Bruce County Municipal Forum (Photo from Bruce County website)
A new municipal forum is opening the door for more collaboration between Bruce County and its municipalities.
The county hosted the forum earlier this month and invited municipal leaders and county staff to The Plex in Port Elgin to explore working together and discuss opportunities.
Bruce County CAO Christine MacDonald says, “We also want to build more shared understanding so that we can align each level of government’s responsibilities and work together on key initiatives where there is an overlapping in priorities. We also want to work towards a culture of continuous engagement.”
She says county council had previously indicated they were willing to explore working together with local municipalities.
Warden Luke Charbonneau says, “When our county and local governments work together, we are all better prepared to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities while navigating changing provincial, federal, and global landscapes.”
The forum featured a series of round-table discussions which invited attendees the share their thoughts on topics ranging from Bruce County strategic plan initiatives, reviewing the Saugeen Anishnaabek Pathway and Action Plan, as well as a presentation from the Community Development Office on housing, economic growth, and planning initiatives.
MacDonald says, “There was excellent discussion that was taking place in the room and it was obvious that there was learning that was taking place as people had a chance to network and discuss the topics at hand.”
She adds this will be a yearly event and is only the beginning of an opportunity for open discussion and dialogue.
“The item that we will consistently see ourselves presenting year after year, would be an update on our investment in local service report, which highlights the contributions that are made in terms of investments at a county levels in our two-tiered government system,” says MacDonald.
Charbonneau says this was a great step towards the co-creation of innovative solutions to better serve their communities.
“Every person in attendance brought their varying perspectives, understanding, and deep commitment to our county,” says Charbonneau. “I have no doubt that these discussions at these tables will generate great solutions for Bruce County.”