TAMRMS#: B06
14.1
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Municipal Naming Policy (C-CC-05) Review
Notice given by: Councillor Biermanski
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PROPOSED MOTION(S):
recommendation
That Policy C-CC-05 is suspended until a full review of the policy is completed and revised to align with improved processes regarding community support for renaming consideration requests and that Administration provide a revised policy to SCOW by Q3 of 2026.
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ADMINISTRATION’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE INTENT OF THE MOTION
While the proposed motion refers to the suspension of the whole of Policy C-CC-05, the concern outlined is specifically regarding the Name Removal/Renaming Process contained within the policy. If the intent of the motion is to limit the scope of the suspension to that specific section, please refer to Alternative 1.
The following response will assume the suspension of the whole of the Municipal Naming Policy (C-CC-05) until a full review of the policy is completed. The Policy will be revised to align with improved processes regarding community support for renaming consideration requests and that Administration provide a revised policy to SCOW by Q3 of 2026.
ADMINISTRATION’S RECOMMENDATION
The Municipal Naming Policy (Policy C-CC-05) provides clear direction and transparency and informs Administration's naming and renaming procedures. Therefore, it is not recommended that Council support this proposed motion.
PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to present a motion for which Councillor Biermanski gave notice on March 26, 2025.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Municipal Naming Policy (C-CC-05) provides Council direction to Administration regarding all matters regarding the naming of municipal assets. This operational policy outlines standard processes for naming streets, parks, municipal buildings, and the role and the responsibilities of Administration, Council, the land development industry, and the public. It also provides criteria for honorific naming and renaming of municipal assets.
In June 2023, the Name Removal/Renaming Process was added to the Municipal Naming Policy. This update was necessary because, prior to its incorporation, name changes were undertaken in an ad-hoc manner without any public input or feedback. Whether renaming facilities to honor civic community members or removing names due to dishonorable actions, there were no established criteria or processes to facilitate these requests. Each application was taken to Council for a decision, regardless of public support or general need.
IMPACTS OF MOTION
If the motion as presented is passed, this means that Administration will suspend all elements of the Municipal Naming Policy until Council revises the policy or lifts the suspension. This suspension of policy will not impact Council's decision regarding the Grandin renaming.
Financial:
As there is no budget allocated for this motion. Administration would define the scope of a review to determine whether this work would be facilitated with limited public engagement and feedback within existing workplans or require a resource ask. Should additional funding be required from Council, a project charter would be created and presented to Council for approval, along with the associated budget.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
This motion would pause all applications for both renaming and honorific naming. While the policy would be suspended, the naming of key assets, such as streets and parks, would need to continue throughout this project. Administration would follow a general process to ensure practical application; however, this would be done in the absence of the policy or Council direction, as it would be suspended.
Organizational:
This project would require support from Administration departments including Communications and Public Affairs, Financial & Strategic Services, Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment, Information Technology, Planning and Development, Public Operations, and Recreation & Parks. This project would impact other key priority projects, resulting in delayed implementation in favour of this project.
Currently, the renaming process for Grandin is underway to support the September 1, 2025, implementation date. Administration is conducting a project debrief to determine improvements to the policy/administrative directive, based upon the Grandin renaming process. Both the implementation of the Grandin decision, the process review, and the policy update would be supported by the same departments. This additional scope would elevate the project to a key Council priority project.
Risks:
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Item aligned to Strategic Plan:
None at this time
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
N/A
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternative could be considered:
ALTERNATIVE 1: That the Name Removal/Renaming Process within Policy C-CC-05 (sections 41-50) be suspended until a review of the policy is completed and revised to align with improved processes regarding community support for naming consideration requests and that Administration provide a revised policy to SCOW by Q3 of 2026.
Suspending the name removal and renaming process will result in the halting of public renaming requests, whether for recognizing honorable achievements or addressing dishonorable actions/associated naming.
This suspension will not affect the Council's decision regarding the Grandin renaming.
Financial:
As there is no budget allocated for this motion. Administration would define the scope of a review to determine whether this work would be facilitated with limited public engagement and feedback within existing workplans or require a resource ask. Should additional funding be required from Council, a project charter would be created and presented to Council for approval, along with the associated budget.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
If Council approves this motion, a project charter would be created to outline the necessary staffing to support the project's scope and scale.
Organizational:
Currently the renaming process for Grandin is underway to support the September 1, 2025, implementation date. Administration is also conducting a project debrief to determine improvements to the policy/administration directive, based upon the Grandin renaming process. These actions are being supported by several departments, including but not limited to: Communications and Public Affairs, Financial & Strategic Services, Government/Indigenous Relations & Environment, Information Technology, Planning and Development, Public Operations, and Recreation & Parks. Some of the same departments would be needed to undertake the policy review associated with this proposed motion, in addition to completing the above-mentioned actions.
Risks
None at this time.
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Report Date; May 6, 2025
Author: Kristina Peter
Department: Planning and Development
Department Director: Planning and Development
Managing Director: Adryan Slaght
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher