Well-being Measurement Act: Background and Implications

March 15, 2016 - This was presented to the Standing Committee on Health and Wellness of the Prince Edward Island Legislative Assembly.

For more information visit: www.peterbevanbaker.ca/wellbeing

Transcript

1. Background and implications Office of the Third Party 15 March 2016 Peter Bevan-Baker, MLA, Leader of the Third Party Patrick Lévêque, Legislative Assistant
2. Decide how we use the resources of a society  Overall goal: Improve the lives of Islanders How do we make the best policy?  Evidence-based decision making What evidence are we using? How do we measure progress?
3.  Annual Statistical Review ◦ Collection of economic indicators ◦ Very few social and health indicators ◦ NO environmental indicators  “Since it is the most complete source of information available, the Annual Statistical Review is used by government to make important policy decisions. It helps us determine where, when, and how to best deliver programs and services to Islanders.”  (Hon. Allen Roach, Press Release, 24 June 2015)
4.  Economic indicator that measures total value of goods and services in economy ◦ Tells us the size and health of an economy  Assumption: ◦ higher GDP = higher quality of life
5. Strengths Weaknesses  Good measure of size and health of economy  Income is an important determinant of well- being  Externalities ◦ Social, health, environmental, sustainability, resource depletion  Does not account for inequality  Some bizarre effects ◦ Ex: Crime and natural disasters increase GDP
6. 0 5 10 15 20 25 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 % of population GDP (millions of 2015 $) Gross domestic product at market prices (2015 $) Percentage of persons in low income (Low income measure after tax) Data: Statistics Canada (CANSIM Tables 384-0038 and 202-0802)
7.  Introduced in Bhutan in 1972  Proposed policies must pass GNH review  Spiritual/cultural aspects difficult to quantify  Inspired future well-being developments in Canada, USA, Thailand, Brazil, UK, South Korea, India, Dubai, and the UN and OECD
8.  Modifies GDP to account for environmental and social costs of production (externalities)  NS GPI components: ◦ Time Use ◦ Living Standards ◦ Natural Capital ◦ Human Impact on the Environment ◦ Human and Social Capital
9.  Measures how well governments provide for social and environmental needs of citizens 1. Exclusively social and environmental indicators 2. Outcomes not inputs 3. Holistic and relevant to all countries 4. Actionable 54 indicators in 3 main categories
10. Comparing EU regions Comparing neighbourhoods in Bogotá, Colombia
11.  Developed through extensive public consultation across Canada
13.  Well-being goals ◦ Informed by 5-year “national conversation”
14.  Requires public bodies to: ◦ Set and publish “well-being objectives” based on the well-being goals ◦ Take steps to meet those objectives  Subject to examination by Auditor General and Future Generations Commissioner
15.  Based on previous Canadian Well-being Measurement Acts ◦ Canada Well-being Measurement Act  2000-01 Liberal Motion/PMB; 2012 Green PMB ◦ Nova Scotia Well-being Measurement Act  New Democrat PMB, 2001  Enable the adoption/creation of a well-being measure ◦ Through public consultation – let Islanders determine what’s most important
16. 1. Legislature passes Bill •Standing Committee on Public Accounts directed to conduct study 2. Public Accounts study to develop indicators •Consult with organizations and experts •Consult with the public •Report back to Legislature in 1 year 3. Legislature adopts report •Create a management committee •Develop and publish the indicators annually (1st within 1 year) •Minister prepares annual report evaluating well-being (1st within 90 days)
17.  Challenges ◦ Cost and effort of collecting new data  Opportunities ◦ Lots of data already collected by Departments and Statistics Canada ◦ Partnerships with research institutions (Island Studies)
18.  Improved decision-making process ◦ Better policy outcomes  Clear strategic direction for government ◦ Break down silos between departments  Improved accountability and transparency  PEI as a leader in a growing global movement
19.  People ◦ Shifts focus to quality of life  Prosperity ◦ Better quality of life => population retention  Engagement ◦ Public influence on decision-making process ◦ Improved accountability and transparency Based on Liberal Party of PEI, Policy Platform 2015
20. Use WBMAct process to:  Select/adapt best alternative for PEI  Establish well-being goals  Establish Well-being Duty
21. Robert Kennedy (1968) Gross National Product counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for our doors and the jails for the people who break them... Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country, it measures everything in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.