Register to speak at a council meeting
If you’d like to speak at a council meeting about an item on the public agenda, you can register as a delegation. Please register in advance.
On this page:
Register in advance
To speak at a council meeting, you must register in advance, except when a public discussion period is already part of the meeting.
- registration closes at 10 a.m. on the Monday of the meeting
- if you register by Friday at 10 a.m., you get 10 minutes to speak
- if you register after Friday and before Monday at 10 a.m., you get 5 minutes to speak
Check the council calendar to find the next meeting date.
If you can’t attend in person, you can:
- ask someone to speak on your behalf by emailing written authorization to clerkinfo@waterloo.ca
- email written comments to clerkinfo@waterloo.ca – these will shared with the Mayor, Council and senior staff, and become part of the public record
How to register
Register online, by email, or in person:
- online: use the apply as a delegation form
- email: send your name, contact information, meeting date and topic to clerkinfo@waterloo.ca
- in person: visit the Legislative Services counter on the 3rd floor of City Hall
If you plan to use presentation materials like a PowerPoint or a handout, upload or email them before the meeting so staff can prepare them for display.
What to expect when you speak
When it’s your turn to speak:
- the Chair will call your name and invite you to the podium.
- if you sent a presentation in advance, staff will display it for you
- start by addressing “the Mayor and members of Council”
- speak clearly and stay within your allotted time.
- councillors may ask you questions after you finish
When questions are done, the Chair will thank you and invite you to return to your seat.
Before you speak:
- choose one spokesperson if you're part of a group
- bring notes if you need them
- keep comments respectful and focused on the issue
Learn more about how council meetings are structured and how decisions are made on the How council meetings work page.
Contact us
Contact us with any questions about registering or speaking at a meeting:
- call 519-747-8549
- email clerkinfo@waterloo.ca
- visit Legislative Services on the 3rd floor of City Hall
- open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.