Past Events
Making a BIG Difference in Government:
IPAC Vancouver Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, May 22, 2019, 4PM – 7PM
SFU Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue
420-580 W Hastings St. Vancouver, BC
IPAC Vancouver Annual General Meeting
Wednesday, May 22, 2019, 4PM – 7PM
SFU Morris J Wosk Centre for Dialogue
420-580 W Hastings St. Vancouver, BC
Join us at this year’s Annual General Meeting where we will be learning how government “nudges” citizens to make decisions which have broader, positive effects, ranging from saving more water and energy to living more healthily. These interventions are a way to address policy challenges by using methods from behavioural science to guide people into making better choices. In this session, the BC Behavioural Insights Group (BC BIG) will show you how small tweaks or “nudges” to programs and services can be used to encourage behaviour change across a variety of policy areas. You will learn about the history, theory and practice of behavioural insights using interactive exercises and real-world case studies.
This is an important opportunity for policy makers, researchers and professionals, both inside and outside of government, to engage and explore the innovative tools that will inform, shape and impact the policy and program decisions of the future.
What are Behavioural Insights? Behavioural insights (BI) use research from the behavioural sciences (psychology, economics, and similar disciplines) to better understand how people make decisions and to nudge them to make better choices. BI relies on evidence-based decision-making and uses rigorous testing to trial new insights.
Why might policymakers want to use this? BI provides tools to develop better policies that support both individuals and communities. Governments can improve outcomes by encouraging communities to make choices that are better for themselves and for society around them.
AGENDA (4-7PM)
4:15PM - Welcome by IPAC
4:30PM – Board nominations and voting
5:30PM – BIG presentation/discussion: Behavioral Science in Action: When Governments Nudge for Good
6:00 PM - Interactive policy exercises
7:00PM – Closing remarks
This is an important opportunity for policy makers, researchers and professionals, both inside and outside of government, to engage and explore the innovative tools that will inform, shape and impact the policy and program decisions of the future.
What are Behavioural Insights? Behavioural insights (BI) use research from the behavioural sciences (psychology, economics, and similar disciplines) to better understand how people make decisions and to nudge them to make better choices. BI relies on evidence-based decision-making and uses rigorous testing to trial new insights.
Why might policymakers want to use this? BI provides tools to develop better policies that support both individuals and communities. Governments can improve outcomes by encouraging communities to make choices that are better for themselves and for society around them.
AGENDA (4-7PM)
4:15PM - Welcome by IPAC
4:30PM – Board nominations and voting
5:30PM – BIG presentation/discussion: Behavioral Science in Action: When Governments Nudge for Good
6:00 PM - Interactive policy exercises
7:00PM – Closing remarks
Heather Devine is Head of the BC Behavioural Insights Group (BC BIG). Passionate about making government services better and improving the lives of British Columbians, Heather and her team use insights and methods from the behavioural sciences to solve problems across a variety of policy domains. Launching BC BIG was a full-circle opportunity for Heather who began her public service career in an applied judgment and decision-making lab at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC-Toronto). Her current appreciation for serving the greater good stems from this early experience seeing innovation, experimentation and evidence-based policymaking translate into meaningful change.
IPAC Vancouver invites you to join in the conversation...
Responsive Research and Gender-Based Analysis (+) in Socio-Economic Impact and Environmental Assessment.
Date: Friday February 15, 2019
Time: 4:30 - 6:45pm
Location: Library Square Conference Center, Peter Kaye Room, Lower Level, 350 West Georgia, Vancouver
Please join us for an informative discussion and dialogue followed by a question and answer period and networking.
In a post-TRC era and with the US and Canadian endorsements of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, understanding what constitutes responsive research is an important consideration for working in partnership with Indigenous nations and communities. Using a gender-based lens combined with strong local community relationships and a deeper understanding of cultural protocols is a key starting point for building meaningful, translocal partnerships and relational forms of accountability. Community-based research can provide gender-disaggregated data to support policy analysts in the completion of gender equality analysis of programs and policies. Through this workshop you will:
Dr. Jacqueline Quinless - Director of Research at Quintessential Research Group, a community-based practice that specializes in environmental issues, health and wellness research, and socio-economic analysis.
