Respondents with a federal perspective report increasing public participation in planning and decision-making about legislation and government policies. With Canadian society becoming less homogeneous and its citizens better informed and more cynical about politicians and government decision-making, consultation has received more emphasis. The current government's stated commitment to more open and accountable decision-making has led it to consult citizens on key policy and legislative initiatives at both the political and bureaucratic levels. For example, at the political level, the House Finance Committee plays a key role in consulting Canadians on the annual federal budget; the recent Foreign and Defence policy reviews were both conducted by special joint committees of the House and Senate; and individual Members of Parliament have held townhall meetings in their ridings on the issue of reform of social security provisions. Within the federal bureaucracy, departments consult widely on issues as diverse as gun control legislation, health care reform, reproductive technologies and the development of the information highway. Some long-term consultation processes have become institutionalized as part of the departmental culture. For example, Foreign Affairs has used several advisory groups on international trade for ten years. Others have evolved into more independent entities, such as the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy, which reports directly to the Prime Minister on sustainable development issues. To respond to the public participation challenges facing government, the Privy Council Office, as the government-wide focal point for consultation, has issued federal consultation guidelines. It regularly brings departments together to coordinate their efforts and exchange information on best practices and techniques and provides advice on how to develop and implement consultation processes. The Canadian Centre for Management Development, another federal agency, provides consultation training programs for public servants, as well as technical support in the development and management of consultations. Departments also seek expertise and support from a wide range of external consultants. The numbers and influence of interest groups has risen in recent years, although funding cutbacks have affected their capacity to participate. Efforts are being made to balance the views of interest groups with those of the general public, either through multistakeholder processes (e.g., Canada Pension Plan review) or separate, but parallel tracks (e.g., National Forum on Health). Large-scale national public involvement programs are in disfavor because of what is seen as their limited cost-effectiveness; the trend is now to bring the issues and processes closer to the local level. Governments are increasingly challenged to "consult widely but wisely," because anything that looks like a waste of public money, including Royal Commissions (which often travel widely and hold public hearings to investigate issues and problems in government) will bring public wrath. Another observer sees pressure for increased accountability and cost-effectiveness as a positive element leading to better consultation programs. However, the quality and effectiveness of federal programs is still uneven, despite the increased numbers of technocrats and experts in these processes. The federal toolbox of techniques is expanding with information and communications technology, but a few users mistakenly seem to believe that the new technologies can substitute for a comprehensive program geared to the needs and abilities of a variety of participants; this undermines the value and credibility of consultation processes. The search for more public, as opposed to stakeholder, involvement leads to the use of plain-language materials which can be distributed through post offices and corner stores, and more locally-based initiatives such as study circles, the Internet and other outreach methods. ADR and its relatives are seen as other voluntary ways to reach common ground; however, one observer notes that, while ADR is common in the U.S., Canadians seem to prefer compromise leading to consensus. Because of the nature of federal issues, the trend is toward more consultation on legislation and policies. These are usually relatively short-term, high profile programs, but there are also many low-key, ongoing, low-profile consultations in federal departments. The current climate raises a number of challenges that include defining accountability, sharing experiences and lessons across groups and sectors, balancing listening with leadership, and balancing involvement by experts with that of the broader public. Return to Public Participation in Canada
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