Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Open Government

Robin Prest, Program Director, Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue

Civil Society Co-Chair

Membership term: March 2023 – March 2027

Robin Prest is the Program Director at Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, where he builds the capacity of governments to co-create solutions for pressing issues and develops participatory methods to address declining trust in institutions. His commentary and programming have been featured in national and international forums such as the United Nations Climate Conference (COP26), the Westminster Foundation for Democracy’s inaugural Environmental Democracy conference, The Hill Times and The Globe and Mail.

Examples of Robin’s work include launching the International Climate Engagement Network to help national and sub-national governments accelerate climate action, advising Canada’s Treasury Board Secretariat in developing Canada’s 4th National Action Plan on Open Government, overseeing the first ever cross-Canada deliberative dialogue where a representative body of citizens made recommendations on federal energy policy and co-founding the Mitigating Wildfire initiative to support collaborative approaches on one of the most serious sources of climate risk and emissions in Canada today.

Eugene Chen, Chair, Canadian Open Data Society (CODS)

Membership term: March 2023 – March 2027

An award-winning creator of interactive data visualizations, Eugene enjoys combining his software background with data, storytelling and art to create actionable and visually compelling insights. His work has been viewed millions of times, and has been shared on media outlets like the CBC, New York Times, CTV, and NPR. Much of his work is driven by open and complex data.

As the Chair of CODS, he spends much of his time collaborating with open data leaders across Canada to achieve ambitious and impactful goals. Eugene is also working on an open data startup using IP acquired from his previous role as the CTO of a consulting data analytics firm, and is wrapping up his Masters thesis in Computing Science with a personal focus on making algorithms explainable and accessible.

Beyond his previous roles at CODS, Eugene enjoys teaching and has run workshops or spoken at various post-secondary institutions and international conferences on open data and data visualization. He is also the co-organizer of BetaCity YEG, Edmonton's civic tech meetup, and tries to make time for chasing after auroras around the city.

Malorie Flon, Executive Director, Institut du Nouveau Monde

Membership term: August 2024 – August 2028

Malorie Flon is Executive Director of the Institut du Nouveau Monde, a Quebec-based non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening citizen participation in democracy.

Her career has been devoted to the planning and facilitation of public participation processes, as well as to policy analysis and the testing of innovative practices to make participatory democracy a reality. Over the past 15 years, she has worked in partnership with various types of governmental, private and para-public organizations, to instill citizen participation reflexes and help them implement participatory approaches that are relevant to the needs and aspirations of the population.

Christian Medina, Global Programs Manager, Open North

Membership term: March 2023 – March 2027

Christian leads Global Programs for Open North, a not-for-profit organization based in Montreal that specializes in data governance, digital data partnerships, open and shared data, civic engagement, and open smart cities. He is particularly interested in the challenges and opportunities technology and data pose for effective, transparent, and democratic governance in Canada and abroad. Christian brings a unique academic background and professional experience in technology, conflict and international development. Recent professional highlights include promoting public participation and data governance in Ukraine, building pro-democracy and civil society capacity in Myanmar, research on the role of Open Data in Colombia's post-conflict reconstruction efforts, and supporting local government and community organizations implementing better data governance across Canada and elsewhere. Born in Colombia, Christian migrated to Canada at the age of 17. He speaks Spanish, French and English fluently.

Palash Sanyal, ICD.D, GCB.D, CPF, PMP, Founder, Governing Water

Membership term: March 2023 – March 2027

Palash is a Certified Board Director, Professional Facilitator, and sustainability advisor focused on inclusive leadership, data-informed decision-making, and open government. Through Governing Water, he supports institutions and communities in navigating complex challenges with strategic clarity, equity, and transparency. Over the past decade, Palash has served on numerous boards across Western Canada, as well as nationally and internationally.

