I have recently moved back to my home town after spending two years in Calgary, AB. While I do miss the proximity to the Rockies and the convenience of the +15 pedways, I’m happy to be home with friends and family and reading my local newspaper. Why would I mention reading my local newspaper? For many of you this may sound odd but I find it interesting that while living in Calgary I never read the local newspaper and yet now I consistently read the Sherwood Park News cover to cover. I’ve shared this change with some family members, one person suggested that “maybe Sherwood Park feels more like your community”.

I had a conversation the other day with my long-time, semi-obsessive best friend about my yearning to “organize my life”.

It is election season in parts of Canada: Alberta votes for local government officials on October 18; Ontario votes for local government officials on October 25th. Some provinces recently had elections, and with a minority government, the ever-looming threat of a federal election is always on the horizon.

Recent events have compounded the lack of meaningful community engagement, deliberative process or transparency in decision making at City Hall, Ottawa, Canada. The last few years have demonstrated a disaster in civic engagement, which has been horrible to witness, and impossible not to watch.

“Help! Can you come fix this?” It’s a common plea – from organizations experiencing outrage, conflict, organized and vocal opposition and controversy. More frequently, it’s a question I get from colleagues and organizations who are themselves skilled, experienced and accomplished community engagement practitioners.