a new multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from governments to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption, and harness new technologies to strengthen governance

Harry Low shares his PowerPoint presentation (PDF format) highlighting resolves of the Open Government Partnership sessions held in Brazil.

by: Peggy Taillon, CCSD President & CEO

The following is an introductory excerpt from the report "Forging Two Solitudes: The Divisive Politics of Changing Old Age Security". The complete document is available for download (PDF).

Old Age… Security?

While addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland on January 26, 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper signalled his government would bring forward “major transformations” to the country in the coming months — in areas such as the retirement income system, immigration, science and technology investment and the energy sector — while making a forceful case for pro-growth economic policies over entitlements.  Of those reforms, Harper suggested that getting a grip on rising costs associated with Canada’s pension programs the key priority.

Making It Count! is a new quarterly newsletter offered to registered users of the CCSD Community Data Program and organizations working with community data. Every three months, you'll receive the scoop on what's happening in the world of municipal and neighbourhood data. Showcasing innovative uses of program data, highlighting upcoming training and special events and passing along the latest news on new data and tools, Making It Count! connects data users to the resources you need.

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from thespec.com

Ottawa is shutting down public debate on issues it doesn’t care about

While the public bemoans raucous question periods in Parliament and hyperpartisan debate, a federal government plan for much more lasting damage to public debate is unfolding in Canada.

On April 25th, 2012, Scott Brison, Liberal MP for Kings-Hants (Nova Scotia) put forward a Private Members Bill on Income Inequality. The speech presented to parliament is available for download (PDF) or can be viewed on Mr Brison's YouTube channel.

from thestar.com

The recent federal budget launched a shot across the bows of Canadian registered charities to be careful about how they engage in political activities. The shot was not really a surprise as Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Natural Resources minister, Joe Oliver, had already aimed a few volleys at the sector in their promotion of the tar sands and the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal.

Steve Lurie, Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto Branch, guest blogs on The Agenda, discussing the lack of progress of more supportive housing for those living with mental illness.