Nick Scott, CEO and Principal Consultant at ShiftFlow Innovation and Design

Membership term: October 2023 – October 2025

Nick Scott is a long-time advocate of Open Government, public innovation and evidence-informed policy. He has over 15 years of relevant experience. He served as the Executive Director of Open Government and Innovation in New Brunswick, where he led transformative public sector strategies. Nick was the Executive Director of the New Brunswick Social Policy Research Network where he co-founded NouLAB, New Brunswick’s first public and social innovation lab. He also initiated the GovMaker Conference. A co-chair of the 2016 Canadian Open Data Summit and a board member of Code for Canada, Nick continues to drive transparency, engagement, and collaboration in his current role as CEO and Principal Consultant at ShiftFlow Innovation and Design.

Beatrice Wayne, Director of Research and Policy, Samara Centre for Democracy

Membership term: August 2024 – August 2028

Beatrice is the Research Director at the Samara Centre for Democracy, a non-profit charity dedicated to advancing a vibrant culture of civic engagement across Canada. In this role, she leads diverse mixed-methods research projects focused on building a more responsive political landscape in Canada. An award-winning researcher, teacher and passionate advocate for participatory democracy across the globe, Beatrice has taught popular courses on democratic activism at Harvard University, the University of Sydney and New York University. She holds an PhD from New York University and a Masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and has received major grants to conduct research across Canada, the United States and Ethiopia.

In addition to her academic research and teaching, she has served on steering committees and provided her research and pedagogical expertise to a variety of non-profit organizations and educational publishers, including Students Learn Students Vote, Scholastic Books, and the Faculty Network for Student Voting Rights. She is one of the founders of the Student Vote Research Network. She is frequently asked to provide commentary on democratic engagement and civic participation for diverse media outlets, included CBC, Global News and the Hill Times.

Charles Taillefer, Executive Director, Access to Information and Open Government Policy

Government Co-Chair

Membership term: May 2022 – Current

Charles is responsible for leading government-wide policy work and performance reporting related to access to information, proactive publication and open government. Prior to this role, Mr. Taillefer served as Director of Privacy and Data Protection Policy at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, where he led the legislative reform of the federal private sector privacy law, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the development of Canada's first legislative proposal to regulate artificial intelligence, the proposed Artificial Intelligence and Data Act. Charles has also worked in leadership roles in various institutions including Fisheries and Oceans, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Veterans Affairs Canada, and Natural Resources Canada. Over the course of his career, Mr. Taillefer has played a leadership role in the development of policy in various areas such as transborder data flows, privacy impact assessment, fair information practices, use of the social insurance number, duty to assist, security screening and artificial intelligence and data governance. Charles holds a Master of Legal Studies from Carleton University and an Ontario Teaching Certificate and a Bachelor of Arts from Laurentian University.

Emily Gusba, Director General, Government Record Branch, Library and Archives Canada

Membership term: February 2023 – February 2027

Emily Gusba is an experienced information professional whose mission is to connect people quickly and easily with the reliable, trustworthy information and data that they need. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario, and has worked in information management and libraries since 2008. She has worked in the federal government since 2010, in transportation, science, regulatory and heritage portfolios. Ms. Gusba led the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission’s debut into Open Government, and she is committed to robust, proactive access to information in the ongoing story of Canada.

Amy Awad, Director General, Digital and Creative Marketplace Frameworks Branch, Canadian Heritage

Membership term: April 2024 – April 2028

Amy is passionate about creating good public policy and solving difficult problems. She leads the Digital and Creative Marketplace Frameworks branch at Canadian Heritage where she works on issues related to digital transition and culture including broadcasting, online safety, copyright, news and disinformation. She previously worked on the negotiation and implementation of labour and culture provisions in Canada’s free trade agreements. Amy holds degrees in software engineering and law including a masters in law and technology from the University of Ottawa.

Jeff Ball, Director, Open Government Data Governance, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Membership term: March 2022 – March 2027

Jeff Ball is the Director of Open Government Data Governance at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  He is leading the development and advancement of transparency in the interest of trust and accountability in policing. Jeff is also responsible for the development and implementation of a trusted data governance framework to ensure the responsible and ethical creation, collection, storage, use and release of high quality data in the RCMP.

Jeff has over 17 years of experience in the federal public service, leading numerous data and information services and advocating for increased transparency for public good. Jeff holds a Bachelor’s of Social Science from the University of Ottawa with specialization in Criminology and Psychology.