SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE OTTAWA WITNESS GROUP PUBLIC TEACH-IN, SAINT PAUL'S UNIVERSITY, OCTOBER 3 - 4, 2003

On October 3 and 4, the OWG held a public Teach-in at Saint Paul's University on accountability in policing and the need to ensure community oversight in order to protect freedom of expression in an increasingly restricted political environment. Approximately 40 people attended the event.

The two-day teach-in focused on the following issues:

Highlights of the Teach-in included: OWG subsequently developed and approved an action plan to guide their activities for the next several months. The action plan includes:

1. legislative initiatives involving:

2. lobbying initiatives involving: 3. media works to accompanying these initiatives;

4. measures to ensure sustainability such as incorporation as well as recruitment and retention activities; and

5. outreach activities to gain additional visibility and understanding of the work of the OWG.