Public engagement for the development of the 6^th National Action Plan on Open Government is temporarily suspended due to the issuing of the writ. Communication and engagement activities will resume when the newly elected government is sworn into office. 

Why is engagement suspended?

• When a federal election is called and the writ is issued, parliament is dissolved. During this period, communication and public engagement activities are suspended until the day of the issuing of the writ and may only resume when the newly elected government is sworn into office.

What is the Caretaker Convention?

• The caretaker convention is a principle in parliamentary democracies, including Canada, that guides the conduct of the government during an election period. When Parliament is dissolved for an election, the government is expected to act with restraint and avoid making major policy decisions, significant expenditures, or appointments that could bind a future government. This is meant to ensure that the outgoing government does not make decisions that could limit the options of the incoming government. Routine government operations will still continue, and the government can still act in emergencies or on urgent matters in the public interest.

When will engagement for the 6^th National Action Plan on Open Government resume?

• Engagement activities for the 6^th National Action Plan will resume once an election has been held and the newly elected government has been sworn into office.

Your Opportunity to Shape the Future of Open Government in Canada.

Open government means the government is transparent with information and accountable for decisions. It also means people are involved in making decisions. To do this, the government works with people, communities, businesses, and civil society. 

Open government is based on the principles of transparency, accountability and public participation. 

Transparency: The government makes available relevant information on policies, programs, services and decisions in a complete, accurate and timely manner – while protecting privacy, security and confidentiality – so the public can access, understand and monitor the activities and decisions of government. In short, the public has access to information they want and need.

Accountability: The public can exercise its right to hold the government to account for its activities, performance and decisions through timely access to information. In other words, the public should be able to see and question how their government is being managed.

Participation: The public can influence the activities and decisions of the government through meaningful and targeted consultation and engagement. That is, the public should find it easy to be involved and participate in government decisions and initiatives.

The Government of Canada is committed to being open. 

National Action Plan on Open Government

The Government of Canada has been a member of the international Open Government Partnership (OGP) since 2012. The OGP brings together national and sub-national governments from around the world who are committed to advancing transparent, participatory, inclusive and accountable governance.

To remain a member of the OGP, the Government of Canada must work with civil society and the public to develop and carry out a National Action Plan on Open Government every two to four years.