In Alberta, public participation seems to be "in transition," as growing public expectations for involvement, mixed with frustration and cynicism, confront proponents who are cutting budgets and reducing their participation staffs. Hard economic decisions by government and industry are leading the public to be more demanding and active in engaging in consultation rather than settling for merely responding to proponents' invitations. In some cases, individuals are focusing on their self-interest and are less inclined to talk or negotiate; burned-out, over-consulted interest groups pick their spots and "jump in and out of" processes. Rather than taking the time to engage a broader public initially, some organizations, under pressure to reduce timelines to increase efficiency, experience complications with programs and ultimately longer times and higher costs before the programs are implemented. Although a wide range of techniques is in use throughout the province, a rigid public involvement process, which is emanating from some regulators (perhaps in the interests of efficiency), leads to the use of open houses as a "cookie cutter" approach to public involvement activities. On a positive note, there is a trend to collect public input on legislation, which leads to consultation on policies and programs and then on projects. The public shows a consistent and growing expectation in this regard. Using ADR and related approaches, lawyers have added a new entrepreneurial sector to public involvement --a new means to make democracy work and improve decisions, plans and developments. However, there is talk of certification for professionals in participation, because now anyone can call himself or herself a public participation practitioner. Return to Public Participation in Canada
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