Public consultation is the process of seeking community input on proposed developments, policies, or decisions. For development applications, municipalities typically hold public meetings where residents can learn about proposals and express support, concerns, or suggestions. Consultation methods include open houses, online comment forms, surveys, focus groups, and formal public hearings. Provincial planning legislation often requires consultation for certain applications. The quality and timing of consultation significantly affects outcomes—early, meaningful engagement tends to produce better results than consultation held after decisions are essentially made. Effective consultation balances broad participation with managing the process efficiently.