Canada Lands Company (CLC) operates in more than 20 towns and cities across the country, helping to create strong, vibrant and sustainable communities using surplus property that’s no longer needed by the Government of Canada.
Long before the first shovel hits the ground, CLC seeks input from municipalities and the public on the best possible re-use of each property and how it can meet the needs of local residents, both now and in the future.
Every CLC project is different and unique, the following will provide a general description of the steps CLC takes during its consultation process. These steps vary depending on the need.
Consultations
Following its acquisition of a specific property from a government department or agency, CLC seeks initial input and eventually feedback on its plans by speaking directly with local residents and the municipality through a variety of methods.
Introductory Meetings
Particularly when CLC is new to a community, CLC arranges meetings with local councillors or all of city council as well as established community and business groups. In these meetings, CLC’s provides an overview of the company and comparable projects from across the country. Such gatherings also afford the groups the opportunity to provide CLC the community’s first impressions on redevelopment considerations.
Workshops/Open Houses/Public Meetings
In certain circumstances, CLC uses open houses to give the public an opportunity to learn more about the company and how it operates. These events are usually held early in the process to gain the insight of local residents and later to provide a glimpse of CLC’s proposals for the property. This allows the company to gauge the public’s interest in further discussions.
Advisory Committees
In some cases, CLC will form an advisory committee of local residents to provide input on specific elements of a new community or project that the company is developing. In the past, these committees have played important roles in helping to define CLC’s vision for properties and ensuring that heritage and legacy issues are addressed.
Municipal Approvals Process
As a non-agent Crown corporation, CLC is subject to all municipal and provincial regulations for its developments and is required to seek all of the necessary approvals from local officials before work is started on any property. This means local residents will have a second opportunity to have their say on CLC’s project proposals during the formal public meeting phases of the municipal approval process. CLC’s consultations on projects do not replace official consultations legally required by a municipality or other level of government.
