CIVIC ENGAGEMENT REQUIRES MORE LISTENING

As a participant at HRM’S open house on April 12 on the West End Mall Future Growth Node, I believe that it is important to relay a more complete picture of the session.

Hundreds of people showed up. The format of individuals chatting with individual HRM staff at stations around the room was not effective for gaining input on the design.

Scores of people left and those who remained were frustrated.

Many in that room were and are supportive of growth in Halifax and wanted an opportunity to provide input. Lots of these very same participants were 50 or 60 years of age.

The portrayal of participants being older and anti-development ignores the right and responsibility of civic engagement by citizens of all ages. The easy route of attaching a label to a person or group is a well-worn path that divides. Unfortunately, this has been further perpetuated in media coverage.

In preparation for the meeting, board members of the Shape Mumford Growth Society knocked on the doors of 500-plus homes in the Halifax area to chat with residents about the future growth node and the proposed development for the property.

We spoke with many 30- and 40-year-old residents. Many were young parents, who understand growth is imperative in Halifax and expressed concern about the density and design outlined in the proposal and the services, schools, etc., that will need to be put in place to support the community.

Let’s practise more listening and less labelling as we communicate so that we can learn from each other, see a more complete picture and come to more thoughtful assessments.

Dawn Burstall, Halifax