ABOUT THE PRAIRIE CHAPTEROur vision: "IAP2 Canada Prairies Chapter is the leader in our region advocating for the practice of public participation. We aspire to engage P2 practitioners and communications professionals throughout Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario by supporting the delivery of professional training, networking events and learning opportunities." Our priorities: In 2017 the Prairie Chapter Board of Directors developed a strategic plan with overarching goals for the chapter. Each year, the Board of Directors selects priority goals and associated actions to focus on. Priority actions for 2021 have been established and will be reviewed with the 2021-2022 board in the summer of 2021. Our progress: Each year, the Prairie Chapter Board of Directors prepares an Annual Report detailing activities undertaken and progress made towards achieving the goals outlined in the Prairie Chapter Strategic Plan. The 2020-2021 Prairie Chapter Annual Report is available here. Stay connected: Join our mailing list: If you would like to receive notifications for upcoming Prairies Chapter events, please join our mailing list! |
Chapter Chat
Making engagement accessible for everyone
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
12 noon - 1 pm CST
Virtual public participation tools can help eliminate mobility and time barriers, address public health restrictions, and reach broader audiences, their use can create obstacles for people with disabilities, as well as older adults, people with limited language proficiency and those with limited access to technology.
The Government of Saskatchewan is developing legislation that seeks to achieve accessibility by preventing and removing barriers that keep people with disabilities from being able to access, understand, and use the places, information, and services in our province. When engaging the public for input into the legislation in early 2021, it was critical that online engagement processes were as accessible as possible.
Join IAP2 Prairies for a chat about accessible engagement with Stefanie Wihlidal, Josh Hone and Colleen McMahon from the Government of Saskatchewan. They will provide an overview of the project and considerations for accessible engagement online and using traditional tools. The chat will include broader group discussion on how to embed accessibility into your organization’s ways of engaging.
There are no fees to participate. Members and non-members in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwest Ontario, from beginner to expert are welcome!
Stefanie Wihlidal, Project Manager, Ministry of Social Services Government of Saskatchewan Stefanie is currently the Project Manager of the Accessibility Legislation Project. Stefanie has over 20 years of experience in the disability sector. Her training is in Occupational Therapy from the University of Alberta and in Psychology from the University of Saskatchewan. She spent the first decade of her career providing Occupational Therapy for adults with intellectual disabilities before she moved into policy and project management work. |
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Josh Hone, Policy Analyst, Ministry of Social Services Government of Saskatchewan Josh is a policy analyst currently working on the development of accessibility legislation for Saskatchewan, which involved the development, organization, and operation of an online public engagement session. Josh just recently started with government in the last year after graduating from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy with a Master’s in Public Administration. |
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Colleen McMahon, Executive Council
Colleen is a currently a public engagement advisor in Government of Saskatchewan’s providing strategic engagement planning advice and support to all ministry engagement projects. Previously Colleen worked for almost a decade in Crown corporations and the private sector in various marketing and communications roles. She holds a Master of Science in Market Research, a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan, and a Certificate in Public Relations from the University of Regina. Colleen also serves as Chair, Board of Directors for the Lung Association, Saskatchewan.
Introducing the Prairie Chapter Chat!
Since March 2020, our priorities and needs as P2 practitioners have changed. Connect with fellow Prairie Chapter practitioners from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwest Ontario to discuss the topics that matter most to you in this new era of engagement.
Share knowledge and network. Join our recurring Chapter Chat sessions to connect, recharge, and become inspired. Build your skill set, share your experiences, and learn from other local practitioners with the shared goal of advancing the practice for all.
| Members and non-members in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Northwest Ontario, from beginner to expert are welcome! To register, see the Upcoming Prairie Chapter Events section above. |
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A special thank you for the contributions to the Prairies Chapter Board and Deputy Board members who completed their term in 2021: Sarah Collins (Regina); Samantha Mark (Saskatoon); Robin Vandel (Winnipeg); and Ariane Delay (Winnipeg).
Katie SuekSaskatoon Chapter President Katie Suek is a Human Environment and Community Engagement Specialist with Canada North Environmental Services (CanNorth). She has 14 years of experience specializing in the human dimensions of environmental planning and decision making. She holds a B.A. Hons degree with a major in cultural anthropology and a Master’s degree in Sustainable Environmental Management from the University of Saskatchewan. Katie has been a member of IAP2 since 2011 and is currently completing the first year of her third term as a member of the Prairie Chapter board of directors. Lindsay thompsonWinnipeg Chapter Vice President |
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SAMANTHA MARKSaskatoon Past President |
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Shawn SilzerRegina Chapter Secretary Shawn’s career – which includes work in the public and private sectors in both Canada and the US – has seen him develop experience in customer experience and corporate strategy, business process management, marketing /communications, change management, project management, and stakeholder facilitation. Shawn has served on the Regina Board of the International Association of Business Communicators, is certified with the Customer Experience Professionals Association, has earned his Hammer business process mastery, and is a Prosci Change Management Professional. |
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Maggie BratlandWinnipeg Chapter Treasurer With over 20 years experience in policy and environmental management, Maggie has worked for the past 7 years in her role as a Senior Environmental Specialists at Manitoba Hydro to integrate public, stakeholder and indigenous perspectives into planning and assessing the effects of transmission line developments. She manages engagement and communication along the full Project timeline – from early design to planning to construction and monitoring. She enjoys the diverse experiences and perspectives that IAP2 members bring to the table and the new ideas that spark from every conversation. Jennifer LesterSaskatoon Chapter Communications Jennifer Lester is a Senior Manager with MNP LLP’s Consulting Practice. Jennifer works with a wide variety of clients including Not for Profit Organizations, Provincial Ministries, Indigenous Organizations and First Nations. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Studies from the University of Saskatchewan and a Diploma in Accountancy from Saskatchewan Polytechnic (SIAST). She is excited to support the Board and continue the development of her Public Participation skills. |
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