Table 2Analyzing the feasibility of citizen participation in an HIA

DECISION-MAKING CONTEXT / Completely disagree / Disagree / More or less disagree / Don’t know / More or less agree / Agree / Completely agree
The policy arouses scientific controversy and, consequently, the HIA would benefit from a citizen perspective. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
The policy arouses political controversy and, consequently, the HIA would benefit from a citizen perspective. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
The policy raises an ethical and/or social dilemma and, consequently, the HIA would benefit from a citizen perspective. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
The decision-making timeline allows for the implementation of a citizen-participation strategy. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
Other: / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT / Completely disagree / Disagree / More or less disagree / Don’t know / More or less agree / Agree / Completely agree
The organization conducting the HIA has a specific mandate to include citizen participation. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
The organization conducting the HIA has the necessary autonomy for developing a citizen-participation strategy. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
Access-to-information legislation would not interfere with a citizen-participation strategy. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
The organization conducting the HIA has the necessary human resources for developing a citizen-participation strategy. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
The organization conducting the HIA has the necessary financial resources for implementing a citizen-participation strategy. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
The organization conducting the HIA has the necessary expertise for implementing a citizen-participation strategy. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
The leadership within the organization conducting the HIA supports development of a citizen-participation strategy. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
Other: / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
COMMUNITY CONTEXT / Completely disagree / Disagree / More or less disagree / Don’t know / More or less agree / Agree / Completely agree
Civil society actors are asking (or are likely to ask) to be involved in the HIA process. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
A participatory culture exists within the community. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
Other: / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
POLITICAL CONTEXT / Completely disagree / Disagree / More or less disagree / Don’t know / More or less agree / Agree / Completely agree
The political leadership supports development of a citizen-participation strategy. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
Historically, a relationship of trust exists between the government and the community. / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □
Other: / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □ / □

Source: Gauvin, F.-P. (2013). Developing a Citizen-Participation Strategy for Health Impact Assessment. Practical Guide. Montréal, Québec: National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy. p. 6-7.