City council is continuing its work on long-term planning for the community, with an emphasis on clarity, accountability, and staying focused on the goals set out at the start of the current term.
Councillor Kirsten Walliser explained that much of the council’s early work after the last election was directed toward building a unified vision based on what residents shared during the campaign. That vision was then turned into a strategic plan to help guide decision-making.
“When our managers are presenting projects, when the community is bringing projects to us, it’s very easy to get swayed off course, and our job is to really keep that focus in moving the community forward,” said Walliser. “It’s also about sharing that plan with the community so they can hold us accountable, but also see the transparency in what’s driving our decisions.”
Walliser noted that her motion on the matter received unanimous support from the council. She added that she would like to see the city build on the strengths of the 2021 plan, which was organized into themes and made accessible to residents.
“I really liked the 2021 plan because it was grouped into themes, but it was a simple checklist shared with the community,” she said. “The details were available, but that quick reference really kept everything in check that you could keep coming back to throughout the term.”
Walliser emphasized that presenting a clear and accessible plan helps both the council and the public track progress and ensures the council remains focused on long-term goals.