This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document.
Snapshot a5f59763c9d1 · verified 2026-06-07 ·
original document ·
archived snapshot ·
unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.
Communications Plan
2024-2026
Introduction
3
Communications Overview
4
Goals
5
Challenges
5
Communications Methods
6
We're Here to Help
7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Communications Plan | Page 3 of 9
Recognizing the importance of transparency, the Town of Grand Bay-
Westfield hired its first Communications Manager in February 2022.
This document represents the Town's first official Communications Plan. Its
purpose is to establish a foundation of a more informed and engaged
community, stakeholders, Council, and staff - with proactive and responsive
communication that is transparent by being intentionally open and honest.
This Plan aligns directly with the Town's Strategic Plan.
INTRODUCTION
Effective, thoughtful
communications play a crucial role
in each of these priorities
succeeding - whether by building a
relationship with the community
surrounding different initiatives, or
by launching campaigns that
specifically contribute to them.
Each of these priorities will be
supported by transparent, open,
and proactive communications.
Transparency
The purpose of this Plan is to
establish a foundation of a more
informed and engaged community,
stakeholders, Council, and staff -
with proactive and responsive
communication that is transparent
by being intentionally open and
honest.
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Communications Plan | Page 4 of 9
PURPOSE
- Fostering an engaged and informed community, Council, staff, and
stakeholders
- Strengthening community partnerships
- Supporting Strategic Plan deliverables
- Increasing a positive sense of community pride
- Building a relationship between residents and the municipality
FUNCTIONS
- External communications
- Website and social media
- Internal communications
- Council support
- Community engagement
- Media relations
- Issues management
- Branding and marketing
AUDIENCES
- Residents
- Council
- Staff
- Businesses
- Community groups
- Diverse communities
- Developers and potential investors
- Media (web and radio)
COMMUNICATIONS OVERVIEW
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Communications Plan | Page 5 of 9
TRANSPARENCY
-
Increase formalized, strategic citizen engagement.
-
Develop and execute a public-facing communications engagement
process, to learn how to better communicate with residents.
STRATEGY & SUSTAINABILITY
-
Continue website enhancements, ensuring a user-friendly and efficient
experience for the Town and residents alike.
-
Continue review of branding, including signage, to ensure consistency.
-
Implement this new Communications Plan, ensuring it is used as a
framework by which Town communications strategies are developed
moving forward.
-
Provide or secure communications training of relevance for Council and
Administration, including but not necessarily limited to media relations and
crisis communications.
- Identify options to efficiently track customer service requests, creating a
streamlined and consistent process to ensure that requests are
addressed in a timely and effective manner.
GOALS
CHALLENGES
-
Capacity constraints: Department with only one staff member.
-
Budget constraints impact the ability to achieve enhanced
communications.
-
Effectively reaching target audiences.
-
Limited media coverage.
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Communications Plan | Page 6 of 9
COMMUNINCATIONS
METHODS
NEWS
www.grandbaywestfield.ca
EVENTS
www.grandbaywestfield.ca
EMERGENCY
MESSAGING
www.grandbaywestfield.ca
VIDEO
BROADCASTING
COMMUNICATIONS METHODS
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Communications Plan | Page 7 of 9
ISSUES MANAGEMENT
The first layer of crisis communications typically comes in the form of issues
management. This includes a situation that has arisen and from which there
is the potential for escalation into a larger emergent situation. However,
there is no need to execute widespread crisis communications at this time.
There's a problem that requires a strategic but light-handed approach, with
planning for communications in the event that escalation occurs.
For example, a storm warning is in effect.
RISK COMMUNICATIONS
Escalation of an event has occurred, rising the level of communications
required from issues management to risk communications. This requires a
higher level of communications output, though still not to the extent of a full
crisis. This often requires preparatory communications, in case the situation
continues to worsen.
For example, the storm is significant, and there are elements present that
could further escalate weather to the level of hurricane.
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
The elements that feed a crisis (the "risk" phase) have come together, and
you are now in crisis.
For example, a hurricane is anticipated or approaching, and a shelter-in-
place or evacuation order is required.
This flow of issue-risk-crisis is a typical path for a developing crisis, though
not all crises progress in the same manner. There are times at which an
unanticipated event results in the issues and/or risk phases being skipped,
though this is not particularly common.
CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS
WHAT IS A CRISIS?
A crisis may be anything from a
cyber-attack, or a hazardous materials
incident, to a natural disaster.
Not all emergent situations are
deemed crises, but any incident that
requires public communications
requires an appropriate level of
communications.
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Communications Plan | Page 8 of 9
HOW WILL THE TOWN HANDLE A CRISIS?
The Town of Grand Bay-Westfield is in the process of developing a Crisis
Communications Plan outlining steps and strategic messaging required for a
crisis from beginning to end.
Once implemented, relevant staff members and Council will be trained in
crisis communications, to ensure that the Plan can be effectively
implemented should an emergent situation take place.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS?
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Communications Manager and Senior
Leadership Members will be involved in crisis communications. Mayor,
Council, and additional staff may be involved with varying degrees of
responsibility, as determined by the CAO.
Depending on the nature of the emergent situation in question, it is possible
that the Town work collaboratively with partner organizations, who may have
their own spokespersons or representatives that will be involved in a
communications capacity. This may include organizations such as the fire
department, police, and municipal partners, amongst others.
TOWN'S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION
If there is a local or regional disaster, know that you are not alone. Our
Emergency Management Organization (EMO) is responsible for emergency
planning in the Town of Grand Bay-Westfield. The EMO deals with
preparedness, damage mitigation, response, and recovery in the case of a
major disaster. The EMO also promotes emergency preparedness for all
residents, organizations, and businesses.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Town of Grand Bay-Westfield Communications Plan | Page 9 of 9
THE TOWN IS ALWAYS HERE TO HELP
For any comments, questions or concerns related to Town matters, facilities,
or services, we encourage the community to contact the Town Office directly.
The Town also encourages residents to stay informed on Town news,
information and events through our official platforms which are the Town's
website at www.grandbaywestfield.ca and/or Facebook, Instagram, and X
(formerly known as Twitter).
Town Council and Planning Advisory Committee meetings can be viewed on
the Town's YouTube channel.
Residents are also reminded to register to receive alerts
in the event of emergencies, by visiting the homepage of
the Town's website.
HERE TO HELP