As regulators institute public consultations, the following questions can serve as a quick reference for regulators to consider in assessing whether the most appropriate and effective mode of consultation has been adopted. Some of the questions to consider are:
- What resources are available for the consultation?
- Given the regulator’s financial and human resources, what form of consultation should be used to achieve the desired outcome? (e.g., formal published documents and written responses, individual meetings between interested parties and the regulator, public hearings, working groups of representatives of service providers and/or consumers to address particular questions, internet discussions on the regulator’s website etc.)
- Has sufficient and adequate time been allocated for the public consultation process?
- Is the consultation presented in a language/mode that the targeted stakeholders can readily understand and respond to?
- Does the consultation cover all the issues and questions that need to be addressed for the regulator to make an informed decision?
- Has the consultation been published in the relevant media so that it reaches the widest audience and ensures that all interested parties have access to the consultation?
- Does the consultation provide clear directions regarding submission of comments?
- Does the consultation provide for transparency? (e.g., publication of the consultation document, comments received, and the regulator’s final decision with reasoning)
- Has the regulator provided for treatment of submissions that contain confidential information?
- Has the regulator been providing adequate information to the media regarding its activities? (i.e., are stakeholders aware of its activities?)