How to Make a Request to Speak
To speak at a Standing Committee, Committee of the Whole, Durham Regional Council, or Transit Executive Committee meeting, you have to make a written request to be added to the meeting agenda. Your request should include:
- the date of the meeting you wish to speak at
- the subject matter or topic you would like to speak about
- the name of the person who will be speaking
- contact information (such as address, email and telephone number)
- any audio-visual requirements
View our Committees page for information on our various Committees. For a schedule of upcoming meetings, view our Council and Committee Meeting Calendar.
Submission Deadline:
- 12 PM (noon) on Wednesday the week prior to the meeting
If you miss the deadline and the subject matter you wish to speak to is on the Council or Committee agenda, you may submit a written request to be added to an addendum for the meeting by 12 PM (noon) the day before the meeting. If the matter you wish to speak to is not on the agenda, then your delegation request will be added to the agenda for the next meeting of the appropriate Committee.
Written requests can be submitted as follows:
- Email: delegations@durham.ca
- Mail:
Corporate Services Department
Legislative Services
605 Rossland Road East, Level 1
PO Box 623
Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3 - Fax: 905-688-9963
Note: Individuals wishing to speak to Regional Council must first appear before the Committee responsible for the matter unless the matter has been put forward directly to Council on an agenda without first being considered by a Committee.
Individuals are also encouraged to speak with Regional staff or to submit written correspondence to Regional Council or a Committee if you have an idea or concern you want to share. Written correspondence can be submitted to the Legislative Services Division.
For more information about appearing as a delegation, view Section 15.6 of the Council Procedural By-law Number 44-2018.
Additional Information
Time limits
Delegates can speak for up to five minutes. A delegation of more than five people can have two speakers, each speaking for up to five minutes. You should be prepared to answer questions. Committee and Council members will have the chance to ask questions after your delegation.
Electronic presentations
If you want to use an electronic presentation, email us a copy at least 24 hours before the meeting so that we can load it onto our audio-visual equipment. If you submit your presentation late, it might not be available for the meeting.
Written copy of delegation
Before the Committee meeting, email us a copy of your delegation. Delegations appearing before Regional Council must submit their written copy or outline at least 24 hours prior to the meeting or a 2/3rds majority vote will be required to be heard.
If you want a copy handed out at the meeting, please bring the right number of copies with you and give them to Legislative Services staff before the meeting starts. For Standing Committee meetings, we need 25 copies, for Committee of the Whole and Durham Regional Council meetings, we need 50 copies and for Transit Executive Committee meetings, we need 25.
Meetings are a public process
We live stream Standing Committee, Committee of the Whole, Durham Regional Council and Transit Executive Committee meetings. Anything you submit, including pictures, presentations or written submissions, will become part of the public agenda. Media might also be at meetings.
Collection, use and disclosure of personal information
Written information (either paper or electronic) that you send to Durham Regional Council or Committees, including home address, phone numbers and email addresses, will become part of the public record. This also includes what you say at meetings. If you have any questions about the collection of information, contact the Regional Clerk and Director of Legislative Services.
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