Speak at a Council meeting

We provide a 30-minute public input period at the beginning of regular Council meetings, during which you can speak to Council on any item of interest for up to three minutes.

Regular Council meetings are held in a hybrid format on the first and third Mondays of each month and agendas are posted on the Tuesday morning before the next Council meeting.

Council meetings are being held in a hybrid format with a combination of in-person and electronic participation. If you would like to speak at a meeting, either in-person or virtually, you must email the Municipal Clerk at signup@dnv.org before 3pm on the day of the meeting.

This page has information for how to:

  • Attend or speak at a Council workshop in-person or virtually
  • Provide written material to Council before you speak
  • Present a delegation
  • Conduct during meetings

Attending or speaking at a Council meeting in person

Registered in-person public input speakers will have a reserved seat while observers beyond the maximum capacity will be directed to observe the meeting online.

If you would like to sign up to speak, you must register in advance by emailing the Municipal Clerk at signup@dnv.org before 3pm on the day of the meeting. 

Any presentation material must be compatible with a Windows environment. Audio clips and videos are not supported unless through special accommodation.

Attending or speaking at a Council workshop

 If you would like to participate in a Council workshop, please email signup@dnv.org before 3pm on the day of the meeting.

Speaking virtually

To speak at a Council meeting, you are required to register in advance by emailing signup@dnv.org before 3pm on the day of the meeting. 

Here's how you can speak virtually during the meeting:

  1. The Municipal Clerk will provide you with instructions for how to connect to Zoom by email. 
  2. You will have the opportunity to have a practice session prior to the meeting to ensure you are familiar with the technology prior to your presentation.
  3. The Mayor will call your name when it is your time to speak.
  4. You will have up to three minutes to address Council
  5. Any materials you wish to leave for Council may be emailed to the Municipal Clerk.

Speaking at a Council workshop

Public input at Council workshops is limited to 10 speakers and dependent on the amount of time available. Public input is discretionary and depends on the amount of time available, which may prevent some or all from speaking.

To speak at a Council workshop, you are required to register in advance by emailing signup@dnv.org before 3pm noon on the day of the meeting. 

Speaking as a delegation

Delegations must represent an organized group, society, institution, or corporation. Individuals may not appear as a delegation.

Delegations must apply in writing to the Municipal Clerk who will schedule delegations on a regular Council meeting agenda.

Please contact signup@dnv.org for more information on appearing as a delegation.

Attending as a non-speaking observer

Attendance in the Council Chamber will be limited to 48. Registered in-person public input speakers will have a reserved seat while observers beyond the maximum capacity will be directed to observe the meeting online.

Watch the meeting live stream

Providing written material to Council

If you would like to share your thoughts in writing — rather than speak at a meeting — you can email Mayor and Council at council@dnv.org. Your letter will be circulated to them and, if appropriate, its contents will be acted upon by staff.

Conduct during Council meetings

There are a number of rules and requirements for conducting yourself during a Council meeting or workshop. Speakers’ comments are live-streamed on the DNV website and recorded for rebroadcast.

All comments are directed to the presiding member and you must address the Mayor as “Your Worship” or “Mayor Little” and councillors as “Councillor…” followed by their surname.

The public are asked to:

  • Respect the authority of the Chair and stop speaking if called to order
  • Listen quietly and respect each person’s right to voice their opinion
  • Refrain from applause or expressions of emotion, whether for or against an item, that may potentially intimidate additional speakers
  • Not otherwise disrupt the meeting or a speaker

Speakers may not:

  • Speak disrespectfully of any other person
  • Use rude or offensive language
  • Make a statement or allegation that impugns the character of any person
  • Speak or act in an aggressive, bullying or harassing manner
  • Unnecessarily delay the meeting
  • Not comment on items of a closed public hearing

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your input.