Halton Region's first Citizens' Reference Panel meeting a success

The winter weather and early start didn’t stop the 36 members of the Halton Region Citizens’ Reference Panel from turning out for their first meeting on Saturday, January 8. In fact, the vast majority of them arrived early. The Halton Region Citizens’ Reference Panel is made up of randomly selected local residents who will work together for four Saturdays to develop informed recommendations.

The Panel’s insights, along with input from the broader community received through other public engagement opportunities, including public forums, surveys and web-based applications, will help Halton Regional Council develop its new strategic work plan and set priorities for the next four years.

Halton Regional Council’s strategic work plan will provide a framework for Regional staff in developing recommendations on fiscal, policy and operational matters and will form a foundation to effectively align the Region’s budget going forward. The progress in achieving the priorities established in the strategic work plan will be reported to Regional Council on a regular basis. The input received through the Panel, combined with further public input, will be reported to Regional Council for its consideration as it finalizes its strategic work plan this spring.

The first Panel session placed a heavy emphasis on learning. The Panellists spent the balance of the day hearing presentations about the Region and how its services are managed, financed, distributed, and maintained.
Regional Chair Gary Carr, who opened the Panel session, was extremely impressed with the depth and calibre of the questions put forward.

“I’m impressed with the seriousness and thoughtfulness with which you are approaching this work,” said Regional Chair Gary Carr. “It’s a clear indication of your commitment, and we will ensure that your recommendations are heard.”

The Panellists also learned from one another. Together, they represent a diverse group of people from across the Region including a retired farmer who moved to Milton 61 years ago, a Grade 12 physics teacher, a mother of four, and a newcomer who had made Oakville his home just 100 days earlier. It wasn’t long before they discovered that what they had in common was a keen desire to serve the community they each call home.

As one Panellist explained, “I moved here 35 years ago looking for a place to start my family, and we just love it here. To be honest, I want to learn more about the regional government. A lot of people don’t know what they’re responsible for.”

“I was really excited to get the phone call to sit on the Panel. I’m hoping to help plan for the future of my children and everybody’s children,” said a father of three.

Halton Region will host three more sessions for the Panellists in January and February, in addition to a Public Roundtable Meeting on Saturday, January 29, open to all members of the community. If you cannot attend the Public Roundtable Meeting, you can still share your thoughts with us by visiting www.halton.ca/strategicworkplan. Here you can also learn more about the Halton Region strategic work plan and opportunities to provide input.

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