1. Better Regulation Through Public Engagement
Better Regulation Conference
Halifax
September
Don Lenihan
Chair in Public Engagement
Public Policy Forum

2. What do we want? Better regulation aims at:
More effective standards and regulations
Better compliance
Alignment across areas to improve efficiency and competitiveness
Continuous improvement

3. Why consult? Government doesn’t have all the expertise
Consultation promotes compliance
Harmonization and alignment are necessary to achieve key goals, like a skilled labour force

4. How does government usually consult?
What do you think we should do to solve this problem?
Takes a narrow view of the issues that creates winners and losers
Makes government secretive, defensive and unwilling to make difficult decisions
Suggests that the responsibility for success/failure lies with government alone

5. A different starting point…
Government doesn’t have all the answers
It can’t do all the heavy lifting
If we want to achieve key public goals—e.g. sustainable development—stakeholders and government must work together
Public engagement is about sharing the responsibility for achieving the goal (e.g. better regulation)

6. How a multi-stakeholder approach works
Views → Deliberation → Action → Evaluation
The Engagement Continuum

7. The on-going dialogue

8. The results A more disciplined public dialogue
Shared goals and priorities around which to plan and organize (e.g. harmonize standards and regulations)
Clarification and alignment of roles

9. The results Shared responsibility to act to achieve the goals
Trust and cooperation between the various stakeholders
On-going dialogue, and ability to adjust to changing circumstances

10. Process matters…
Public engagement is not about “giving away” government’s power
It is about exercising it differently to engage the public in solving problems together

11. The Crossing Boundaries Governance Program
Public Policy Forum
(613)