Webinar - Internal Strategy, External Output: Building a Public Engagement Improvement Flywheel

Engagement in Crisis

Public engagement has surged in relevance as governments grapple with declining trust and complex challenges. In Canada, the 2022-2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy emphasizes whole-of-government participation, with the 2025 Progress Report noting improved OECD rankings but persistent gaps in inclusive research. Initiatives like the Open Government Partnership's Maturity Model, launching cohorts in 2026, aim to assess and boost participation capacities across departments. This reflects a broader shift: engagement is no longer optional but essential for legitimacy in decision-making.

Real-world impacts are tangible, affecting communities, policymakers, and economies. For instance, Alberta's Budget 2026 consultations invited diverse input to shape provincial priorities, while Ottawa's June 2025 motion prioritized equity and accessibility in engagement strategies. Nonprofits face stakes too, with Budget 2025 allocating $528.4 million over four years for Women and Gender Equality Canada amid cuts elsewhere. Inaction risks economic fallout; a 2024 study showed child care expansions prevented a 2023 recession, but rising youth unemployment at 14.7% in September 2025—despite immigration reductions—signals vulnerabilities if public voices are sidelined.

Concrete stakes include deadlines like the OGP's 2025 webinar and 2026 cohort launches, with costs such as $24 million for climate research projects. Risks of inaction loom large: stalled developments in areas like Confederation Heights, where engagement began in 2021 and targets City Council approval by June 2026, could escalate opposition and expenses. Poor timing in participation, as Brookings notes, can weaken governance by halting supported policies.

Non-obvious angles reveal tensions. Trends for 2026, drawn from analyses of over 600 local governments, point to shifts in staffing and technology, where AI promises automation but risks alienating underrepresented groups. Engagement as 'infrastructure'—ongoing rather than episodic—clashes with traditional project-based approaches, potentially reducing misinformation but demanding cultural shifts. Philanthropy's 2026 trends highlight legal frameworks needed to balance innovation and accountability, while nonprofits battle disinformation, as seen in campaigns countering vilification. These trade-offs underscore that effective engagement builds fiscal resilience, cutting risks of backlash, yet demands interdisciplinary skills to navigate decentralized networks.