FAQs
About Engage Kitchener
- Register for a free Engage Kitchener account to get notifications of new opportunities on that site
- If you have a free My Kitchener account, add the “Engagement opportunities” widget to get those same notifications
- Subscribe to the public consultations newsfeed and the calendar on the City's website to get notifications about in-person or virtual public meetings
Who can use Engage Kitchener?
Anyone is welcome to contribute to the engagement opportunities available on Engage Kitchener. You do not need to be a Kitchener resident to take part. However, this site and its services are not intended for children under the age of 13. Youth aged 13-17 must agree to have the consent of their parent or legal guardian to register for the site.
What do I need to know before using this site?
Read the Privacy Policy to learn what personal information we collect from you, why we collect it, who has access to it, how you can update that information, and how we protect your information.
Read the Terms of Use to understand the legal terms and conditions of using the site. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of the Terms of Use, then you may not access the site or use any of its services.
Read the Forum Etiquette and Moderation Policy to learn the rules for using this site, how we moderate comments, and read some suggestions on having respectful and constructive conversation on this site.
Read the Accessibility Statement to learn about accessibility features on this site and what to do if you have difficulty using the site.
How do I register for an account?
Click “Register” at the top right-hand corner of any page on Engage Kitchener. Follow the instructions to choose a username and password, enter your email and the city you live in, and tell us which municipalities you want to hear from about engagement opportunities. You’ll get an email to confirm your email. Once confirmed, whenever you visit Engage Kitchener, click “Sign In” at the right-hand corner of the screen.
Why should I register?
Registering allows us to keep you updated on projects that matter most to you. The one-time registration is quick and easy. Also, some projects only allow registered users to take part in their discussion forums, surveys, polls, and other engagement opportunities. By registering, you will have access to all opportunities on the platform.
How can I get notified about new opportunities on Engage Kitchener?
Register for an account and opt-in to get our newsletter so you’ll be the first to know about new opportunities. If you have a MyKitchener account, you can also add the “Engagement opportunities” widget to your home page.
How are projects organized on Engage Kitchener?
There are three sections: Open for feedback, In progress, and Closed.
Projects that are Open for feedback are have engagement opportunities available for you to take part in.
Projects that are In progress are still ongoing, but do not have engagement opportunities available at this time.
Projects that are Closed are now complete and the final outcomes are described on that page.
Projects that completed six months ago or more are removed from the main page, but can be found in our Project Archive.
What happens with my feedback and input?
When you take part in an engagement opportunity on Engage Kitchener, like a survey or idea board, your responses are sent to the staff person leading that project. Your responses are combined with those from in-person activities. Together, this feedback and input will inform the project manager’s decision-making or inform a recommendation to Council who will make the final decision. Note that your responses on Engage Kitchener also become part of the public record.
How does the City advertise for public engagement?
We advertise engagement opportunities in a wide variety of ways depending on the project or initiative, using approaches that are appropriate and accessible for the residents most affected by the issue. Some projects, like construction or development projects, also have specific requirements they must follow (example: sending letters to affected residents).
Here are some ways to stay informed about engagement opportunities:
Who do I talk to if I’m having trouble using the site?
Contact support@engagementhq.com for help with any technical issues with the site.
How does the City ensure minority groups and a wide range of stakeholders are engaged?
We are committed to inclusive and equitable community engagement. Our focus is on eliminating barriers from the participation process, ensuring those who are most affected are actively included, measuring our progress through demographic data collection, and committing to ongoing relationship-building and engagement. We use a wide variety of approaches for engaging the broader community, selecting techniques based on the specifics of the issue or project at hand. For more information, please read our Community Engagement Policy.
Who do I talk to if I have a different question about Engage Kitchener or how the City engages residents?
Contact the City of Kitchener at communications@kitchener.ca
Demographic Questions FAQ
Why are we collecting socio-demographic data?
On every survey on Engage Kitchener we collect socio-demographic data like age, gender and ethnicity. Our goal is to ensure that every resident has access to the highest quality services that we can provide. The information you provide will (1) Tell us who you are, (2) Help us plan for services, (3) Help us improve access to services to particular populations if gaps are identified, and (4) Help us to engage diverse voices in decision making.
Why are you asking me about my sexual orientation, gender identity or race?
Your answers will help us understand who is using our services, and/or who we are connecting with through our community engagement efforts, and who may be missing. We know that sometimes people experience discrimination due to many different factors when it comes to service delivery and community inclusion, including sexual orientation, gender identity or racial or ethnic background. If we don’t ask, then we won’t know if discrimination or exclusion is happening, and if we don’t know who we are reaching, then we cannot develop strategies to correct any existing barriers.
Why are you asking me about my place of birth?
We want to make sure that no matter where you come from, or what your status is, you are able to access the services you need and be a part of community engagement efforts if you choose.
Why do you need to know how much money I earn? Do you report this to any agency?
No we don’t give your information to anyone. Again, knowledge about income helps us understand who is using services, who we are reaching out to, and if there is possibly a barrier due to income level. Research tells us that different income groups, especially individuals with lower income may experience poorer services or experience exclusion more than those with higher incomes. We don’t want this to happen here and we want to know if it is so that we can take steps to address it.
Are you allowed to ask me these questions?
Yes. The Ontario Human Rights Commission encourages the collection of socio-demographic data in order to promote equity and protect human rights as identified under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
What are you going to do with my information?
Your answers will be used by the City of Kitchener to provide a deeper understanding of who we are engaging, who our clients are, to help plan for services, and ensure we are providing the best services for all.
Who can see my information?
Your information has been collected anonymously, the data will only be available in aggregate form; this means that your answers will be grouped with other answers and there will be no way to identify you personally.
What if there are questions that I don’t want to answer?
You can refuse to answer any question. Each question has a “prefer not to answer” option that you may choose.