More Innovative Public Engagement for Richmond

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express concern over Richmond's limited public engagement in city decision-making. While the City offers online surveys and encourages written feedback through platforms like "Let's Talk Richmond", these methods may not fully capture the diverse perspectives of our community.

In contrast, Burnaby has recently implemented a civic lottery to form a Community Assembly, as reported in Burnaby Now's article, "How this civic lottery will shape decision making in Burnaby over 25 years". This assembly, comprising 40 residents selected through a civic lottery, dedicated approximately 2,500 person-hours to develop 24 recommendations for Burnaby's Official Community Plan, setting a target of 80,000 new housing units by 2050. This approach ensures a representative sample of residents contributes to long-term planning, fostering inclusivity and shared responsibility.

Richmond's Council Strategic Plan 2022-2026 emphasizes proactive stakeholder and civic engagement to advance the city's interests. However, current engagement strategies may not fully realize this goal. This should involve more than public displays and interactions with staff. Richmond has a highly educated population, yet other than some advisory committees, the public currently has too limited a role in city decision making. The recent move towards establishing a Richmond Housing Authority is a prime opportunity to get the public involved.

I urge the City of Richmond to consider adopting innovative public engagement methods, such as civic lotteries, to involve a broader spectrum of residents in decision-making processes. Such initiatives could lead to more comprehensive and inclusive community planning, reflecting the diverse voices of our city while increasing harmony amongst differing views.

Sincerely,

Jerome Dickey