Democratic Engagement and Accountability - Canadians are demanding new levels of inclusion and participation in public policy making. A long term solution to the challenges of governance and public policy must be built on citizens restoring some sense of control and efficacy. It must include processes of genuine and deep public deliberation, more avenues for citizens to participate in decision making, and greater transparency and accountability to citizens for results. In an ever changing environment, social policies and programs will continue to evolve and meet the needs of Canadians only if governments and citizens enhance their capacity to learn together. The means for achieving social policy renewal lies in strengthening policy learning and public learning .
Policy learning demands a focus on results and outcomes.
Federalism affords Canada a natural laboratory but there must be a means of capturing what works and what doesn't. Public learning requires the knowledge and opportunity to scrutinize and deliberate on policy options. Throughout the life of the Canada Assistance Plan, there were serious information and accountability gaps with regard to program results. There was also little basis for learning across jurisdictions or analysing national trends. Fall-out from jurisdictional politics, institutional self interests and blurred lines of accountability served to undermine much needed intergovernmental cooperation.