10 th Public Affairs Conference Federated Press February 14, 2012 Honourable Carolyn Bennett M.D.,M.P.

Patient as Partner Ask people what’s wrong and listen, together develop a plan Patient knew their body best, Doctor knows the system best

2+2=5

2+2=5

1998 Bill Young – Library of Parliament Robert Putnam `Democracy between Elections`….. Carol Goar

“Good public policy is developed when the policy-makers can keep in their mind’s eye the people affected.” Jane Jacobs

“Politics in Canada has always been the art of making the necessary possible. Peter C. Newman

Deciding ‘what’s necessary’….. is political

The most important tool Truly believe that you get better public policy and more relevant and responsive programs, better laws, budgets that achieve better value for money

10  Fair  Transparent  Takes people seriously

 Feminist approach  all M.B.A. schools  C.E.O. on the shop floor

from cynicism to effective citizenship “A politician’s guide to listening A citizen’s guide to being heard work in progress !!!

13  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”

“People don’t want to govern they want to be heard.” “Civic efficacy” “Two-way accountability”

“ Parliament’s role is emerging as that of a mediator between the voice of the public and government.”

“ Not the intent to circumvent, but to strengthen the role of representatives.” Douglas Alexander MP, E-commerce Minister, UK Wilton Park,

17  Information  Consultation  Participation

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION SEND AND RECEIVE

 INITIATED BY  Government  Parliament  INITATED BY  Citizen  Stakeholder group

 PMB : “Meaningful Public Consultation Act” “I’ve not been consulted until I say I’ve been consulted”  Provinces  Territories  Aboriginal  Municipalities  Stakeholders, Citizens

Government vs Parliament

 Building citizen engagement into the DNA of the organization

Government vs Parliament Who’s asking? ??? Different Questions Parliament – “What” ? Government – “ How” ?

 Idea that government presents legislation that is PERFECT is wrong  BAKED CAKE ???  Or a batter in which it’s to add less salt, sugar or more cinnamon!  Information sessions vs consultation !!!

 Culture has changed  ‘Champions’ on the government side hard to find

Timing ‘Assured Listening’ – EKOS Tracking Successes / Feedback processes

 Who  What  When  Where  Why  And HOW

 What  Why  Who  Where  When  And HOW

 WHAT  Short Term  Long Term

 WHY  Evidence  International, other jurisdictional examples  Win, win

 WHO  Minister, staff  MP’s on Committee  Other possible MP champions  Opinion leaders  Getting ‘unusual suspects’ onside  Gotta get a posse

raising our game

 WHERE  Ottawa,  Constituency

 WHEN  Have a look at the Parliamentary Schedule !  Earlier the better !!!

 IDEAS floated  Think tanks  party platform  Speech from the Throne  White Papers, Green Papers, Draft Leglislation  Bill tabled

 HOW  Tell the truth !! what will the opponents be saying ?  Prepare possible amendments  Suggest other witnesses

Do’s Endangered Species Disability Tax Credit Human Pathogens &Toxins Act Don’ts Same Sex Marriage NAC lobby Navigable Waters Assisted Human Reproduction

1. MPs in the riding 2. MPs in their non- geographic constituencies, opposition critics 3. MPs as Parliamentary committee members 4. MPs in collaboration with government 5. MPs as Political Party members 6. MP’s supporting MP’s internationally

Newsletters Neighbourhood check-ups - 17 ‘natural’ Town Halls, Roundtables, Parliamentary Clinics Tabulation Schools  Grade 5 – Canadian Government  Grade 10 – Civics (compulsory) Website – interactive Facebook chat weekly

Health reform Women’s issues Disability issues Middle – east Gay rights

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

Online Summits for Citizen Engagement

QUESTION PERIOD - June 13, 2008 Hon. Carolyn Bennett (St. Paul's, Lib.)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?Prime Minister

Question: Based on this experience, I would participate in an issue poll again.

Ongoing and active political support Tie the on-line component to the traditional off-line study Bringing all relevant partners together at the outset Adequate time for planning and development Appropriate first steps (Roundtable, Information based site, research) Pick proper tools Communications Analysis

Policy Process ? Separate site for riding association?

Best practices in legislation Personal support Complementary…IPU, CPA etc.

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

Putting the ‘poli’ into policy  Research  Policy  Practice

research practicepolicy

research practicepolicy KT

research practicepolicy KT Political Will

research practicepolicy KT Political Will Applied research

research practicepolicy KT Political Will Applied research CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT

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