Engage Staff
Engage staff across the local government. Identify staff champions and embed the CEP into staff job descriptions
CEPs cross many departmental boundaries and consequently require early and ongoing inter-departmental coordination and collaboration. The following non-exhaustive list of local government departments should be involved in the development and implementation of the CEP.
- Land use planning
- Transportation
- Economic development
- Finance
- Chief Administrative Officer
- Engineering/public works
- Public health
- Environment/sustainability
- Communications
- Global Information Systems
- Others as needed
Engagement should take place at the senior management and junior/intermediate staff level. Table 8 provides a snapshot of how some of the actions within a CEP relate to various departments. This is intended to act as a starting point for determining which aspects of the CEP are relevant for which departments.

Table 8: Local Government Department Roles in CEP Implementation
Engaging Senior Management from All Departments
Consider the following GTI Advice on how to engage with senior staff.
Who to engage | When to engage them |
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Why engage them | How to engage them and what to focus on |
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Engaging Other Departments including but not limited to Planning, Transportation, GIS, Public Works and Parks and Recreation
Consider the following GTI Advice on how to engage with staff within the local government.
Who to engage | When to engage them |
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Why engage them | How to engage them |
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Engaging the Finance Department
Consider the following GTI Advice on how to engage with staff within the finance department.
Who to engage | When to engage them |
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Why engage them | How to engage them |
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Embed the CEP into Staff Job Descriptions
Once staff across the municipality are engaged, amend existing and new job descriptions to include CEP considerations.
Include tasks for all positions responsible for implementing local government plans, including department heads in the above-listed departments. While the level of responsibility and tasks will vary according to the position, consider the following language as a starting point:
“The incumbent performs a variety of routine and complex technical work … including supporting the development and implementation of the Community Energy Plan.”
Relevant Resources
Case Studies
Case Study 1
CEP Renewal in the City of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
The City of Yellowknife adopted a CEP in 2006. With a target year of 2014, Yellowknife aimed to reduce its corporate GHG emissions by 20 per cent and its community GHG emissions 6 per cent, based on 2004 levels. It budgeted $500,000 annually for energy efficiency, renewable energy conversions and public awareness. By February 2013, the City surpassed its target and the projects implemented now save the City an estimated $528,000 per year.76 One of the last steps initiated during the implementation of the CEP was the adoption of a renewal process for the plan. This renewal process included the development of a strategy for public and community stakeholder engagement to support the creation of a CEP for 2015-2025. Yellowknife has since embarked on a process where a new assessment of the Community’s GHG emissions will be completed and new targets will be established.
Case Study 6
Establishing a Committee of Council in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
The Community Energy Planning Committee was established by City Council on September 10, 2007, following the completion of the Community Energy Plan (CEP).79 The Committee is chaired by the Mayor and includes representatives from across the Community. The primary purpose of the Committee is to assist the City of Yellowknife in an advisory capacity to ensure the CEP is implemented and evolves in an effective manner. The scope of the Committee is to report and make recommendations to City Council through the appropriate
Case Study 7
Establishing a Governance Framework for Edmonton’s Community Energy Transition Strategy, Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton City Council formed an Energy Transition Advisory Committee.81 Committee members serve two year terms and sets out to encourage and promote the strategy, provide advice to Council regarding the implementation of the strategy and assist Council in developing performance measures.
Case Study 12
City of Yellowknife Community Energy Plan Communications Plan, Northwest Territories
The City of Yellowknife Community Energy Plan Communications Plan describes a detailed approach for engaging with the public.86 At the core of the plan, there is a recognition that in order to reduce GHG emissions across the community, Yellowknife residents and businesses must change current energy use practices. This requires a shift in awareness, attitudes and behaviour with respect to GHG emissions. The overall communication goal of the plan is to inform Yellowknife residents of changes that the City of Yellowknife will make and to implement communication programs that encourage ongoing reductions in Yellowknife GHG emissions.