Executive Council
December 5, 2014
Engaging and Connecting With Residents
Provincial Government Releases What We Heard Document and Invites Feedback on Open Government Initiative
Following an extensive public engagement process across the province to develop the Open Government Initiative, the Provincial Government today released What We Heard: Open Government Initiative, a compilation of the views of residents and stakeholders on how to strengthen capacity within government and improve policies, programs and services. The Office of Public Engagement is now welcoming comments and additional feedback on this document, available at www.open.gov.nl.ca.
"In March, we launched our Open Government Initiative, joining several
other governments across Canada and
around the world in committing to principles of transparency, accountability,
participation and collaboration. The people of the province are telling us
that
they want government to foster a culture of openness, strengthen work with
communities, and improve information exchange and coordination across government
departments. We are utilizing this feedback to develop a draft action plan,
which will also be released for public comment."
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
What We Heard: Open Government Initiative summarizes over 2,500 suggestions, comments and ideas gathered from the public engagement sessions, written submissions, and meetings with residents and organizations. Consultations included 42 in-person engagement sessions in nine regions of the province with more than 700 participants. Of the 42 engagement sessions, there were 25 public sessions and 17 sessions involving government employees.
"This
document highlights all of the findings that have emerged through the
consultation process thus far. We have already started to implement the views of
residents, particularly on suggestions to use innovative engagement tools for public input. For
example, last week we launched the Dialogue App, a new virtual community tool for the
regional health forums. In the coming months, we will continue to invite
feedback and make open government an even greater success story in Newfoundland and Labrador."
- The Honourable Steve Kent, Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for
the Office of Public Engagement
Public input received through this process will inform the development of the draft open government action plan, which will also be released for public comment. Following feedback on the draft action plan, a final action plan will be presented. Feedback can be submitted by emailing ope@gov.nl.ca or by calling 1-877-895-8891 (toll-free). To read the What We Heard Document, please visit www.open.gov.nl.ca. Comments will be accepted until December 31, 2014.
QUICK FACTS
- Information gathered from an extensive public engagement process across the province to develop the Open Government Initiative has been released today.
- What We Heard: Open Government Initiative is a compilation of opinions and ideas on how to strengthen capacity within government and improve policies, programs and services. The document is available at www.open.gov.nl.ca.
- The document summarizes over 2,500 suggestions, comments and ideas gathered from public engagement sessions, written submissions, and meetings with residents and organizations. A complete list of comments is available by visiting www.open.gov.nl.ca/dialogue/whatweheard.html.
- Consultations included 42 in-person engagement sessions in nine regions of the province with more than 700 participants. Of the 42 engagement sessions, there were 25 public sessions and 17 sessions involving government employees.
- Public input will inform the development of a draft action plan, which will also be released for public comment. Following feedback on the draft action plan, a final open government action plan will be presented.
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Media contacts:
|
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey
Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3551 donnaivey@gov.nl.ca |
|
Kip Bonnell
Communications Manager Office of Public Engagement 709-729-1221, 687-9081 kbonnell@gov.nl.ca |
2014 12 05 2:45 p.m.