Community engagement (CE) is the process of working collaboratively with and through groups of people to enact positive action. It includes information sharing, consultation and active involvement in decision making. 
Community engagement covers a wide range of processes and government-community connections. While engagement is often led by government, engagement may also be led by the community with government support.
The level of community involvement and influence evolves over time and increases along a ‘continuum of community engagement’. Each situation requires a tailored approach to engagement.
The onus on HRM is to facilitate and support effective engagement and to clearly communicate to the public the purpose, scope and degree of decision making. It is important to recognize, however, that in a vast majority of cases the final decision rests with the elected municipal representatives – the HRM Regional Council.
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