#dxc26

At the 2026 Ottawa DemocracyXChange

We are living through multiple, concurrent, urgent crises. And decisions made in the heat of anxiety rarely ignite the light of hope.

Too many decision makers fall victim to politician’s logical fallacy: we must do something; this is something; therefore, we must do it.

At the Ottawa DemocracyXChange, we discussed how Canadians can insist on public policies that are not only fast, but also effective, efficient, just, and legitimate.

I was impressed by the shared spirit of defiant optimism.

I thank everyone who came together, including my fellow panellists: Anoush Terjanian; Brian Gallant; Jane Porter; Jon Lomow; and Skylee-Storm Hogan-Stacey.

At the 2026 DemocracyXChange

This year’s DemocracyXChange in Toronto drew a sold-out crowd.

We are in an age of deep anxiety about the decline of democratic institutions. But clearly, many citizens refuse to go gentle into that good night, and are instead willing to fight for civic ideals.

I especially enjoyed Peter MacLeod’s discussion of his book with Richard Johnson, Democracy’s Second Act: Why Politics Needs the Public.

He made a compelling case that politics are far too important to be left entirely in the hands of politicians.

The 2026 DemocracyXChange in Ottawa

Our country is beset by all manner of urgent crises. Can our public institutions respond with speed, without compromising accountability, oversight, or legitimacy?

📆 Thursday, 30 April 2026 ⏰ 14h45 EDT 📍 330 Sussex Dr, Ottawa 🎟️ https://democracyxchange.org/ottawa

I look forward to being a panellist at the DemocracyXChange’s inaugural Ottawa gathering.