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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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Democratic Deficit:Parliamentary Reform+ Electoral Reformdon`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% • 2008 59.1%
CYNICISM www.carolynbennett.ca
Rx for Democratic Deficit • Democracy BETWEEN elections • Party Reform • Parliamentary Reform • Electoral Reform
“Good public policy is developed when the policy-makers can keep in their mind’s eye the people affected.” Jane Jacobs
OECD Citizen as Partner 2001 • Information • Consultation • Participation www.carolynbennett.ca
Democracy BETWEEN elections • 2- way accountability • ‘Assured’ listening • ‘representative’ democracy • Meaningful citizen engagement
Legitimacy • Timing • ‘Assured Listening’ – EKOS • Tracking Successes / Feedback processes www.carolynbennett.ca
Citizen-centred federalism • Civic efficacy • “Citizens don’t want to govern they want to be heard” Stephen Coleman
Virtuous Cycle of Evidence-based Policy Research Practice Policy
Research KT Practice Policy
Research KT Practice Policy Political will
Research Applied research KT Practice Policy Politicalwill
ENGAGED CITIZENS Research Applied research KT Practice Policy Politicalwill
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’
Party Reform • Democratic • Good Governance Ursula Franklin • Fair • Transparent • Takes people seriously…
Electoral Reform • Proportional Representation - blended • BIG country….. Geographic representatives still important • Top – up……. ‘best losers’
Principles matter…. • FAIR VOTE !!! • More women elected • Parliament more representative of the face of Canada
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
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’
Ontario Citizen`s Assembly • Short time frame • Odd recruitment • Self-selection • Intensive wkend schedule • problem for many • No communication budget
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
Referenda • Swiss ….4 years minimum • California ..propositions… 6 months
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