Democracy between Elections

Hon. Carolyn Bennett M.D., M.P.

Liberal GTA Regional meetingJune 23, 2013

Once a family doctor, always…..

Patient as Partner

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

Patient knew their body best, Doctor knows the system best

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Political Strategy

orTool for Enhancing Democracy

Genuine Motivation

Good Politics ?

Good Policy ?

BOTH ????? YUP - Justin is a believer….

Group sourcing bright ideas !

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Tapping into expertise

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Outreach Meaningful engagement Listening Policies that reflect their priorities

PANDERING NO MORE Woody Allen was right -90% is

showing up aboriginal leadership

• “asking not telling”

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

Jane Jacobs

Attitude

GENUINE Truly believe that you get better

public policy and more relevant and responsive programs, better laws, budgets that achieve better value for money

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Objective: Good governmentUrsula Franklin

Fair Transparent Takes people seriously

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E - 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”

Stephen ColemanProfessor of e-democracy Leeds University

“People don’t want to govern they want to be heard.”

“Civic efficacy”

“Two-way accountability”www.carolynbennett.ca 12

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OECD Citizen as Partner 2001

Information

Consultation

Participation

CYNICISM

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

processes

Fighting cynicism … voter suppression

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Empowering MPsStrengthening Democracy

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

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1. MPs in the Riding:St. Paul’s Model

Newsletters Neighbourhood check-ups - 17

‘natural’ neighbourhoods 2x/yr Town Halls, Roundtables,

Parliamentary Clinics Tabulation Schools

Grade 5 – Canadian GovtGrade 10 – Civics (compulsory)

Website – interactive Facebook chat weekly Twitter #stpauls Summit – all elected reps 2x/yr

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@joshyfraser: @Carolyn_Bennett @bobraeMP why is the CPC canceling http://t.co/wiX7y5vX a useful resourceful that helps ppl find jobs, ecdev, abo orgs, etc

The Power of Social Media

Mr Speaker,

· This government has absolutely no plan to boost Aboriginal participation in the economy.· When asked about this today, the Government House Leader said it will be “decades” before we see any jobs.· Today we learned that the Conservatives are cutting the Aboriginal Job Centre, which helps link Aboriginal job seekers with actual jobs.· Yet again the govt cuts programs that work, and has no job plan for the future. · Why are Aboriginal People forced to pay the price for the incompetence of this government?

January 28,2013

2. MPs in their non – geographic constituencies

Health reform Women’s issues Disability issues Gay rights Arts and Culture

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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

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Online Summits for Citizen Engagement

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

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Information Based Site

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Consultations

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Participant Evaluation: Issue Poll

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

Key Factors for Success

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

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4. MPs in collaboration with Government

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5. MPs as Party Members

Policy Process liberal.ca Separate site for riding

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6. MP’s supporting each other internationally

Best practices in legislation

Personal support

Complementary…Interparliamentary Union, Commonwealth Policy Association etc. Maori MP checking up on Canada on Twitter

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Empowering MPsEmpowering 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 !!

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Unheld Ridings - Outreach

Outreach = meaningful engagement Go to THEIR events Annualize activities

• IWD March 8• Earth Day – April 22• National Aboriginal Day –June 21• Canada Day• Canada Food Day – Sat/Simcoe Day wknd• Remembrance Day

Unheld Ridings - activities

Neighbourhood Checkups – coffee parties

Town Hall meetings Speaker’s series Book Launches Roundtables

What an MP should be doing ……..

Unheld Ridings Local media

• Furious that government has stopped buying ads

• Pay for an ad to publicize your events• Op-eds• Letters to editor

Social media • Augment your presence locally• Show your connection to what’s

happening in Ottawa

Unheld Ridings- ‘Assured Listening’

Ideas for QP Ideas for Private Member’s Bills Feeding actions & comments of MP to

centre, critics

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

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‘Democracy between Elections’

from cynicism to effective citizenship

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

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