A proposed policy was brought forward to City Council at their last meeting on July 8th. 

This policy would look to implement specific guidelines and address several communications matters, which is why the City is opening up lines of communication with residents and is looking for people to submit their feedback on the matter. 

The following is a list of matters provided by the City of Moose Jaw regarding what they want residents to share their opinions on:  

  • Media Relations (The City shall respond to all media requests and establish a uniform procedure for working with the media that will help ensure accuracy, city-wide coordination and a timely response to meet media deadlines).
  • Public Engagement (The City of Moose Jaw often solicits feedback on civic matters and will forward that information for City Council’s use in their decision-making process. Tools used to solicit that feedback include media releases, social media, online and/or phone surveys, open house-style information sessions and City staff bringing information displays to public events).
  • Construction Communication (The City has several communications tactics available to deliver pertinent messages about construction/repairs and any related disruptions, including delivery of notices to affected properties, media releases, information posted to the City’s website and social media accounts. When construction is planned, notices shall be delivered to affected properties between 24-72 hours prior to construction beginning).
  • Social Media (The City uses its social media platforms to drive users back to MooseJaw.ca, while also utilizing social media to promote at least one “good news” story per week related to City policy, programs or personnel, inform residents of any safety concerns within the community and update residents on the latest projects/construction that could impact their daily routines.
  • Customer Service (Departments are required to follow certain guidelines when dealing with communications/inquiries (phone calls, emails, etc.) from members of the public. All inquiries from the public are to be responded to within two business days from the time the inquiry was submitted. If an inquiry requires background research in order to respond appropriately, the appropriate employee of the Department shall notify the person as soon as possible that the inquiry was received, further background research is required and that a response will be provided with an estimated date).

During their last regular meeting, various councillors expressed confusion as to what they were supposed to be doing with the item on the agenda, with one mentioning that they felt it was necessary for residents to weigh in. 

Mayor Tolmie addressed Council and attendees at the meeting, detailing why he felt it was imperative for the policy to move forward and why he thinks it's important to have it in place after a few other dignitaries responded to a statement made earlier saying if the policy goes ahead then some information may be withheld. 

"Our media outlets, they are groups that pay taxes, their livelihoods are based on this... we did not exclude and prohibit information being shared; anybody can do that. And that's what we were saying. Anybody can do that," said Mayor Tolmie. "What legitimizes a blogger from being a legitimate news source?"

Tolmie argued that the new policy would not withhold information from residents; rather, it would specify the various media outlets residents have in the city and also create a definition between sources that are mandated to tell an unbiased and true opinion on all city matters. 

"Anybody can go online and anybody can take a comment or something that's being presented in Council and they can write about it. There's no information that's being restricted that's being shared. We're in a cultural change and we've said this. We stated two weeks ago when we had a meeting. Things are going online, but the question comes down to if you have one individual, what's their policy?" Tolmie expressed. "See if I go to Discover Moose Jaw or I got to the radio station they have a policy in which they would have to retract. Other Facebook pages don't have that. It's not stated, we haven't been able to find anything like that."

He added that even though he understands everyone is entitled to hear information about our city and progress that's being made, which is why City Council meetings are open to the public, they have a responsibility to make sure proper information is getting shared and by people who are governed by policies and regulations. Niw the city is trying to make sure all those sources are accountable for the statements and stories they put out.

"If someone were to misinterpret or misinform, how do we go back to that person and say 'this is wrong' and they just shrug their shoulders and go 'well, it's freedom of press'. Who holds them accountable?"

If you would like to submit an opinion, residents are encouraged to email Craig Hemingway, Communications Manager for the City of Moose Jaw at chemingway@MooseJaw.ca before 11:59 pm on Wednesday, July 24th. 

Click here to see the full communications policy provided by the City of Moose Jaw.