Public Hearing Procedures

1. Attend the public hearing

The Chair will ask if anyone wishes to speak.
When it is your turn to speak, begin by stating your name and address clearly for the record.
Depending on turn-out at the public hearing, you may be asked by the Chair to limit your comments to 5 minutes until everyone who wishes to speak has had an opportunity to do so.
You may speak additional times after everyone has had an opportunity to speak first.

2. Provide written comments.

You can provide written representations at any time until the close of the public hearing.
You do not have to attend a public hearing to submit written comments; you can submit your comments in advance to the Regional District.
Written comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- by email to planning@cariboord.ca
- by mail to Suite D, 180 North Third Avenue, Williams Lake, BC V2G 2A4
- in person at CRD offices during office hours (use mail slot during office closures)
- at the public hearing, for in-person public hearings only (there will be a designated area for you to submit your comments)

The public hearing is run by the Chair and/or Area Director;
The Chair will open the public hearing by making an address and will briefly outline the proposal;
The Chair may ask that the applicant present their proposal;
The Chair will ask if anyone from the public wishes to speak. This is an opportunity to state whether you support or are opposed to the bylaw(s) and the reasons why. The public hearing is not meant as a venue for which to debate the merits of a proposal.
You will be asked to follow the protocol provided by the Chair at the start of the meeting. Typically, you will be asked to:
- State your name and address first, before you make your comments;
- Stand at the designated speaker's area when making your comments;
- Form a queue behind the speaker's area to wait for your opportunity to speak;
- Restrict your speaking time to 5 minutes until everyone who wishes to speak has had an opportunity to do so; and
- Be respectful of all participants (e.g. no applause or catcalls).

The Chair will ask three times if there is anyone who wishes to speak before closing the public hearing.

The date, time, and location of a public hearing will be provided in the public notice for each public hearing.
Notices are mailed to property owners within a 100 metre radius of the subject property using BC Assessment mailing data.
Information about the proposal will be provided on the CRD webpage for the proposed bylaw for public inspection. This will include all the information that will be presented at the public hearing, including public submissions and a copy of the bylaw.