Executive Council
 August 15, 2014

Engaging and Connecting with Residents

Public Input Sought on Open Government Initiative

The Provincial Government today announced the schedule of public engagement sessions for the Open Government Initiative. Launched in March, the initiative’s early focus has featured online engagement and stakeholder sessions designed to improve access to information and data, as well as provide people with new opportunities to shape policy and decision-making in government.

“We believe in the value of asking the people of the province for their input to assist us in making important decisions regarding the programs, policies and services that affect their daily lives. By encouraging meaningful discussions across the province through the upcoming Open Government engagement sessions, we will ask how the Provincial Government can strengthen collaboration across all sectors, provide higher quality data and information, and help residents of Newfoundland and Labrador share their ideas and insights.”
- The Honourable Tom Marshall, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Public engagement sessions will begin on September 8 and will be held in nine locations across the province. A complete schedule for the sessions is provided in the backgrounder below.

Approximately 420 people have participated in the Open Government Initiative stakeholder sessions to date, including Rural Secretariat Regional Councils, business, community groups, municipalities, Memorial University, College of the North Atlantic, and Provincial Government employees in St. John’s, Clarenville, Gander, Corner Brook and Grand Falls-Windsor. Input received from these sessions is posted online at //www.open.gov.nl.ca.

As part of the engagement process to inform Newfoundland and Labrador’s first Open Government Action Plan, residents are also encouraged to participate in two new online questionnaires. Completed questionnaires should be submitted by August 31, 2014.

“Since launching the Open Government Initiative, the Office of Public Engagement has worked closely with government departments to release more information, post proactive disclosures on our Open Government webpage and improve timelines for responding to requests for information. Now, through the upcoming public engagement sessions and online questionnaires, there is a tremendous opportunity for people across the province to have their say.”
- The Honourable Sandy Collins, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement

To register or learn more about the upcoming public engagement sessions, please visit //www.open.gov.nl.ca, email ope@gov.nl.ca, or call 1-877-895-8891 (toll-free).

QUICK FACTS
  • The Provincial Government today announced upcoming province-wide public engagement sessions beginning September 8.
  • A complete schedule for the sessions is provided in the backgrounder below.
  • To develop an Open Government Action Plan, the Provincial Government has committed to involving residents through a comprehensive public engagement process.
  • As part of the engagement process, residents are also encouraged to participate in two online questionnaires.
  • Join in the conversation with government through Twitter @OPE_GovNL.

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Media contacts:

Milly Brown
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3570
millybrown@gov.nl.ca 		Kevin Guest
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
709-729-4304, 730-2320
kevinjguest@gov.nl.ca
Kip Bonnell
Communications Manager
Office of Public Engagement
709-729-1221, 687-9081
kbonnell@gov.nl.ca
  

BACKGROUNDER
Open Government Initiative Public Engagement Sessions
September 8 to October 2, 2014

Date Location Venue Time
Monday, September 8 Glovertown Alexander Bay Lions Club 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 10 Plum Point Plum Point Motel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 10 Clarenville St. Jude Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 16 Corner Brook Glynmill Inn 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 17 Stephenville Days Inn 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Monday, September 22 Marystown Marystown Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 23 Grand Falls-Windsor Mount Peyton Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 24 St. John’s Capital Hotel 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 2 Happy Valley-Goose Bay Hotel North Two 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

2014 08 15                                             9:25 a.m.