At the Town of Innisfil, we welcome public participation at Council meetings. If you would like to speak or comment on an agenda item, you need to follow the appropriate procedures as per our Procedural By-law.
Participating at a Council meeting
Regular Council meetings typically start at 7 p.m. in a hybrid format (a mix of virtual and in-person participation). If you can't join us in person, you can watch the meeting on our YouTube Channel. There are three ways that you can participate: delegations, open forum, and providing comments.
Request a delegation
If you would like to participate in a meeting as a delegation, you need to complete our Delegation Request form. You can also download and fill out this printable version of the Delegation Request form and return it to the Clerk's Office. The online delegation request form becomes available one week (7 days) prior to a Regular Council Meeting. We must receive your request by the following times:
- If you're speaking on an item that is on the meeting agenda: No later than 12 p.m. on the Monday before the regular Council meeting
- If you're speaking on an item that isn't on the meeting agenda: No later than 12 p.m. on the Friday before the regular Council meeting
The delegation request form becomes unavailable after the deadline. Be sure to follow the Presentation Accessibility Guidelines if you will be showing slides while you speak at the meeting. Please provide any materials that you wish to have given to Council during your delegation to the Clerk's Office at least 48 hours before the meeting.
Once we've reviewed and confirmed your participation, you'll be able to speak for up to 10 minutes during the Council meeting.
Rules and regulations
Please make sure to follow all rules outlined in the Procedural By-law. No delegation shall:
- Speak disrespectfully of any person
- Use improper language
- Speak on a subject other than the approved topic outlined in the delegation request
- Disobey the rules of procedure or a decision of the Mayor or Chairperson
Delegations are not allowed to speak on the following items:
- An item involving current or pending litigation
- An item involving an insurance claim
- Administrative complaints that have not been reported and investigated
- Anything that is beyond the jurisdiction of Council
- An item that is contrary to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
Participate in an open forum
At the beginning of each Council meeting, we allocate time for an open forum. Participants in an open forum will have the opportunity to comment on an agenda item for up to two minutes. Please complete the Open Forum form by 4 p.m. on the Tuesday before the Council meeting if you'd like to speak. If you need to register after the deadline, please contact clerksoffice@innisfil.ca.
Comment on an agenda item
If you would like to comment on an item, please send an email to clerksoffice@innisfil.ca. We will circulate your comments to Council and any other appropriate staff before the meeting.