Advisory & Oversight Group

The Advisory and Oversight Group exists to assist the Chair of the Assembly by providing impartial advice on the proceedings of the Assembly, the design of its curriculum, including the range of presentations, and to respond to any concerns from Assembly members and the public related to the conduct and impartiality of the Assembly itself.

The AO Group include members with expertise related to territorial governance, electoral systems, community engagement, and historically underrepresented communities.

The AO Group has a consultatory and coordinating role rather than a decision-making role. The Assembly Chair will chair the AO Group.

Responsibilities 

Program and curriculum development 

The Advisory and Oversight Group will review the Assembly’s proposed curriculum and consider the range of presentations that will occur.  The Group should be confident that the Assembly process is sensitive to the local context and that Assembly members will gain a reasonable understanding of the issues related to electoral reform. They should also ensure that the members will have the opportunity to hear from a range of stakeholders who offer different perspectives.

Assembly attendance 

Advisory and Oversight Group members are welcome but not expected to attend meetings of the Assembly as observers.

Citizens’ Assembly member recourse 

If a member of the Citizens’ Assembly is dissatisfied with the process or the conduct of the Chair or any member of the facilitation team, they can bring their concern to the Advisory and Oversight Group. The group will consider the concern and, if appropriate, name one of the Group who can work to resolve the concern in a reasonable fashion.

Public recourse 

If a member of the public has concerns with the process or the conduct of the Chair or any member of the facilitation team, they can bring their concern to the Advisory and Oversight Group. The Group will consider the concern and respond to the individual.

More info: AO Group Terms of Reference

Group Members

Kelvin Leary is a retired Yukon civil servant, who most recently served as the Deputy Minister of the Executive Council Office. He spent over 30 years in the Yukon and federal public service and is still involved in mentoring public service leaders.

Marjan Ehsassi is the Executive Director of the Federation for Innovation in Democracy – North America (FIDE-NA). She is a governance and democratic innovations expert. She completed her Doctorate in International Affairs at Johns Hopkins University and has researched and supported the design and implementation of citizens’ assemblies in Europe and North America.

Lindsay Cornell is the Executive Director of BGC Yukon. She has lived and/or worked in every Canadian province and territory, and has spent her career in youth justice and advocacy. Lindsay holds a Master of Science degree in social science from the University of Edinburgh and sits on many Yukon boards and committees.