Grand Trunk committee members have mixed feelings about their work

CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

After two years of volunteering for the ad hoc Grand Trunk renewal committee, 14 of the 19 total members (including working group members) have expressed mixed feelings about their effectiveness, as displayed in a survey presented to Stratford city council on Oct. 14.

When asked what degree of effectiveness did the committee meet its mandate, which stated that it would “provide support for and a forum for input and exchange of ideas on the renewal of the Grand Trunk building,” the lowest score of “ineffective” had 28.6 per cent of the vote (four), “somewhat effective” had 14.3 per cent (two), “moderately effective” had 28.6 per cent (four), “highly effective” had 21.4 per cent (three) and “no opinion” had 7.1 per cent (one).

Although answers were not shared for the general feedback portion of the survey, an AI summary of responses by ChatGPT, provided by the survey’s conductor, said that they reflected “deep dissatisfaction” with the process.

“Recurring concerns include overly rigid, formal meeting formats that discouraged dialogue, limited transparency (especially around consultant selection, agenda control, and sub-committee decisions) and excessive presentations that displaced genuine discussion,” the summary reads. “The working group structure was confusing, uneven, and exclusionary, while onboarding and facilities undermined participation. Positive notes include some well-run meetings, improved settings after leaving council chambers, and valuable early presentations. Outliers emphasized Indigenous engagement as a major gap. Overall, members saw process as staff- or consultant-driven, with poor planning and decision-making, and recommend more open, roundtable-style, transparent and participatory approaches.”

Ray Harsant, a member of a committee working group, addressed the survey when speaking to council about the committee’s final findings and recommendations – clarifying that the survey shared in the agenda package for that meeting wasn’t “as objectively analyzed” as the corrected version included in an addendum.

“You will see from that survey results that while there were many great things accomplished, there are significant areas of concern,” Harsant said. “And this survey is a fantastic opportunity for council and for the city to start getting it better, to start getting it really right with respect to how we move ahead and hopefully see some shovels in the ground in the next few years.”

Harsant recommended better communication – and for the committee to return.

The committee came to an end in September of this year. Although some members expressed an interest in maintaining the committee in the penultimate meeting in August, Mayor Martin Ritsma told membership that was not currently on the table, though it is an option a member of council could bring forward.

“I myself would hope that the committee could continue,” Coun. Bonnie Henderson said at the October council meeting that night. “… Sometimes you just need a committee pushing for things and reminding council of where we're at and what we're doing. … I kind of envisioned that this committee would guide us and give us ideas on what we could do, but all the information that they've gathered and the work that they've done, I would hate to lose that.”

While some would have wanted a decision on whether or not to bring the committee back, council members and staff were more focused on vision that night.

“I don't see a vision for a project of this size,” Coun. Larry McCabe said. “So I think it's time to reflect on our approach to this piece of property and possibly something where we go out with a RFP to the development community to see what they can come up with, with the project. I know that there was a lot of good information brought forward, but I'm still a little concerned at the end of two years.”

Speaking at the meeting, committee member Melanie Hare agreed in part with McCabe – there needs to be a clear vision of the project moving forward.

“To move forward with this project, it needs to be – as Coun. McCabe has mentioned – probably more focused in both form and method,” Hare said.

André Morin, chief administrative officer, said that moving forward he will be meeting with Emily Robson, corporate initiatives lead with the city, and Joani Gerber of investStratford to bring council a fulsome report of next steps, advising council and the gallery to “stay tuned.” Moreover, Ritsma reminded council that the city’s consultants, Svec Group, will be back to council with a possible vision and options for the site.