Speaking Before Council

Town Hall renovation update

• As of February 4, 2025, Council meetings will return to Lakeshore Town Hall (419 Notre Dame). Ongoing construction will have the following impact on Council meeting attendees and delegates:
  • Council Chambers will only be accessible via the northeast door off Eighth Street at the north of the building. The main entrance remains closed to the public.
  • Parking is in the north lot (Eighth Street and Lavoie Street) for Council attendees and delegates.  
  • While air quality testing returned safe results, construction dust and odour is expected. Individuals with allergies or other sensitivities may be affected. 
  • The accessible elevator will not be available until the facility returns to full operation.
  • Meetings will continue to be streamed online at Lakeshore.ca/TV

• Lakeshore asks that Council attendees and spectators abide by all posted construction signage to ensure their safety.

Request to Present at Council

Register as a delegation to attend an upcoming Council Meeting using the online Delegation Registration Form.

As an alternative, you may also contact:

Municipality of Lakeshore, Attention: Legislative Services 
419 Notre Dame Street Belle River, ON
N8L 0P8 Phone:  (519) 728-2700  Fax: (519) 728-9530

Please include your address and telephone number so that we may contact you with respect to date and time of the scheduled delegation to Council and to obtain further information.

Rules for Delegations (a person or group wishing to speak about a report or other item on the Council meeting agenda)

• Must submit written request to the Clerk by 4:30 PM on the Monday prior to the Council meeting (Delegation Registration Form)
• Registered delegates shall attend the meeting virtually by use of telephone, video or a combination of both.
• A maximum of 4 minutes shall be allotted for each delegation.
• Group presentations will be limited to 2 speakers.
• A written brief is encouraged and, if submitted to the Clerk (through the Delegation Registration Form) by 4:30 PM on the Monday preceding the Council meeting, shall be copied and distributed as delegation submissions to Council members. 
• A delegation may be refused when there has been at least one public meeting on the subject matter, or a delegation has appeared before Council on the matter within a period of 12 months.
• Any person who has not made application to the Clerk on the Monday may be heard on a 2/3 vote of Council. The delegation must be on an item listed on the agenda.
• Delegates shall:
  • respect the decorum of Council;
  • Where possible, mute their microphones while not speaking; and
  • Refrain from public outbursts, shouting, or behaviour intended to disrupt the debate, discussion and/or general proceedings of the meeting.
• Delegates shall not:
  • speak disrespectfully of any person or any member of Council;
  • use offensive words;
  • speak on any subject other than the subject for which they have received approval to address Council;
  • disobey a decision of the Chair or Council;
  • enter into a cross-debate with other members of the public, Administration, Council members or the Chair.

Rules for Public Presentations (a person or group wishing to present new items not on the Council meeting agenda)

• Must submit written request to the Clerk 30 days prior to the Council meeting providing details of presentation and any supporting materials (Delegation Registration Form)
• Subject matter must be within Council's jurisdiction.
• Registered presenters shall attend the meeting virtually by use of telephone, video or a combination of both.
• A maximum of 10 minutes shall be allotted for each registered public presentation.
• Group presentations will be limited to 2 speakers and a maximum of 15 minutes.
• A presentation may be refused if no written materials are received, if the subject matter is deemed to be beyond the jurisdiction of Council, if the issue is specific to a matter properly held in closed session, if the issue has been or is to be considered by the Committee of Adjustment or the Drainage Board, if a delegation has appeared before Council on the matter within a period of 12 months, or if the issue should be referred to Administration for action.
• Presenters shall:
  • respect the decorum of Council;
  • Where possible, mute their microphones while not speaking; and
  • Refrain from public outbursts, shouting, or behaviour intended to disrupt the debate, discussion and/or general proceedings of the meeting.
• Presenters shall not:
  • speak disrespectfully of any person or any member of Council;
  • use offensive words;
  • speak on any subject other than the subject for which they have received approval to address Council;
  • disobey a decision of the Chair or Council;
  • enter into a cross-debate with other members of the public, Administration, Council members or the Chair; or
  • appear for the sole purpose of publicly announcing a local event.