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Municipality of the District of St. Mary's
Public Participation Program & Engagement Policy
Approved- April 12th, 2021
Page 1 | 2
1. Purpose
The purpose is to establish a policy to provide ample opportunity for public participation and notification
and to ensure a proper engagement process to notify and consult with abutting municipalities for the
adoption or amendment of planning documents as required by section 204 of the Municipal Government
Act (MGA) This policy will empower the public through early involvement in the planning process and
will ensure that Council is advised of public input.
2. Authority
This policy derives its authority from section 204 of the Municipal Government Act of the Province of NS.
3. Policy
3.1
When preparing a new Municipal Planning Strategy or its implementing Land Use By-Law it shall
be the policy of Council to hold a minimum of one informal public meeting and one formal public
hearing to allow public input on the proposed documents or amendments thereto in accordance
with the requirements of the MGA.
3.2
When preparing proposed amendments to an existing Municipal Planning Strategy or its
implementing Land Use By-Law, it shall be the policy of Council to hold one or more public
meetings to allow public input on the proposed amendments thereto to allow public input on the
proposed changes in accordance with the MGA.
3.3
Notice of any public participation meeting(s) related to planning shall be published in a
newspaper circulating in the Municipality of the District of St. Mary's and municipal social media
with notices appearing a minimum of 14 days prior to the meeting. The notices shall state the
time, date and place of the meeting and the hours during which any relevant documents
pertaining to the adoption, review or amendment may be inspected by the public. Public hearing
notices shall comply with the requirements laid out in section 206 of the MGA.
3.4
The purpose of the public meeting(s) shall be to provide an opportunity for the public to
comment, make suggestions, discuss and receive information with respect to the adoption,
review or amendments to the Municipal Planning Strategy and implementing Land Use By-Law
which will be presented to the public by municipal representatives.
3.5
Members of the public may express their views, comments, and suggestions verbally or in
writing, and all interested persons shall be given the opportunity to have their views and
comments heard.
Municipality of the District of St. Mary's
Public Participation Program Policy
2 | P a g e
Approved- April 12, 2021
Amended- December 13, 2021
3.6
The public meeting(s) including the information to be presented shall be approved by Committee
of the Whole and/or Council and the views, comments and concerns of the public as expressed
at the public meeting(s) shall be considered by Committee of the Whole and/or Council prior to
proceeding with adoption of the proposed new strategy or amendments.
3.7
Amendments to a Municipal Land Use By-Law only (not policy amendments) shall be in
accordance with criteria for amending the Land Use By-Law found in the corresponding Municipal
Planning Strategy and in accordance with requirements of the MGA.
3.8
As required by section 204A of the MGA, in the case where the adoption or amendment of a
Municipal Planning Strategy is proposed, Council shall seek input from abutting municipalities
to reduce land-use conflict and increase cooperative opportunities through the following
engagement process:
3.8.1 Notify abutting municipalities of the proposed adoption or amendment to the Municipal
Planning Strategy. The notice shall provide a timeline for a response to be received in
order to be considered by Council.
3.8.2 Engagement topics with abutting municipalities will be specific to amendments that
impact Statements of Provincial Interest (as per the regulations made under Section 204A
of the MGA).
3.8.3 Comments and concerns of abutting municipalities will be considered by Council by
Committee of the Whole and/or Council prior to proceeding with adoption of the
proposed new strategy or amendments.
3.8.4 Ensure that this engagement is completed prior to the first notice for a public hearing.
3.8.5 As per section 206 (5) of the MGA, upon the publication of the first notice of the public
hearing, the clerk shall send a copy of the notice to the clerk of every municipality the
abuts an area affected by the proposed documents.
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Municipal Clerk
Date