CANADIANS MAKE THE RULES

September 25, 2010 Hon. Carolyn Bennett, M.P., M.D.LPCO Sudbury Critic for Democratic Renewal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r62RG_pZ3Ic

MANDATE AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Improving the health of Canadian democracy

Ensuring good governance practicesFairTransparent Takes people seriously

Enhance civic literacy and increase the voter turnout

NOT ONLY WHAT WE DO; BUT HOW!

THE POLITICAL URGENCY

Michael Ignatieff and Liberal Party of

Canada

Accessible Interested

Listening

Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada

Top-down governance style

Micromanaging

CONTRAST

HOT ISSUESLimit to Prime Minister`s Powers (M.Ignatieff tour stump speech)Reform of Question Period (Michael

Chong`s Motion) Abuse of prorogation ( x 2)Government muzzling of dissenting

voices (e.g. Linda Keem, Pat Strogan, KAIROS)Erosion of Parliamentary supremacy Information Secrecy (blacked out

documents, detainees)Cancelling the mandatory long-form

census

Parliamentary Reform“Minor process obstacle”

Party Reform: Implement Change Commission

Citizen EngagementCivil Society – Community Based Organizations

Individuals Electoral Reform

Important issue to Liberals in Alberta Increasing involvement, voter turnout,

civic literacy Transparency

LONG-TERM ACTION (THROUGH A GENDER LENS)

PROCESS FOR CONSULTATION Using ‘elluminate’ software, we want to bring

together Canadians with a common interest in bettering democracy from across the country.

The week of October 11-15, we will hold roundtables in:FrederictonMontrealReginaCalgaryVancouver

PROCESS FOR CONSULTATION

Additional discussions planned in: Sudbury, Winnipeg, Toronto, Kitchener, Kingston, Peterborough

En Famille, Equal Voice Where else to hold roundtables? Websites/op-

eds to consult? We are looking for feedback Weekly meeting with MPs and Senators in the

Liberal Democratic Renewal caucus Summit in Ottawa with Leader Michael

Ignatieff Practice ‘assured listening’ by documenting

posting and summarizing what we are hearing

YOUR VOICE What other issues are missing?

Thoughts, discussion on these issues?

Decide which are:Political: retail, platformGood governance

Commitments for Liberal Party