City of Yorkton rolls out online communication platform to increase public engagement
The City of Yorkton wants to ensure everyone gets to have their say in its day-to-day dealings.
A new online platform, “Shape Your City” is now up and functional for the residents of Yorkton, designed to act as a line of direct communication with city officials themselves.
Mayor Mitch Hippsley said the program was developed by a member of his staff, and costs only $1,000 per month to run from the city’s end. It is free to join, and can be found on the city’s website, or by clicking here.
“The communication factor, something was missing (from the current engagement process). This is a missing piece,” said Hippsley on Tuesday.
“It's absolutely wonderful because we (city staff and officials) will be monitoring these comments that everyone's going to be asking, and (residents) can also engage in all the surveys and all of the related issues of what we're doing here at City Hall,” he said.
Upcoming city budget surveys will roll out on the platform, along with lighter discussion topics, such as the city’s ongoing Halloween Decorating Contest. For the decorating contest specifically, residents who want to enter have to apply on the platform, along with the voting processes, which will follow in early November.
For the upcoming budget surveys, City Finance Director Ashley Stradeski said it’s a “fresh look at things.”
“People can have their say and input,” he said. “We're trying to gauge what services people are happy with, which ones they're willing to cut back on, or maybe which ones they want improve services.”
Hippsley added that this new tool will ensure healthier communication, and communication that will reach those in power in Yorkton.
“(It) makes a huge impact on what we all know together,” he said.
“We're going to be watching, the residents will be watching — this is all going to happen live, all the time, so we all keep up to date with each other."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7130116.1733143331!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
U.S. Postal Service suspends accepting mail bound for Canada due to strike
The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended accepting mail headed to Canada due to the strike by Canada Post workers.
Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.
Kremlin says Trump threat to BRICS nations over U.S. dollar will backfire
The Kremlin said on Monday that any U.S. attempt to compel countries to use the dollar would backfire after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on BRICS countries if they created their own currency.
U.S. Great Lakes region gets yet more snow after a weekend of snarled Thanksgiving travel
The Great Lakes region saw new snow Monday and faced the prospect of even more this week after U.S. travellers battled harsh weather to get home after Thanksgiving, forecasters said.
'Devastating': Missing Surrey, B.C. teen found dead, family says
The family of a missing 18-year-old, who was last seen in Surrey over a month ago, says there has been a tragic end to the search.
PM Trudeau 'surprised' provinces unanimous on accelerated defence spending: Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his fellow provincial leaders are united in pushing for Canada to meet its NATO defence spending targets ahead of schedule, and that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was 'surprised' to hear it.
Elton John says he has lost his eyesight and struggles to see his new stage musical
Elton John says he struggled to watch his new musical because he has lost his eyesight after contracting an infection.
Muskoka reacts to major snowfall, Highway 11 still closed
From road closures, power outages, weather declarations and nonstop shoveling, Muskoka residents were faced with nearly a metre of persistent snowfall this weekend.
opinion Are you overpaying for subscriptions? It's time for an audit
From streaming platforms and apps to gym memberships and meal kits, subscriptions are convenient, but it's easy to overlook how much you're spending. Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew offers tips on how to audit your subscriptions to save money.