thank everyone who shared their input during Phase 1 of this process, helping us better understand how people prefer to engage with the City," said Mayor Dan Ruimy. "We now invite you to review the draft Community Engagement Framework and share your feedback to help us refine this important document and ensure it guides us in meeting the needs of our community."
About the Community Engagement Framework
The draft Community Engagement Framework is a guiding document for community input in the City’s decision-making processes. It was developed based on feedback gathered during Phase 1 community engagement, research, and established practices of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).
The Framework outlines criteria for different levels of public participation and provides clear guidance on when, how, and why the City will engage with the community. It also includes information on how decisions are made, what factors inform them, and how input from the community will be used.
Purpose of the Community Engagement Framework
- Foster collaborative and inclusive relationships with residents, businesses, and community organizations.
- Guide when, how, and why the City engages with the community, ensuring consistency, transparency, and accessibility.
- Explain how decisions are made and the factors that inform them, including engagement.
- Promote diverse and meaningful participation through clear guidelines.
- Provide staff with standardized tools, methods, and processes to deliver effective, timely, and inclusive community engagements.
Highlights from Phase 1 Engagement
During Phase 1 engagement from June to September 2024, the City connected with residents, businesses, and community organizations through surveys, in-person events, and interest-holder meetings. The goal was to understand how people receive information, how they prefer to engage with the City, and how accessibility can be improved.
Key findings from Phase 1 include:
- Over 75% of the 570 survey respondents had previously participated in an engagement, and 80% expressed satisfaction with their experience.
- Digital and online tools, such as social media and online surveys, were popular for accessing information and sharing input.
- In-person and traditional communication methods were noted as important for engagement.
- Top areas for improvement include enhanced transparency and accountability, more frequent updates through various channels, and additional engagement opportunities.
- The community emphasized the need to ensure inclusive and accessible engagements, including use of traditional methods for those with limited online access and flexible scheduling.
How to Share Your Feedback
The City is encouraging feedback from residents, businesses, and community organizations on the draft Community Engagement Framework as part of Phase 2 engagement.
Input can be provided through the following channels:
- Complete the Online Feedback Form: Share your feedback at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/Engagement-Framework by March 12, 2025.
- Send an email to Engage@MapleRidge.ca.
The feedback gathered during Phase 2 will be incorporated into the final Community Engagement Framework and the updated Corporate Communications and Engagement Policy, which will be presented to Council for formal adoption.
Alignment with Updated Corporate Communications and Engagement Policy
To support the new Community Engagement Framework, the City has also updated the City’s Corporate Communications and Engagement Policy to ensure alignment with the framework’s principles and guidelines. This updated policy reinforces the City’s commitment to consistent, transparent, and accessible communication with the public.
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Media Contact
Pardeep Purewal
T 604-466-4319 C 778-955-4249E PPurewal@MapleRidge.ca