Citizen Engagement: Better Policy Good Politics Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., M.P. February 6, 2010 L.P.C.O.

Information Communication imperative...... Send AND Receive www.carolynbennett.ca

Once a family doctor, always….. Patient as Partner Ask people what’s wrong and listen, together develop a plan Democracy between elections….. same thing www.carolynbennett.ca

Objective: Good government Ursula Franklin Fair Transparent Takes people seriously www.carolynbennett.ca

Democracy One of the cornerstones of democracy has been to provide public ‘spaces’ in which citizens can discuss ideas The web provides a new and important ‘space’ This can change the notion of “representative democracy” It distinguishes us from Stephen Harper`s autocracy www.carolynbennett.ca

OECD Citizen as Partner 2001 Information Consultation Participation www.carolynbennett.ca

Legitimacy Timing ‘Assured Listening’ – EKOS Tracking Successes / Feedback processes www.carolynbennett.ca

“Politics in Canada has always been the art of making the necessary possible ” Peter Newman Therefore …… deciding what’s necessary is political www.carolynbennett.ca

Stephen Coleman Professor of e-democracy Leeds University “People don’t want to govern they want to be heard.” “Civic efficacy” “Two-way accountability” www.carolynbennett.ca

Attitude The most important tool Truly believe that you get better public policy and more relevant and responsive programs www.carolynbennett.ca

CYNICISM www.carolynbennett.ca

Empowering MPs Strengthening Democracy MPs in the riding MPs in their non- geographic constituencies, opposition critics MPs as Parliamentary committee members MPs in collaboration with government MPs as Political Party members MP’s supporting MP’s internationally www.carolynbennett.ca

1. MPs in the Riding: St. Paul’s Model Newsletters Neighbourhood check-ups - 17 ‘natural’ Town Halls, Roundtables, Parliamentary Clinics Tabulation Schools Grade 5 – Canadian Government Grade 10 – Civics (compulsory) Website – interactive MSN chat weekly www.carolynbennett.ca

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Sundays at 9, MSN Messenger www.carolynbennett.ca

2. MPs in their non – geographic constituencies Health reform Women’s issues Disability issues Middle – east Gay rights www.carolynbennett.ca

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Critic Activities Seniors e-summit – June 12th 2008 Use technology to access non-geographic constituents Ex. Seniors Able to have grass roots discussion with Canadians across the country

E-Seniors Summit June 12, 2008 www.carolynbennett.ca

84 RECOMMENDATIONS!! Including… Framework Recommendation I: Move immediately to take steps to promote active aging and healthy aging and to combat ageism Framework Recommendation II:  Provide leadership and coordination through initiatives such as a National Integrated Care Initiative, a National Caregiver Strategy, a National Pharmacare Program, and a federal transfer to address the needs of provinces with the highest proportion of the aging population Framework Recommendation III:  Ensure the financial security of Canadians by addressing the needs of older workers, pension reform and income security reform Framework Recommendation IV:  Facilitate the desire of Canadians to age in their place of choice with adequate housing, transportation, and integrated health and social care services Framework Recommendation V:  Act immediately to implement changes for those populations groups for which it has a specific direct service responsibility, and in relation to Canada’s official language commitments

Hon. Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul's, Lib.): QUESTION PERIOD - June 13, 2008 Hon. Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul's, Lib.):       Mr. Speaker, yesterday I hosted an Internet summit so that our leader could listen to the needs of seniors from coast to coast.     Seniors were clear. There is a pressing need for affordable housing in this country, but the Conservative government is not listening. It has made zero investments in affordable housing for seniors. In fact, in 2006 the Conservatives cut $200 million that had been allocated by the Liberals.     Why does the Prime Minister not listen? Why is he denying Canadian seniors the right to live with dignity?  

3. MPs as Parliamentary Committee Members www.carolynbennett.ca

Information Based Site www.carolynbennett.ca

Consultations www.carolynbennett.ca

4. MPs in collaboration with Government www.carolynbennett.ca

5. MPs as Party Members Policy Process ? Separate site for riding association? www.carolynbennett.ca

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Change Commission… Total number of posts (En famille): 2,056 Townhalls in – person 3 Townhalls on-line 9 Regional in-person and Elluminate 6 Proposal Submissions from Members 6 Emails, phone calls too numerous to count

Leadership Race www.carolynbennett.ca

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6. MP’s supporting each other internationally Best practices in legislation Personal support Complementary…IPU, CPA etc. www.carolynbennett.ca

Empowering MPs Empowering Citizens – Why? Better public policy – unusual coalitions presenting real solutions Better legislation, better implementation Better scrutiny – what questions to ask Better relationships between citizens and their representatives Ultimate goal: a more robust democracy !!  great people will run, citizens will vote www.carolynbennett.ca

Unheld Riding With nominated candidate Without Riding President Policy Chair www.carolynbennett.ca

Unheld Riding Consultation/Outreach Ask to visit Neighbourhood Checkup/Coffee Party Geographic and non-geographic Roundtable experts, stakeholders Town Hall MP, Leader , author, notable activist etc. www.carolynbennett.ca

Roundtable in a Box Step 1. Decide to do it in your riding or with a couple of neighbouring ridings and let us know!!!! Whether you have 4 people or 40 people or 400 ….it is worth doing!!!!  Step 2. Pick a venue with high-speed access (you will need a laptop, webcam, LCD projector and a headset available for the day)  Step 3. Make a list of all possible interested parties MP’s/MPP’s Municipal/Regional Councillors and their staff Public Health Professionals, Doctors NGOs, poverty activists, environmentalists Industry Cultural and Faith-based groups  

Roundtable in a Box   Step 4. Decide if your group would like to meet ahead of time to discuss the regional issues or convene your mini-summit one hour ahead of a webcast. Step 5. Send invite…With discussion paper Working groups and leaders Step 6. 1 week before send Press advisory/release Practice demo with the elluminate software for all sites Step 7. 1 day before reconfirm with media Step 8. Have a great day!!!!

Products List Save the date Registration Form Draft Invitation Draft Media Advisory Draft Press Release Reading List Background Documents Evaluation form

On-Line Participation Elluminate

WHAT HAPPENS TO WHAT WE HEARD Report posted on website, send to attendees Recommendations/Consensus Letter to Minister/Critic Proposal in Liberal Policy process POCO Begin discussion on En Famille Write an Op-ed Start a ‘movement’ - get other opinion leaders onside Tweet, Facebook etc. www.carolynbennett.ca

It’s good for your health ! Physical and mental energy come from feeling in control of your life, having real choices, and being involved with other to find ways of organizing change for the better. Barbara Rogers www.carolynbennett.ca