Opinions wanted
CBRM wants survey conducted
If you’re looking to tell the local government what you think is important, you may only have to pick up the phone.
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has requested tenders in a bid to hire a firm to conduct a phone survey of area residents.
According to CBRM procurement section documents, the successful company will undertake a household citizen phone survey that will be designed to gather information on a variety of topics relevant in the municipality.
North Sydney councillor Earlene MacMullin said the data collected is a helpful addition to other sources of information.
“It’s just another avenue to bring in public input,” said the first-term elected representative, who added that many of the calls she receives are from people who either support or oppose certain issues.
“With this, we actually reach out and ask people that normally wouldn’t participate, so we do get a more rounded response from the community.”
The information collected will then be used in conjunction with other sources of input to prioritize topics, enhance public engagement and to assist CBRM staff and council in decision-making.
The survey will include between six to 10 questions that will be developed by CBRM staff and the firm that conducts the telephone research.
CBRM communications officer Jillian Moore said the third-party canvass will include staff-suggested topics as well as budget-related questions.
“There are questions from staff about certain issues that they are trying to get public opinion on, but it’s also about the budget so we thought that instead of just doing an online survey that this would be another way to reach the population – it’s a way to engage more people.”
The last of CBRM council’s public budget consultation meetings was held on Monday. Information gleaned at those meetings will be analysed along with data from the municipality’s online survey (available on the CBRM website), the telephone survey and from private meetings with various businesses, groups and organizations as part of the preparation for the 2018-2019 CBRM budget.
The tendering process for the telephone survey closes Jan. 4, while the work is to be completed by Feb. 28.