Several members of Stand4Oxford attended the recent Rural Mayors Breakfast in Tavistock, an event promoted as an opportunity for open dialogue between municipal leaders and the public.
The format worked. It allowed attendees to ask questions directly and created a more natural exchange than a formal council meeting. That kind of access is valuable—and it’s something residents should see more often, especially in the lead-up to an election.
But access only matters if the public is truly present—and able to participate.
Multiple attendees left with the impression that the room appeared to be filled largely with municipal staff and officials, rather than residents. Whether intentional or not, that shifts the purpose and perception of the event. When public-facing conversations are dominated by those already inside the system, it raises a fair question—who is the conversation really for?
There were also clear barriers to attendance. An 8:00 a.m. weekday event, combined with a ticket cost, limits who can realistically show up. Working residents, parents, and those managing tighter schedules or budgets are effectively excluded. Even with proceeds supporting a community sign project, the structure still creates a participation threshold. If the goal is meaningful community input, those choices matter—and they signal who the space is really designed for.
The housing discussion brought these concerns into sharper focus.
One mayor indicated that approximately 140 local families are currently on a waitlist for housing within their price range. At the same time, it was acknowledged that new housing developments would be open on a first-come basis, without any priority for local residents.
That contradiction did not go unnoticed.
When a question was raised about whether a portion of new housing could be reserved for people already living in Oxford County—particularly those struggling to find stable housing—the concern was not meaningfully engaged. For those in attendance, the response came across as dismissive of a legitimate and pressing issue.
This raises a practical question about whether growth is structured around local need or broader market demand.
Beyond housing, the broader issue remains unchanged.
Oxford County sits on some of the most productive agricultural land in the province. Decisions to expand development onto that land are not minor adjustments—they are permanent trade-offs. Once farmland is gone, it is gone.
A community that cannot sustain its agricultural base is not planning for the long term.
If growth is inevitable, then priorities must be clear. Who is it for? What is being protected? And what is being lost in the process?
Events like the Rural Mayors Breakfast have potential. But if they are to be taken seriously as public engagement, they must be designed with the public in mind—not just in name, but in practice.
That means:
- Holding events at times working residents can realistically attend
- Removing unnecessary financial barriers
- Ensuring the room reflects the community—not just municipal insiders
- And, most importantly, engaging directly and respectfully with the concerns being raised
Oxford County residents are paying attention, they show up when they can, and they are asking reasonable questions about the future of their communities.
Those questions deserve more than surface-level answers.
Regardless, if you want a voice in these important local decisions, don’t assume someone else will speak for you.
Attend local meetings. Ask questions. Follow the decisions being made. And when something doesn’t add up—say so.
Because if the public isn’t in the room, or isn’t being heard when they are, then “a seat at the table” doesn’t mean very much at all.
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