Effective communication is one of the most powerful tools in any leader’s toolkit, especially in local government. When it comes to running a city, how you communicate—both internally with city staff and externally with the residents—can determine the success or failure of policies, projects, and the overall relationship between government and the people it serves. During my time as mayor of Chestermere, I made communication a priority, believing that keeping the public informed and engaged was not only a responsibility but a way to strengthen the community’s trust in its leadership.
At its core, effective communication is about ensuring that everyone—whether they are residents, business owners, or city staff—has access to the information they need to make informed decisions. It is about making sure that the lines of dialogue between the city government and the people are open, transparent, and inclusive. As mayor, I took this principle to heart, knowing that clear and honest communication is key to creating a responsive and responsible local government.
The Power of Transparency and Accessibility
One of the first steps in improving communication within Chestermere was ensuring transparency in all of our dealings. I understood that residents wanted to be in the loop about what was happening in their city, from budget decisions to new development projects and public policy changes. To make this possible, we created an easily accessible online platform that allowed people to access city council meeting agendas, official documents, and updates about important city projects. Transparency isn’t just about making information available; it’s about making sure that people understand what is going on, why certain decisions are being made, and how those decisions will affect them.
This wasn’t just a one-way street. By making information available, we also created open channels for feedback. Residents could comment on proposed changes, ask questions, and express concerns. Whether it was through social media, email, or public forums, I worked hard to ensure that communication was a two-way process. It wasn’t just about the city government speaking at the residents; it was about listening to what they had to say and incorporating their feedback into the decision-making process.
As mayor, I made it a point to hold regular town hall meetings and community consultations. These events provided an opportunity for residents to engage with city leadership in person, ask questions, voice concerns, and even suggest new ideas. Whether the subject was a new recreational facility, a proposal for a traffic redesign, or the city’s climate action plan, these events created a platform for open discussion. Residents appreciated the ability to interact directly with me and other members of the city council in a relaxed, informal setting. It fostered a sense of community and showed people that their voices mattered.
Leveraging Technology to Reach a Broader Audience
In today’s digital age, effective communication is increasingly dependent on how well governments use technology to engage their citizens. As technology continues to evolve, so do the ways in which we communicate. When I first took office, I knew that Chestermere’s communication strategy had to reflect the changing needs of its residents, especially as more and more people began to turn to online platforms for their information.
One of the strategies we used was expanding the city’s presence on social media. While traditional methods like newsletters and bulletin boards remain valuable, social media allowed us to reach a broader and more diverse audience quickly and efficiently. We created official city accounts on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and we used these to provide real-time updates about everything from road closures to public safety issues. These platforms also became places where residents could interact with the city government directly—asking questions, giving feedback, and staying up-to-date with the latest news.
By using social media, we could engage with younger generations who are more likely to get their information online rather than through traditional media. This helped create a more inclusive approach to communication, ensuring that every demographic in the city felt informed and heard. We also used our website to host public forums and webinars, allowing for even more interaction between the government and residents. These digital platforms gave residents access to the information they needed, no matter where they were, and provided them with an easy way to participate in the conversation.
Crisis Communication: Clear Messaging in Challenging Times
A key test of any government’s communication strategy is how it handles crises. Whether it’s a natural disaster, a public health emergency, or economic turmoil, effective communication during challenging times is crucial to maintaining public trust and ensuring that residents have the information they need to stay safe and informed.
During my time as mayor, Chestermere faced several crises, including the 2013 floods, economic disruptions, and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. In each of these cases, clear, timely communication was essential to ensure that the community was well-informed and prepared. During these times, the usual channels of communication—town halls, social media, and the city website—became lifelines for residents seeking guidance and updates.
In times of crisis, the importance of transparency and honesty cannot be overstated. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, which is why a leader must ensure that the community has the facts. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked closely with public health officials to provide the latest information on safety measures, testing sites, and community resources. I held regular online updates and livestreamed press conferences, making sure that people had direct access to the latest guidelines, local regulations, and resources available to them.
Moreover, I emphasized the importance of compassion in communication during a crisis. It wasn’t just about providing the facts; it was also about acknowledging the stress and fear that residents were feeling. I made sure to communicate messages of hope, resilience, and community solidarity, reminding people that we were all in this together and that the city was doing everything possible to ensure their safety and well-being.
Creating a Collaborative Environment
While communicating to residents is essential, effective communication within city government is just as important. As mayor, I worked to create an environment where city staff, elected officials, and community leaders could collaborate effectively. This internal communication allowed us to address challenges, develop new ideas, and work together to improve the city.
Regular communication among city staff and departments helped prevent issues from falling through the cracks and ensured that everyone was on the same page. We implemented regular strategy meetings where staff could bring forward concerns, share progress updates, and discuss ways to address the city’s needs. This approach allowed us to anticipate problems before they arose and take proactive steps to resolve them.
By fostering a collaborative environment within the local government, we were able to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and provide better services to the public. The more connected and informed city staff and leaders were, the more responsive we could be to the needs of Chestermere’s residents.
The Lasting Impact of Effective Communication
In the end, the most important takeaway from my approach to communication is that it’s not just about transmitting information—it’s about building relationships. Communication is the glue that holds together a successful, thriving city. When residents feel informed, heard, and respected, they are more likely to engage with their government and contribute positively to the community.
By creating a culture of open, transparent, and accessible communication, we were able to foster trust and collaboration between the city government and the people of Chestermere. These principles not only helped us address the challenges we faced but also ensured that Chestermere was positioned for future success.
Effective communication in city governance is about empowering citizens, engaging with them in meaningful ways, and ensuring that the relationship between the people and their leaders is rooted in mutual respect and understanding. I’m proud of the work we did in Chestermere to improve communication and make local government more accessible, responsive, and connected to the needs of the community