Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee

Inquiry into Electronic Democracy

Discussion paper, October 2002

[Table of Contents]

Attachment 3

Some e-democracy initiatives in other jurisdictions

WHERE PROJECT COMMENT

Federal Government,
Australia

www.defence.gov.au/consultation2/index.htm
Defence White Paper, released in 2000. Paper downloaded over 6,000 times. Half of all formal submissions were by email. Over 5,000 further emails received.

New South Wales,
Australia

www.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au
“Community Builders” is a government sponsored community of practice, implementing policy. An interactive electronic clearing house for community level social, economic and environmental renewal including community leaders, government workers, volunteers, academics, policy makers, youth and seniors.

Queensland,
Australia

http://www.premiers.qld.gov.au/about/community/democracy.htm
E-democracy Policy Framework includes providing information, consulting widely and facilitating input. Queensland is trialing e-democracy for the next 3 years.

WHERE PROJECT COMMENT

South Australia,
Australia
www.talkingpoint.sa.gov.au
Talking Point is a public debate forum.
Site is currently under review.

Tasmania,
Australia

www.elaunceston.com
eLaunceston website offers daily news, quick poll, open chat and dynamic content. Word of the Week comes from the Mayor.

Western Australia,
Australia

www.citizenscape.wa.gov.au
Citizenscape website promotes involvement in decision-making and informs about citizenship-related activities. The site includes how schools and corporations can become involved.

Canada

www.nrcan.gc.ca/es/etf
Federal Energy Technology Futures Project examined the environment and economics.
Ongoing online discussions and a formal virtual conference, supplemented face-to-face consultations.

WHERE PROJECT COMMENT

Canada – Toronto
www.city.toronto.on.ca

www.joemihevc.com
Informative municipal website that engages community. See also an example of a personal website of a Toronto City Councilor, Joe Mihevc. Profiles him and highlights his stance on many issues. His site also actively promotes community engagement.

Denmark

www.nordpol.dk
Democracy Project run in North Jutland to counter Denmark’s lowest voter turnout there. Made regional-level decisions visible. Good dialogue between citizens and politicians.

Estonia

http://tom.riik.ee
Tana Otsustan Mina (“Today I decide”)
is Estonia’s online consultation process. Citizens comment on draft laws and suggest new ones. 190,000 hits per month and suggestions for 9 new laws have been followed.

European Union

http://europa.eu.int/index_en.htm
Europa, the website of the European Union, fosters discussion on the future of the Union. Though informal, this forum raises awareness of issues facing the Union in light of likely expansion through the imminent addition of several countries.

WHERE PROJECT COMMENT

Finland

www.tampere.fi
City of Tampere’s interactive town planning game. Residents experience town planning and can send messages to planners. First trial taught valuable lessons on simplifying.

Germany

www.mediakomm.net
Housing development proposal in city of Esslingen debated online Information provided and discussion space created. Despite some criticism, famous across Germany as highlighting citizen participation.

Italy

www.comune.bologna.it
Iperbole – a famed online civic network established by the city of Bologna.
Links citizens to administrators and each other, also supplies information and interactive services.

Netherlands

www.publiek-politiek.nl
The Minister responsible for e-democracy matters, Mr. van Boxtel, takes part in series of online chats.
There were twice the number of questions that could be answered each session. Public Servants also participated as named invited experts.

WHERE PROJECT COMMENT

New Zealand

www.govt.nz
Current consultations prominently listed on homepage, and also has links to online consultations by local government. Unusual among government websites, the NZ approach is predominantly a “What’s New?” across government.

Sweden

www.votia.com
Planned renovation of Kalix city centre discussed online. Citizens could phone, fax, post or use a computer : 82% chose the internet.

UK - Hansard Society
www.democracyforum.org.uk
E-democracy program runs online consultations for UK Parliament.
Successful consultations on domestic violence, taxation, stem cell research and Parliament’s use of computers.

UK – Scotland

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/official_report/cttee/educ-01/edconsultrep01.htm
Report on improving consultation with young people in policy-making and legislation.
Young people appear more ready to disclose sensitive information on-line. It increases openness, heightens sensitivity to other participants and promotes positive conflict resolution.

WHERE PROJECT COMMENT

UK - Scotland

http://itc.napier.ac.uk/
Napier University, Edinburgh, has an “International Teledemocracy Centre”. Develops software to support technology use by governments and parliaments worldwide. Promotes openness, accountability and participation.

UK - Scotland

www.scottish.parliament.uk
Scottish Parliament offers webcasts and accepts electronic petitions Also has links to forums on political topics and on topics which are not primarily political (e.g. chronic pain).

USA - Federal

www.epa.gov
Environmental Protection Agency online consultation on its Public Involvement policy. Combined broad participation with the intensive interaction of small groups.

USA - Oregon

www.ci.corvallis.or.us/council
City of Corvallis has an online log of all official emails Searchable by subject and date.

WHERE PROJECT COMMENT

USA - Tennesse
http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/02/01/12657645.shtml
Survey of parents’ preferred term dates for school. Initiated by a parent; hundreds of responses presented to authorities. Spurs similar initiatives elsewhere.