Through our Community Mediation Program we work with neighbours that are experiencing conflict with each other. There is no limit to the number of neighbours who may be involved in a mediation with each other. At times we have worked with whole communities around disagreements they are experiencing.

Mediation provides an opportunity for neighbours to get to the root of what is occurring between them and to have them resolved. It is a place where all parties can be heard and have the opportunity to hear others perspectives and experiences. Often when people have the chance to understand what is causing someone to respond in a way that does not make sense to us, we can move forward toward resolving the conflict.

Prior to the mediation, we meet with the parties involved to hear about things from their perspective and explain the process. We also like to hear what it is that they would like to get out of the mediation and ideas they may have in how to solve their particular situation. If it is appropriate the mediators will move the cases forward to mediation as long as all parties are willing to participate. An agreement is often reached during the mediation which all parties receive a copy of. There is often great success with these agreements because all parties have had a role in developing it.

The City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo bylaw departments also utilize this service to help solve some of their neighbour issues.