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Carolyn Bennett, M.P. Fair Vote Canada AGM May 29,2010

Democratic Deficit: Parliamentary Reform + Electoral Reform don`t forget … Party Reform & Citizen Engagement. Carolyn Bennett, M.P. Fair Vote Canada AGM May 29,2010. Voter turnout. 1867- 1993 - average 73 - 78% 1993 69.3% 1997 67% 2000 61.2% 2004 60.9% 2006 65%

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Carolyn Bennett, M.P. Fair Vote Canada AGM May 29,2010

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  1. Democratic Deficit:Parliamentary Reform+ Electoral Reformdon`t forget… Party Reform & Citizen Engagement Carolyn Bennett, M.P. Fair Vote Canada AGM May 29,2010

  2. Voter turnout • 1867- 1993 - average 73 - 78% • 1993 69.3% • 1997 67% • 2000 61.2% • 2004 60.9% • 2006 65% • 2008 59.1%

  3. CYNICISM www.carolynbennett.ca

  4. Rx for Democratic Deficit • Democracy BETWEEN elections • Party Reform • Parliamentary Reform • Electoral Reform

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

  6. OECD Citizen as Partner 2001 • Information • Consultation • Participation www.carolynbennett.ca

  7. Democracy BETWEEN elections • 2- way accountability • ‘Assured’ listening • ‘representative’ democracy • Meaningful citizen engagement

  8. Legitimacy • Timing • ‘Assured Listening’ – EKOS • Tracking Successes / Feedback processes www.carolynbennett.ca

  9. Citizen-centred federalism • Civic efficacy • “Citizens don’t want to govern they want to be heard” Stephen Coleman

  10. Virtuous Cycle of Evidence-based Policy Research Practice Policy

  11. Research KT Practice Policy

  12. Research KT Practice Policy Political will

  13. Research Applied research KT Practice Policy Politicalwill

  14. ENGAGED CITIZENS Research Applied research KT Practice Policy Politicalwill

  15. Parliamentary reform • Legitimacy of MP’s… being heard • Committees • Non-geographic constituencies… use of technology • ‘free’ votes/party discipline • all MP’s understand their role in ‘holding government to account’

  16. Party Reform • Democratic • Good Governance Ursula Franklin • Fair • Transparent • Takes people seriously…

  17. Electoral Reform • Proportional Representation - blended • BIG country….. Geographic representatives still important • Top – up……. ‘best losers’

  18. Principles matter…. • FAIR VOTE !!! • More women elected • Parliament more representative of the face of Canada

  19. Process matters….. • Creating the case for change…..citizen engagement – present system NOT fair • Referendum • Deliberative Dialogue… exploring the options for a Made in Canada solution • Communication Plan • Legislation- Robust Parliamentary process/citizen engagement

  20. B.C. Citizens’ Assembly • Wisdom: making mistakes & learning from them • Perception : run as University tutorial • Appt of Researcher - Ken Carty • supporter of STV • dislike of political parties • Perception of ‘fait accompli’

  21. Ontario Citizen`s Assembly • Short time frame • Odd recruitment • Self-selection • Intensive wkend schedule • problem for many • No communication budget

  22. Lessons learned from Ontario • Without a more transparent/democratic process within the political parties….. Cdns won’t go for a blended system where the political parties choose the ‘topped up’ MPP’s

  23. Referenda • Swiss ….4 years minimum • California ..propositions… 6 months

  24. 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 www.carolynbennett.ca

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