Speak Before Council

Request to make a deputation or presentation to Council

A deputation is an opportunity for a member of the public (or a group) to speak to Council or Committee directly about an issue either on an upcoming agenda, or a matter that has not been identified on an upcoming agenda.

A presentation is when Kawartha Lakes staff, an individual, or Community Organization have been invited to present information to Council or Committee typically including one of the following:

• a ceremonial presentation to or from the City of Kawartha Lakes;
• a presentation made by city staff and/or by consultants retained by the City or by another level of government;
• a presentation to or from the City that in the opinion of the Head of Council is most beneficial for all involved if heard at a Committee of the Whole Meeting.

Unless specifically identified as a Public Meeting, anyone who wants to speak at a Council, Planning Advisory, or Committee of the Whole meeting must register as a deputation to be able to speak at the meeting. There are limits to how many people can speak at a meeting (see below), however there are no limits to the number of pieces of written correspondence on a Council Agenda.

Please select from one of the options below to complete a form to register as a deputation or presentation to Council.

Online form

 Printable form

How to speak before Council:

To speak to Council or Committee on an item of business already listed on the circulated Agenda for a Regular Council, Committee of the Whole, or a Planning Advisory Committee Meeting, submit a Request for Deputation or Presentation using the forms above to the Clerk's office no later than 12:00pm, three (3) business days prior to the meeting (example: Friday at 12:00pm for meetings held on a Tuesday, or Monday at 12:00pm for meetings held on a Wednesday). If the day preceding the day of the meeting is a holiday, the written request to speak must be received no later than two (2) hours prior to the meeting time on the day of the meeting;

To speak to Council or Committee on a new item of business not listed on a circulated Agenda, you may submit a Request for Deputation or Presentation to the Clerk's office using the forms above. You will be contacted to confirm a meeting date for your deputation. Note: Any item of this nature will typically be placed on a Committee of the Whole agenda. These meetings will not result in any final decisions by Council until confirmed at the next Regular Council Meeting;

Please note:

• Five (5) deputations are permitted per Regular Council Meeting, and eight (8) deputations are permitted at a Planning Advisory Committee Meeting
• Deputations are limited to a time period of not more than five (5) minutes inclusive of all speakers;

• Deputations are limited to two speakers and only those persons listed on the Agenda will be permitted to speak;

• Any printed material, for circulation to Council, must be submitted to the Clerk's office no later than one (1) hour before to the start of the meeting;

• No printed material may be distributed by the deputation on the Council floor;

• Deputations who read from a script must provide a copy to the Clerk's office for the public record;

• If you require audio-visual equipment please contact the Clerk's office upon confirmation of your deputation, to make arrangements.

Tips for presenting at a Council meeting:

• Rules of conduct for delegations are outlined in the City's Procedural By-law;
• Limit your deputation to the time restrictions noted above;
• Highlight your key points;
• Provide additional background and supporting information in writing in advance of the meeting for Council to review;
• Be specific about what you are asking for;
• Adjust the microphone to your height and speak clearly into it;
• Introduce yourself when you are called to the podium;
• Address Council through the Chair (Mayor);
• The Chair may be addressed as Mr. Mayor or Mayor Elmslie.

All Meetings and Information Sessions are open to the public unless a resolution is passed to have a Closed Session in accordance with Section 239 of the Municipal Act, 2001.

You also have the option to submit correspondence or a petition to Council.