Executive Council
December 11, 2014

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement:

Minister Seeking Input on Open Government Initiative What We Heard Document

Mr. Speaker, today I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House to provide an update on the Open Government Initiative.

In March 2014, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched the Open Government Initiative, joining several other governments across Canada and 65 countries around the world in committing to the principles of transparency, accountability, participation and collaboration.

Mr. Speaker, between May and October, the Office of Public Engagement conducted 42 public engagement sessions with over 700 participants across the province and offered new ways for people to provide their input on how government can improve the way it does business.

By visiting www.open.gov.nl.ca, residents can access numerous proactive disclosures, including Orders in Council, updated access to information response timelines, and all responses to general ATIPP requests. It is also worth highlighting, Mr. Speaker, that Newfoundland and Labrador is the only province in Canada to post all completed Provincial Government responses to general ATIPP requests online.

Mr. Speaker, in the coming weeks, we will continue to invite public feedback on the What We Heard document, create innovative and useful engagement tools, and move forward to develop this province’s first open government action plan.

I encourage people to keep providing their suggestions by emailing ope@gov.nl.ca or by calling 1-877-895-8891 (toll-free).

Thank you.

2014 12 11                                   1:50 p.m.