Data-based decision making key in era of disinformation and polarization: Better Evidence Conference
In an era of “polycrises” – conflict, economic instability and the spread of misinformation – data and evidence-based decision making is more important than ever.
That was a running theme at the Better Evidence conference in Ottawa Feb. 5 that drew senior public service officials, academics, journalists and experts. The conference was organized by Blueprint, a mission-driven nonprofit that aims to help decision-makers use data and evidence to solve complex challenges and make better policies, programs and services for Canadians.
Speakers included:
Karen Myers, CEO Blueprint
Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement
Anil Arora, Chief Statistician of Canada
Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and Professor of Social Work at McGill University
Sahir Khan, Executive Vice-President, Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy
The challenges are enormous, and the improved use of data is critical to ensuring policy outcomes meet policy objectives, participants heard. This is especially true of ensuring the needs of Canada’s diverse population are met, including youth, families, newcomers and Indigenous peoples.
The day-long event held at the University of Ottawa was under Chatham House Rule to ensure open, candid dialogue, which means participants may share what they heard without divulging the names of who said it.
Many of the conference participants agreed that the problem is not a scarcity of data – in fact there is an abundance of it – but rather using the best-quality data efficiently and effectively.
To build public trust, there must be an awareness that the data will be used in a way that protects privacy and also in a way that understands inherent strengths and weaknesses. Participants said that in the public policy arena, leadership must focus on improving agility and tailoring policy based on what the data finds.
Another concept that was raised frequently during the conference was the need to address “missed opportunities” by helping people become more “data literate.”
That includes helping Canadians better understand that the goal of using data is to make an impact and improve the lives of people, because some see stats and data as cold, detached and less human.
There must be more accountability for ensuring data is not used for delaying policy implementation or that it is used for deception or contortion.
The data must serve as the foundation for evidence-based solutions rather than “back-of-the-napkin” ones. And it must be used to “do right, not be right,” one panellist at the conference remarked.
There was widespread agreement that using data to inform sound public policy must become the norm, not the exception.
The conference heard that the use of data and evidence has become more urgent at a time of extreme polarization, when disinformation and misinformation are used as political tools.
