the honourable carolyn bennett, m.d., m.p. 3 rd working with ministers & parliament on...

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., M.P.3rd Working with Ministers & Parliament

on LegislationFebruary 2, 2012

“When preparing new regulations, there must be adequate consultation within government and with those likely to be affected by the proposals. This involves identifying interested and affected parties.

This session will examine the work involved in the consultation process.”

www.carolynbennett.ca 2

Engaging stakeholders on the public policy issue

Identifying key stakeholders

Ensuring consultations are open, meaningful and balanced


from cynicism to effective citizenship

“A politician’s guide to listeningA citizen’s guide to being heard

work in progress !!!www.carolynbennett.ca 4

Patient as Partner

Ask people what’s wrong and listen, together develop a plan

Patient knew their body best, Doctor knows the system best


“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


14

Fair Transparent Takes people seriously

Feminist approach

all M.B.A. schools C.E.O. on the shop floor


1998 Bill Young – Library of Parliament Robert Putnam

2+2=5Democracy between Elections…..


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


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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.”


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Information

Consultation

Participation

“Not the intent to circumvent, but to strengthen the role of representatives.”

Douglas Alexander MP, E-commerce Minister, UK

Wilton Park, 2001


Government vs Parliament


Government vs Parliament Who’s asking?

??? Different QuestionsParliament – “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


INFORMATION COMMUNICATION SEND SEND

AND RECEIVE


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

http://highrisehq.com/www.carolynbennett.ca 38

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 tabledwww.carolynbennett.ca 41

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 riding2. MPs in their non- geographic

constituencies, opposition critics3. MPs as Parliamentary committee

members4. MPs in collaboration with

government5. MPs as Political Party members6. MP’s supporting MP’s internationally


Newsletters Neighbourhood check-ups - 17

‘natural’ Town Halls, Roundtables,

Parliamentary Clinics Tabulation Schools

Grade 5 – Canadian GovernmentGrade 10 – Civics (compulsory)

Website – interactive MSN chat weekly


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


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


Online Summits for Citizen Engagement


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

practice policy


research

practice policy

KT


research

practice policy

KT

Political Will


research

practice policy

KT

Political Will

Applied researc

h


research

practice policy

KT

Political Will

Applied researc

h

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


the honourable carolyn bennett, m.d., m.p. 3 rd working with ministers & parliament on...

Documents

better public policy

public policy issue

public spaces

government vs

better laws

better value

partnerask people whats

adequate consultation