Public Participation FAQs

Public Participation FAQs

What is public participation?

According to the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2), public participation is any process that involves the public in problem-solving or decision-making and uses public input to improve decisions. It is grounded in the principle that people affected by a decision have a right to be involved, and that their contributions should meaningfully influence the outcome. The Government of Canada does not currently provide an official definition of public participation in its policy or legal instruments.

Why does public participation matter?

High-quality public participation brings diverse perspectives directly into problem-solving and decision-making. When done well, it can lead to better-informed policies and programs, spark more innovative solutions, and build greater public trust and support for government decisions. Meaningful participation also strengthens democratic systems by ensuring that decisions reflect the needs, experiences, and priorities of the people affected. Poorly designed or superficial participation, however, can do more harm than good. It can undermine public trust, contribute to polarization, or generate misleading or unrepresentative input—ultimately weakening both the quality of decisions and confidence in public institutions.

'What is the difference between public participation and public engagement?

Public engagement is a broad, inclusive umbrella term that covers many types of activities such as consultation, partnerships, co-development, and co-management. It generally refers to how institutions reach out to the public to create dialogue, build awareness, and incorporate diverse perspectives, without necessarily sharing decision-making power. Engagement processes are often organization-initiated (top-down) and focus on dialogue and understanding rather than direct influence on outcomes.

Public participation, by contrast, is narrower in scope but deeper in influence. It refers specifically to processes where the public has direct involvement in shaping decisions. Participation typically occurs after initial engagement work and is considered the most empowering form of involvement, giving the public a meaningful role in determining outcomes. In short: engagement = dialogue and involvement, while participation = shared influence on decisions.

What is the difference between public participation and consultation?

Public consultation is a process where government decisionmakers seek input, opinions, or feedback from the public before making a decision, but retain full authority over the final outcome. It typically involves one-way communication, where the public provides comments but does not shape the process or frame the questions. The purpose is to inform decisions, not to share decision-making power. In short: consultation = asking for opinions before deciding.

Public participation, on the other hand, is a deeper, more collaborative process that gives the public meaningful influence or shared control over decision-making. It involves two-way communication and collaboration, where participants may help design processes, set agendas, or make decisions. The purpose is to co-create outcomes with stakeholders. In short: participation = working together to shape decisions.

What is the difference between public participation and public deliberation?

Public participation and public deliberation are related but distinct concepts and should not be used interchangeably. Public participation focuses on empowering people to take part in decision making and influence outcomes through a range of actions and processes. Public deliberation, by contrast, emphasizes structured discussion and debate among citizens, experts, and decision makers. Deliberation focuses on the decision making process that precedes policy choices, while participation focuses on how people are involved and how their input influences decisions.

Source: What’s the difference between deliberation and participation?

What guidance exists within the Government of Canada on public participation?

While there is no authoritative Government of Canada–wide policy instrument on public participation, federal departments and agencies are required under the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada to publish their consultations on the Consulting with Canadians platform. This requirement supports transparency, accessibility, and meaningful engagement by ensuring that consultations and related reports—such as What We Heard summaries—are made publicly available. However, there is no government-wide guidance on how to design or conduct effective and meaningful public participation beyond the obligation to publish consultations.

Capacity and expertise in public participation vary across departments and agencies. Some organizations have developed their own internal guidance to help shape their practices. To better understand this landscape and support learning across government, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s Open Government team has developed a repository of existing tools and guidance. Its purpose is to:

• Identify emerging best practices,
• Provide visibility into how different organizations approach public participation, and
• Support peer learning and knowledge exchange across the federal public service.

Additional Materials (EN only):

• Public Deliberations, Discursive Participation and Citizen Engagement: A Review of the Empirical Literature
• D&D Glossary - National Coalition For Dialogue & Deliberation
• Public deliberation | Involve