Public Participation

Delegations to Council

A delegation is the term used for an individual or group who appear before Council (or an Advisory Group of Council) in order to:

• make a presentation
• enter a request for action
• bring Council up to date on a project/idea/concept
• provide further information on an issue currently before Council for a decision

Council does not hear delegations regarding planning applications that have been or will be considered at a public hearing. Please see Public Hearings below for more information.

How to Appear as a Delegation:

• Complete the online delegation request form or download the form here
• The Corporate Officer will contact you to approve your request or arrange an alternate meeting date

Requests and presentation materials must be submitted to the Corporate Services Department by 12 p.m. (noon) the Thursday before the meeting. 

How to Speak to Council:

• Speak clearly
• Keep your presentation brief and to the point (up to 15 minutes including Q&A)
• Council may ask questions for clarification. Address your answers to the Chair

Important Information:

• Bring at least ten copies of any supporting material not submitted for inclusion in the agenda package (the District cannot provide reproduction services at the meeting)
• The name of person(s) appearing as a delegation will form part of the public record and be published in the online agenda package

Public Hearings

A Public Hearing provides you with the opportunity to inform Council of your support or opposition on rezoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment applications.

• Residents within 50 metres of a proposed project are notified of the Public Hearing by mailed correspondence. A Notice of Public Hearing is also advertised in two consecutive issues of local newspapers - the Eagle Valley News and Shuswap Market News.
• The Public Hearing Notice gives a brief description of the project. Detailed information is available at the District Office.
• The purpose of the Public Hearing is to give all interested persons an opportunity to voice their concerns and support or opposition to Council on any application that is the subject of the Public Hearing.

How can I voice my opinion regarding an application?

Before the Public Hearing: 

• Mail: PO Box 219, 446 Main Street, Sicamous, BC V0E 2V0
• Fax: 250-836-4314
• Email: publicinput@sicamous.ca

Any written submissions will form part of the public record and will appear on the District’s website as part of the meeting agenda. Please do not include any personal information that you do not wish to be disclosed.

On the night of the Public Hearing:

• Anyone may make relevant comments.
• Written submissions may be filed with the Corporate Officer prior to the close of the Public Hearing.

How is a Public Hearing conducted?

• The Chair will read the Public Hearing opening statement.
• The Corporate Officer will provide a synopsis of the application.
• The Chair will open the floor for comments.
• When it’s your turn to speak, please clearly state your name and address for the record.
• After speakers have been heard, the Chair will ask three times if there are any other speakers, and if there are none, the next bylaw will be addressed or the Public Hearing adjourned.

What happens after the Public Hearing?

• The Bylaws heard at the Public Hearing will be considered by Council for Third Reading before final adoption. This may be later on in the same meeting or scheduled for a future meeting.
• When deliberating Third Reading of a bylaw, Council takes into consideration not only the information received at the Public Hearing, but also all other information provided prior to the Public Hearing, as well as the District's policies and objectives. Examples of this information include submissions from the applicant, applicant’s consultants, stakeholders’ submissions and reports from District Staff.
• Council cannot receive new information or submissions from anyone after the Public Hearing has concluded.

Council Wants to Hear From You

Input on any matter of community interest can be provided to Council in a number of ways. These include:

• In writing
• In person
• Via online attendance

In Writing
Written submissions can be provided in person at the District Offices, via mail, email or web form. Correspondence addressed to Council must include the author's name and address. Please note that any correspondence included on Meeting Agendas form part of the public record and will be available for viewing at Municipal Hall and on the District website. Personal information such as phone numbers and email addresses will be redacted (i.e. removed) from the document pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Attend a Council Meeting In Person
Beyond requesting a delegation, a person may attend any open meeting of Council and speak on any matter of community interest during the Public Input Period. Each individual speaker may have up to three minutes to address Council. 

The public portion of the meeting begins at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers located at Municipal Hall (446 Main Street)

Attend a Council Meeting Virtually
All open meetings of Council or Council Committees are streamed online via Zoom. The Public is welcome to attend and address Council virtually during the Public Input Period on any matter of community interest. Similar to in-person attendance each individual speaker may have up to three minutes. Please 'raise your hand' and wait to be acknowledged by the Chair before unmuting yourself. 

ZOOM Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84243364235