Redefining Legislative Processes through Digital Innovation: The Case of the House of Commons in Canada
About the House of Commons in Canada. Written on September, 2021
Introduction
The proliferation of digital technologies has presented an unprecedented opportunity for legislative bodies worldwide to reinvent their processes and increase their engagement with the citizenry. This essay explores the ongoing digital transformation of the House of Commons in Canada, examining the potentials and challenges of innovating the legislative process, enhancing member interactions, and improving citizen-centric engagement through digital channels.
Disruptive Innovation within Conservative Legislative Practices
The legislative process, traditionally viewed as a conservative undertaking, presents a formidable challenge to introducing innovation. However, it is critical to acknowledge the increasing need for innovative forms of drafting expressions and legislative processes. One of the solutions could lie in creating a substantial knowledge base of legislation that people can search in any language, thus fostering collaboration and transparency in the legislative drafting process.
Innovation in the legislative domain is typically driven by specific demand projects, necessitating a cultural shift towards anticipating future needs. Nonetheless, these shifts are subject to political sensitivity, where each political party might have differing views on the way of innovating, particularly in a digital context. Thus, maintaining a balance between introducing disruptive innovation and preserving the essence of traditional legislative processes is pivotal.
Enabling Digital Legislation through Institutional Partnerships
Securing the necessary funding and resources for innovation poses another challenge, especially in a public administration setting. There is a need to collaborate with committees, NGOs, and universities, while ensuring that these efforts are strictly scrutinized to prevent interference with political agendas and discussions. Such partnerships, fostering a broader range of perspectives, are beneficial for areas requiring innovation, like e-voting or digital law.
Moreover, universities and other political institutions might be well-positioned to undertake research and development in this space, allowing legislative bodies to collaborate with and benefit from their expertise.
Enhancing Citizen-centric Engagement through Digital Channels
The transformational power of digital technologies is increasingly recognized in the realm of public administration, particularly in engaging citizens. While equipping members with platforms to better engage and track cases with citizens is important, the focus is shifting towards empowering citizens to be more actively involved in the legislative process.
Open data and open parliament initiatives are gaining momentum, enabling citizens to better access parliamentary processes, consume data, and engage in political discussions. However, it is essential to navigate the challenges, such as ensuring privacy and managing the transition of active cases from outgoing to incoming members. The goal should be to create a more inclusive digital platform that caters to a broader range of citizens, not just the 'usual suspects' who are already well-equipped to participate.
The Covid-19 pandemic has provided an unexpected impetus for public participation, with virtual participation modes making it easier for a broader range of citizens to contribute. Select committees, for instance, are leveraging video conferencing technology to increase public participation and access to the legislative process. This practice is set to continue, signifying an evolutionary step in democratising legislative processes.
Conclusion
The digital transformation of the House of Commons in Canada signifies an era of transformative innovation in legislative processes. Navigating the delicate balance between tradition and innovation, overcoming resource challenges, and enhancing citizen-centric engagement through digital channels are critical to successful digital transformation. The evolution of these practices will redefine the legislative process, promote greater transparency, and foster enhanced public participation, which in turn will strengthen democracy.