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

2. Information Communication
imperative......
Send
AND
Receive

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

4. Objective: Good government Ursula Franklin
Fair
Transparent
Takes people seriously

5. 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

6. OECD Citizen as Partner 2001
Information
Consultation
Participation

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

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

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

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

11. CYNICISM

12. 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

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

18. Sundays at 9, MSN Messenger

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

21. 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

22. E-Seniors Summit June 12, 2008

24. 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

25. 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?

26. 3. MPs as Parliamentary Committee Members

27. Information Based Site

28. Consultations

29. 4. MPs in collaboration with Government

31. 5. MPs as Party Members Policy Process ?
Separate site for riding association?

34. 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 s, phone calls too numerous to count

35. Leadership Race

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

40. 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

41. Unheld Riding With nominated candidate Without Riding President
Policy Chair

42. 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.

43. 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

44. 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 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!!!!

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

46. On-Line Participation Elluminate

47. 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.

48. 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