The structures, systems and processes typical of current governments are under pressure. The challenges of citizen involvement, technology, demographics and globalization have drastically changed expectations. Governments are seeking new ways of governing, new ways of engaging partners and new ways to deliver services. Internally, this translates to breaking down traditional working silos, to encouraging innovation and reshaping the very nature of work. Externally, potential partners and those benefitting from government programs can contribute strongly to the mix. Even while these changes are being made, all aspects of modernization must be aligned so that they complement each other.
We are able to draw from the broader expertise of our IOG colleagues who have worked both in Canada and abroad, across all sectors of society in a wide range of subjects. Our advice is underpinned by our extensive research in all areas of governance.
To this end, we provide services in different ways:
With a highly experienced team of consultants and associates having worked sector-wide in public, private and not-for-profit institutions, across Canada and abroad, the Institute on Governance provides leading expertise in governance advisory and training services.
Citizen Engagement: The citizen-centred business model puts the citizen at the heart of the service design and delivery by providing one-stop, easy-to-access, personalized service. This approach provides more separation between the policy and service delivery functions and clearer accountability for each. The IOG offers needs analysis, developing strategic and implementation plans for engagement; designing, managing and facilitating engagement initiatives (live and web-based); preparing input analyses and reports; and providing advice on policy partnerships.
Collaboration: With web 2.0, we have the tools to leap over hurdles to innovation, look beyond our obsession with structure and seek out the enablers of innovation. Mass collaboration has the potential to transform most spheres of government and help government and the citizenry develop more timely and personalized service at lower costs with better outcomes.
Managing Identity: Managing information about people and their needs is critical to enabling responsive, personalized government services. Concerns arise about privacy, security, accuracy, managing identity along a continuum of activities, and multi-party collaboration. The ultimate aim is a new information architecture that integrates service delivery and citizen engagement.
Accountability and Performance Management: The IOG focuses on the nature and effectiveness of accountability relationships such as citizens and their elected representatives, across levels of government, between the governing bodies of NGOs and their stakeholders, and between government and civil society.
The Institute on Governance offers a range of courses, boot camps and leadership programs aimed at equipping practitioners, policy makers and public sector leaders with essential knowledge and skills in pertinent issues.
Todd Cain is a leader in the field of governance and organization effectiveness for mission-driven organizations. His experience covers organization design, board and executive governance, strategy, change and HR management. He has led dozens of engagements with federal and provincial agencies and crown corporations as well as national and community level non-profits and associations. He also leads IOG’s Public Governance Exchange research syndicate. He previously led Deloitte’s national organization design community of practice and served as Senior Policy Advisor to the President of the Treasury Board of Canada. While with the Treasury Board, he provided strategic policy advice on public management issues including accountability, results based management, financial management reforms, expenditure review, HR policy, transparency and governance, and was a principal driver of the 2005 reforms to Crown Corporation governance.
His private sector experience focused on mergers and acquisitions, and HR and labour relations with General Electric and Ford Motor Company. He has led the integration of global businesses, conducted due diligence and negotiated multiple collective agreements.
Todd is an experienced facilitator and author of articles on the Public Governance, the federal expenditure management information system, the policy implementation gap and the award winning “Dr. Schumpeter Comes to the Capital – Creative Destruction in Public Spending.” He holds a Bachelor of Public Administration, Highest Honours, from Carleton University and a Master’s of Industrial and Labour Relations from Cornell University.
As the President of the Institute on Governance, Maryantonett Flumian is responsible for the development of the Institute’s vision and strategic direction, project and partnership development, and the fostering of programs to promote public discussion of governance issues.
She is a seasoned senior executive at the Deputy Minister level in the Canadian federal Public Service with more than 20 years of large-scale operational experience in the economic, social and federal/provincial domains. She is internationally recognized for her work as a transformational leader across many complex areas of public policy and administration such as labour markets, firearms, fisheries, and environmental issues. She was the first Deputy Minister of Service Canada. Her current research focuses on leadership, collaboration, governance, and the transformational potential of technology primarily in the area of citizen-centered services. Maryantonett was at the University of Ottawa between 2006 and 2009 initiating programming for the development of senior public service leaders.
Maryantonett sits on the advisory board of the Harvard Policy Group, John F. Kennedy School of Government, and the advisory group of nGenera’s Government 2.0: Wikinomics, Government and Democracy research program. Maryantonett holds a Master’s Degree in History and completed comprehensive exams towards a PhD in History at the University of Ottawa.
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