Overview
Good Neighbour Agreements are instruments that provide communities and care facility providers an opportunity to mutually acknowledge the need to build a relationship responsive to the needs of each group. Agreements can be formally negotiated, though remain voluntary and without legally binding language. The development of such socially responsible initiatives encourages accountability and cooperation while promoting good will and mutual understanding.
In this process, The City of Calgary will help to facilitate the agreements between two parties, providing tools and guidelines to help parties begin their communication process together. Each Agreement will be unique. It requires collaboration between adaptive, creative and dedicated team members. Existing facilities without an Incident Log or Good Neighbour Agreement may wish to consider implementing these options. Improvement of the relationship with the community results in benefits on both sides of the equation.
Process
Establishing early communication with affected communities as a way to identify potential impacts and concerns is imperative when initializing a Good Neighbour Agreement. Creating and Implementing a Good Neighbour Agreement is a several step process (link to the bullets outlining a GNA) that requires the commitment of a 'stakeholders group' made up of the service provider and community representatives, as well as other interested parties. A facilitator could also be chosen to help support the process. Initially, the stakeholders group meets to discuss issues they would like resolved and mitigated within the Agreement. This early stage may also involve identification of additional stakeholders who should be brought to the table. Subsequent meetings include the formation of principles and provisions to be included with the agreement. Parties can then sign off on the agreement, and begin the process of implementing the initiatives. Agreements can be renewed on a yearly basis or as when seen appropriate.
Provisions of a Good Neighbour Agreement
Good Neighbour Agreements can include various provisions depending on the type of facility being located within the community, and the subsequent community needs. Typical provisions within such an agreement may include:
- Regular Open Houses and Community Education Events
- Regular Meetings of the Stakeholders Group
- Provision to Participate within Community Events
- Provisions for Adequate Parking
- Provisions for Control of Loitering and Management of Crowds
- Provision for Appropriate Landscape and Facility Maintenance
- Provision to Participate in Area Crime Prevention
- Provision for Identification of a Contact Person for Complaint Resolution
- Provision for Resolving Disputes and a Resolution Process
- Periodic Reviews of the Good Neighbour Agreement to Determine the Effectiveness of the Application of the Good Neighbour Provisions
Good Neighbour Agreements in Progress
Highland Park Community Association,
Thorncliffe – Greenview Community Association and
Fresh Start Addictions Centre Society Good Neighbour Agreement
In 2008, Fresh Start began working with the Highland Park Community Association and the Thorncliffe – Greenview Community Association to develop a Good Neighbours Agreement to locate in their communities. After months of open dialogue, a 
Good Neighbour Agreement was officially signed on November 12, 2009.
Calgary John Howard’s Society-Manchester
An extended stakeholder group of interested businesses and citizens received regular updates as the GNA was developed, and was invited to provide feedback. The GNA was completed in December 2011.
Related documentation
