B. People and Environments: The Role of Government and Responsible Citizenship · Government and Citizenship

Having Your Say: How Governments Ask the Public

B3.5 B2.6About 40 minutes

Learning goals

I can describe different ways governments ask the public for their ideas.
I can explain why it matters that governments listen to the public.
I can read a public notice and find out how to give input.
I can write a clear, polite comment to a government.

Words to know

public input
Ideas and opinions that people share with a government before it decides something.

consultation
When a government asks people for their ideas about a plan.

public meeting
A meeting anyone can attend to learn about a plan and share their views. Also called a town hall or open house.

petition
A written request to a government, signed by many people.

referendum
A vote where all voters answer one important question.

deputation
When a member of the public speaks to a council or committee at its meeting.

Your town wants to know!

A flyer arrives at your door: "Help design the new park! Join us at the community centre on Tuesday at 7 p.m., or fill in our online survey."

The town is asking the public what they want. In a democracy, governments make better decisions when they listen to the people affected. Elections are one way people have a say, but they happen only every few years. Governments also use many other ways to gather public input.

A green town park with shade trees, a bench, a curving path and a bare patch of ground marked out with stakes. — Before building something new in a park, a town can ask residents what they want through public meetings and surveys. AI-generated image

Way to get public input	How it works	Example
Elections	Voters choose representatives every few years	Ontario's municipal election, Monday, October 26, 2026
Public meetings, town halls and open houses	People come to learn about a plan, ask questions and give ideas	A city shows drawings of a new library and asks for comments
Surveys (online or paper)	People answer questions about a plan	"Which playground equipment do you want?"
Comment periods	A plan is posted and people send written comments before a deadline	Ontario posts environmental proposals on the Environmental Registry of Ontario for public comment
Deputations and committee hearings	People speak to a council or a committee of MPs or MPPs	A student speaks to council about a bike lane
Petitions	Many people sign a request; the government receives it and may respond	A petition to Parliament or to Ontario's Legislative Assembly
Referendums	All voters vote on one important question	In 2007, Ontario voters were asked whether to change how MPPs are elected (most voters chose to keep the current system)
Advisory groups	A group of residents gives advice on a topic	A youth advisory council or an accessibility advisory committee

Some processes governments use to ask for public input.

Ontario's municipal elections happen every four years (2022, then 2026). Between elections, people can still have a say through surveys, meetings, petitions and more.

Why ask the public?

Better ideas. People who live with a problem often know the most about it.
Fairness. People affected by a decision deserve to be heard.
Trust. When people help shape a plan, they are more likely to support it.
Finding problems early. Someone may notice a problem the planners missed, like a path that floods every spring.

Asking for input doesn't mean the government will do what every person wants. People often disagree! But listening helps governments understand different perspectives and make a more balanced decision.

Inclusive input

Good consultations make it easy for everyone to take part: meetings in accessible buildings, information in different languages, online and paper options, and times that work for families. Governments also have a special duty to consult First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities about some decisions. That is the next lesson!

Worked example

Let's read a public notice

Notice from the Town of Maple Creek: "The Town is planning to add a bike lane on Elm Street. See the plan at an open house on Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6–8 p.m., at the library. Can't come? Complete the online survey or e-mail comments by November 30, 2026. Council will vote in December." (Maple Creek is a pretend town.)

What is the plan? A bike lane on Elm Street.
How can people give input? Three ways: the open house, an online survey, or an e-mail.
What is the deadline? November 30, 2026.
Who decides? The town council, with a vote in December, after it hears from the public.

The town is consulting the public using an open house, a survey and written comments, before council decides.

The bike lane notice as a timeline: open house on November 12, comments due November 30, and council votes in December.

Worked example

Let's write a good comment

Write a short comment about the bike lane plan.

Say who you are (no need for your full address): "I am a Grade 5 student who lives near Elm Street."
Give your view clearly: "I support the bike lane."
Give reasons or evidence: "I see many kids biking to school on Elm Street, and cars go fast there."
Suggest something: "Please add a crosswalk at the school."
Be polite: "Thank you for asking for our ideas."

A strong comment is clear, polite, gives reasons, and makes a suggestion.

Just for fun

Why did the survey get invited to every party?

It always wanted to hear everyone's opinion... especially about the snacks.

Hands-on activity

Have your say

With a grown-up, visit your municipality's website and look for a page called something like "Have your say", "Get involved" or "Public consultations".

Pick one plan that interests you (a park, a road, a library, a climate plan...).
Find out: What is the plan? How can people give input? What is the deadline? Who will decide?
Write a 4- or 5-sentence comment using the steps in the example above.
With your grown-up's permission, send it, or read it aloud to your family.

No current consultation? Run your own! Make a 3-question survey about a family decision (like what to plant in the garden next spring), ask everyone at home, and report the results.

Your turn

What is public input?

Name three ways governments ask for public input.

What is a referendum?

What is a petition?

Give one reason governments ask the public for ideas.

What are the three parts of a strong comment to a government?

More practice: warm-up

Which is the main way adults choose their representatives?

What is a town hall or open house?

Where does Ontario post environmental proposals for public comment?

What is a deputation?

Can kids answer a town's online survey?

More practice: on your own

Why might a town offer both an open house and an online survey?

If a government asks for input, does it have to do what most people say? Explain.

Give an example of a decision that would be good for a referendum, and one that would not.

How does an advisory group, like a youth council, help a government?

What is the difference between a petition and a survey?

Challenge

A city holds one public meeting about a new road, at 2 p.m. on a weekday, in a building with only stairs. What problems do you see, and how could it be improved?

Why might a government's decision be stronger if many different groups gave input?

Think about the 2007 Ontario referendum. Why do you think the government asked all voters instead of just deciding itself?

Check your understanding

Quiz

Which is a way governments ask for public input?

What is a referendum?

Which comment is most helpful to a town?

Why do governments ask for public input?

A group of people sign a request asking the province to protect a forest. This is a...

Which makes a consultation more inclusive?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: Besides elections, governments gather public input through meetings, surveys, comment periods, deputations, petitions, referendums and advisory groups. Listening leads to better, fairer and more trusted decisions.

How to help at home:

Look at your municipality's "Get involved" page together; many towns welcome comments from young residents.
If you attend a public meeting or vote, bring your child and talk about what happened.
Help your child write a polite comment with a reason and a suggestion. Keep personal information (full name, address, school) private unless you choose to share it.

Common difficulties:

Thinking input means the government must do what you ask. It must listen and consider; it may still decide differently.
Confusing petitions and surveys: who is asking whom?