Jeff (Ganohalidoh) Corntassel - writer, teacher and father from the Tsalagi (Cherokee) Nation and currently Associate Professor at the University of Victoria.
Registration Fees:
$20 for Members, Students and Retirees
$25 for Non-Members
Registration details will follow soon. For more information, please contact Laura Aucoin at vancouveripac@gmail.com.
Responsive Research and Gender-Based Analysis (+) in Socio-Economic Impact and Environmental Assessment.
Date: Friday February 15, 2019
Time: 4:30 - 6:45pm
Location: Library Square Conference Center, Peter Kaye Room, Lower Level, 350 West Georgia, Vancouver
Please join us for an informative discussion and dialogue followed by a question and answer period and networking.
In a post-TRC era and with the US and Canadian endorsements of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, understanding what constitutes responsive research is an important consideration for working in partnership with Indigenous nations and communities. Using a gender-based lens combined with strong local community relationships and a deeper understanding of cultural protocols is a key starting point for building meaningful, translocal partnerships and relational forms of accountability. Community-based research can provide gender-disaggregated data to support policy analysts in the completion of gender equality analysis of programs and policies. Through this workshop you will:
- Receive information on effective approaches to GBA (+) and guidance on integrating GBA to environmental assessment at the national, provincial and community levels.
- Gain an understanding of the links between culturally responsive research and better socio-economic, health, and environmental outcomes.
Dr. Jacqueline Quinless - Director of Research at Quintessential Research Group, a community-based practice that specializes in environmental issues, health and wellness research, and socio-economic analysis.
Jeff (Ganohalidoh) Corntassel - writer, teacher and father from the Tsalagi (Cherokee) Nation and currently Associate Professor at the University of Victoria.
Registration Fees:
$20 for Members, Students and Retirees
$25 for Non-Members
Registration details will follow soon. For more information, please contact Laura Aucoin at vancouveripac@gmail.com.
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New Professional Speed Mentoring Event
November 27, 2018 Roundhouse Community Centre | Vancouver, BC In partnership with the BC and Yukon chapter of the Canadian Evaluation Society, IPAC Vancouver held a very successful speed mentoring event on November 27, 2018 at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Federal Champion Gerry Salembier and CES Vice President Eyyub Hajiyev gave opening remarks. The event had 38 registrants and 12 of them were members. There were several repeating participants who also attended the event in June.Nine mentors volunteered their time to share their knowledge and experience. This event offers an opportunity to learn from and ask questions of leaders, Managers and Executives. Topics of discussion included:
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2018 IPAC - Vancouver Workshop & Annual General Meeting Government Collaboration: Merging or Diverging Policy Perspectives June 27th, 2018 IPAC Vancouver hosted their Annual General Workshop focusing on the ways governments in Canada have merging or diverging approaches to public policy. The work of public administration in Federal, Provincial, Municipal, and Aboriginal governments provides countless opportunities for collaboration on the development of policies to support the aspirations of communities and the implementation of critical infrastructure projects. Collaboration between governments can mobilize resources and improve outcomes desired by communities. Conversely, diverging perspectives among governments on issues of common interest can create barriers to infrastructure and community or regional projects. Competing interests, budgets, visions as well as policy and legislative limitations serve to complicate collaboration and impact projects in every jurisdiction - and, in the end, have the most significant effect on citizens and their communities. The diverse panel included experts in Emergency Management, stakeholder engagement and consultation, project management and First Nations government relations. Steve Brown from the City of Vancouver – Rapid Transit Office shared his perspectives on transit in a dynamic, complex environment. Key takeaways included:
IPAC Vancouver and the First Nations Public Service Secretariat renewed their Memorandum of Understanding to undertake joint programming to share research, information, experience, expertise and skills to strengthen the public-sectors to meet the responsibilities of governing for the benefit of our communities. |
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New Professional Speed Mentoring Event
June 7, 2018 Roundhouse Community Centre | Vancouver, BC In partnership with the BC and Yukon chapter of the Canadian Evaluation Society, IPAC Vancouver held a very successful speed mentoring event on June 7, 2018 at the Roundhouse Community Centre! Nine mentors shared their insights on topics including: communication, teamwork, sustainability, and career development.
