FREDERICTON (CNB) -- The Commission on Legislative Democracy, in partnership with
xwave, today launched an electronic Discussion Forum that enables New Brunswickers to exchange views with one another on-line regarding democratic renewal in the province. The Discussion Forum can be accessed through the Commission's website at
www.gnb.ca: From the Keyword menu, select Democracy, and then under the headline Interactive, click on Discussion Forum.
"We are very excited about this new e-democracy tool being used for the first time in New Brunswick," said Commission co-chairs Lise Ouellette and Lorne McGuigan. "This is one more way citizens can speak up and let us and other New Brunswickers know how they feel about democracy in our province."
New Brunswickers are invited to participate by posting comments on eight different topics:
- Changing our electoral system
- Drawing new electoral boundaries
- Setting fixed election dates
- Boosting voter turnout and citizen engagement
- Enhancing the role of MLAs and the Legislature
- Appointments to Agencies, Boards and Commissions
- A New Brunswick Referendum Act
- Public involvement in decision making.
"What makes this discussion forum unique is the fact that people can exchange comments immediately with on-line participants, as well as start their own discussions on similar or different topics," added the co-chairs. "We are pleased, too, to be able to access the local skills of IT-services company
xwave, which created the tool for us."
”Electronic consultation as a component of e-democracy and citizen engagement allows governments at every level to engage constituents in a dialogue on issues of importance to them,” said Jeff McGuigan, Director, New Brunswick Public Sector Services,
xwave. “This tool allows people unprecedented access to government–at any time from any place.” Last year,
xwave delivered a similar tool in partnership with the University of New Brunswick: the e-Town Hall website for National Antenna Tower Policy Review, created to allow citizens to debate and shape Federal policies governing the placement of radio towers. The company has worked for many years in the public sector, and is a long-time provider of electronic service delivery (ESD) solutions to government agencies.
"We strongly encourage New Brunswickers to participate in the Discussion Forum,” said Lise Ouellette and Lorne McGuigan. “We also invite them to communicate with the Commission on Legislative Democracy through the mail at 590, Queen Street, Suite 100, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 7H9; by phone at 506-457-6770; via e-mail at cld-cdl@gnb,ca; or in person at one of our public hearings.” More information on hearings can be found at
http://www.gnb.ca/0100/doc/schedule-e.asp. In addition, copies of the Citizen's Participation Guide, Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Turn! can be downloaded by clicking on Your Turn!.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.gnb.ca, keyword: democracy. Site visitors can find out more about the Commission of Legislative Democracy; experience the e-democracy tools Quick Quiz and Speak Up!; and fill out an on-line questionnaire.
About xwave
xwave, an Aliant company, delivers complete IT services to clients through three service lines: systems integration and software engineering; infrastructure services; and product fulfillment. These areas offer clients a broad delivery capability:
xwave plans, designs, builds and operates IT solutions that span both corporate and operational systems and fulfill all infrastructure needs. With approximately $400 million in revenues and 2,300 people,
xwave is one of the largest IT services companies in Canada. More information can be found at www.
xwave.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Marie-Josée Groulx, Commission on Legislative Democracy, 506-457-6770 or 506-470-6522.