Call for new Multi-Stakeholder Forum members
Canada’s Multi-stakeholder Forum on Open Government
The Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) is a collaborative platform for Open Government reformers and champions from civil society and the Government of Canada to work together to advance the principles of transparency, accountability and participation.
Responsibilities of the MSF include:
- driving increased ambition in Canada’s Open Government agenda
- identifying strategic opportunities to advance the Government of Canada Trust and Transparency Strategy
- co-creating new commitments for Canada’s National Action Plan on Open Government
- monitoring the implementation of Canada’s Open Government commitments
Current and previous initiatives include:
- informing the creation of Canada’s beneficial ownership registry
- providing input into access to information legislation
- identifying open data priorities
- proposing new evaluation standards for public consultation
This work takes place within the context of Canada’s membership in the Open Government Partnership, an international institution that includes more than 70 countries and 150 local governments – representing more than 2 billion people – and thousands of civil society organizations.
You can learn more about the MSF and Canada’s current Open Government agenda by reading:
Criteria
You’re a candidate for the MSF if you:
- canvas and represent the concerns and interests of the Canadian civil society community
- exercise good judgment and engage effectively with senior government officials and civil society community
- champion and articulate core open government principles of transparency, accountability and participation
- will attend and add value at MSF meetings and working groups
- will effectively promote open government to the Canadian civil society community
- have experience with Canadian civil society
Experience with open government principles (transparency, participation, accountability) and knowledge in topics such as e-government, digital government, open data and public policy formulation is an advantage. Priority knowledge areas for the current intake include:
- information management accountability measures
- access to information reforms
- public participation
Civil society candidates should have the following qualities:
- live open government principles by practising high levels of openness, integrity and accountability
- possess skills that can advance a civil society agenda in the context of current open government challenges
- are a thoughtful, good listener and well respected within Canadian civil society or policy communities
Civil society members can live anywhere in Canada but must be available to join online meetings as well as one annual in-person retreat in Ottawa.
We welcome new members who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity and inclusion and will assist the MSF to expand its capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. The MSF values and prioritizes diversity, as it is understood that a range of experiences and perspectives enriches its work and strengthens its ability to address complex and systemic challenges.
Time commitment
MSF members typically need to dedicate a minimum of one day a month to the MSF, with intensity increasing around MSF meetings. Activities include quarterly MSF meetings of:
- around two hours each (one of which is a full-day in-person retreat in Ottawa)
- quarterly civil society touchpoints (typically one hour)
- twice-yearly status updates in each of the four thematic areas of the National Action Plan
- contributions to special projects such as advocacy work, recruitment, civil society outreach and others
Let us know you are interested
We invite candidates to share:
- a resumé (maximum of four pages)
- a cover letter explaining your interest, ideas, skills and experience
References may be requested at a later time.
A Selection Committee has been established by the current MSF to review applicant submissions and select new members.
The deadline for recruiting this round of new members is September 13, 2026. We anticipate virtual interviews to take place in late September or early October. It is anticipated that new members will have official start dates in 2026 or early 2027, but all incoming new members will be asked to attend the in-person retreat in Ottawa on December 4, 2026.
Submit your application to the MSF Secretariat at open-ouvert@tbs-sct.gc.ca.