The event was attended by 36 mentees who were able to learn from an array of mentors. Mentors distributed business cards and connections were built. Conversations were stimulating and continued well past the end of the event. Furthermore, door prizes, including a one on one mentoring session, were awarded to two attendees! Participants indicated that they enjoyed the event and there is interest in continuing this type of event as a series. |
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Responsive Research in an Era of Reconciliation
March 9, 2018 Leylum Room | Indigenous Services Canada 
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IPAC Vancouver hosted an informative and dynamic discussion and dialogue on Research in an Era of Reconciliation. The 94 recommendations of the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) have generated responses at all levels of government and across all post-secondary and many non-profit institutions.
The session focused on responsive research as an important consideration for working in partnership with Indigenous groups and communities. The speakers, Jacqueline Quinless and Jeff Corntassel, shared their experiences and perspectives regarding strong local community relationships and a deeper understanding of cultural protocols as a key step from which to build progressive partnerships and make meaningful investments that focus on positive change. Several themes were discussed at this session:
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Policy and Pint: Cannabis Legalization
February 22, 2018 The Pint Public House
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IPAC Vancouver successfully launched our new Policy and Pint event series, set to engage Vancouverites in important conversations about public policy in BC and Canada.
For our first "Policy and a Pint" of 2018, IPAC Vancouver gathered people who are interested in discussing how the country and province are shaping and creating the cannabis industry in regards to the soon to be implemented change in legislation of non-medicinal cannabis. Twenty five participants, who ranged in background and experience in public policy, gathered at the Pint Pub, to engage in lively discussion on topics such as: consumer expectations, impact of non-medical cannabis use in the work place, who is responsible for research and evaluation, how edibles will be regulated, as well as many other topics regarding the impact of the new cannabis legislation. IPAC Vancouver is currently in the planning stages for the next Policy and Pint event! To stay in the know follow us on Facebook, twitter or join our email distribution list and look forward to our next newsletter. Supporting materials that helped inform our discussion can be found here:
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Learning Among Leaders: Career and Job Transition
September 26, 2017 SFU Harbour Centre Campus 
Susan Ney, Principal Consultant of Susan Ney & Associates
(From Left to Right) Garrick Bradshaw, Filip Jaworksi, Paul Mochrie, Trish Sterloff, and Teara Fraser.
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In collaboration with SFU School of Public Policy, participants and speakers connected for a dialogue about how job and career opportunities are shaped by learning from, and among, leaders. The session kicked off with opening remarks from IPAC Vancouver Chair, Blair Polychronopoulos, followed by a high energy introduction by moderator Garrick Bradshaw.
The keynote address by Paul Mochrie, Deputy City Manager, City of Vancouver, shared initial perspectives on leadership, proposing that "all leaders need to be operating with a talent management mindset." He also stressed the importance of talent management and investing in people, not just financially, but listening and helping individuals reach their full potential, commenting that "mentoring takes energy and commitment." Susan Ney stressed the importance of asking staff what they need to feel engaged and encouraged everyone to 'own it' when it comes to succession planning and learning. The importance of building trust was also emphasized, not being afraid to make mistakes and know your own potential, learn who you are and be true to yourself. Participants engaged in a lively question and answer session with the four panelists consisting of Paul Mochrie, Deputy City Manager, City of Vancouver; Trish Sterloff, Executive Director, Corporate Succession Management, Talent Management Division, BC Public Service Agency; Teara Fraser, CEO, Raven Institute; and Filip Jaworksi, graduate student at Simon Fraser University’s School of Public Policy. The panel provided personal and organizational perspectives on how succession planning can work effectively and how to address challenges. The panel also talked about how to learn from leaders at all levels, how asking good questions is important for constant learning and "knowing when to pitch ideas is key." There was agreement among panelists that "a good leader makes complex issues simple by understanding what matters." This session showcased the rich dialogue and the true learning among leaders that takes place at IPAC Vancouver events. | |||||
