Between January 19-20, Us Now was screened for the first time in North America in a whirlwind tour that carried Us Now director Ivo Gormley and MASS LBP principal Peter MacLeod through Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.

The four showings were played to sold out audiences and public servants across the country watching through a government website.

Us Now is a film about Web 2.0 and the future of governance. The documentary tells the story of online networks that are challenging existing hierarchies by upending traditional models for civic action and public service delivery. It brings together many key thinkers to describe the future of governance.

Spirited and provocative discussions followed each screening. Moderated by Peter MacLeod, the panelists discussed many topics including the fracturing of the public sphere, the role of elected officials, pushback from entrenched power structures as well as the limitations of Web 2.0 collaborations.

MASS LBP is grateful to the panelists, premiere sponsors and national partners that made US Now in Canada possible:

Ottawa
Canada School of Public Service

David Hume- Citizen engagement advisor to the Government of British Columbia and MASS LBP associate
Mark Kuznicki- Principal, Remarkk & ChangeCamp
Maryanonett Flumian- Jarislowsky Chair in Public Sector Management, University of Ottawa
Peter Hughes- Manager, Strategy and Operatons Consulting, Deloitte

Toronto
Hart House at the University of Toronto

Dr. Gillian Kerr- President, RealWorld Systems Inc.
Mark Kuznicki- Principal, Remarkk & ChangeCamp
Terry Fallis- Novelist, author of Best Laid Plans
Jesse Hirsh- Internet strategist and broadcaster

Calgary
Alberta College of Art and Design

Rick Anderson- Director, Manning Centre for Building Democracy
Justin Waddell- Instructor, Alberta College of Art and Design
Maria Bekardjieva- Associate Professor, Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary
Grant Neufeld- Calgary Democracy Project

Vancouver
Harbour Centre at Simon Fraser University

David Eaves- Negotiation and public policy consultant, Eaves.ca
Dr. Gerri Sinclair- Executive Director, Masters of Digital Media Program, Great Northern Way Campus
David Beers- Founding editor, The Tyee; Lecturer, UBC School of Journalism
Alexandra Samuel- CEO, Social Signal

Regional Partners

Canada School of Public Service, University of Ottawa

School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Toronto
Hart House, University of Toronto

School of Public Policy, University of Calgary
Alberta College of Art and Design
Manning Centre for Building Democracy

Junxion Strategy
The Tyee
Centre for Dialogue
Simon Fraser University