MASS LBP
MASS LBP is a Toronto-based civic design firm founded in 2007 that specialises in designing and running citizens' assemblies, civic lotteries, and deliberative public engagement processes. It takes its name from the French phrase masse de manœuvre — a reserve force held back for decisive deployment.
MASS LBP has completed over 50 "reference panels" (their term for mini-publics) for governments, institutions, and organisations across Canada and the United States. Their work spans planning, policy, infrastructure, healthcare, and governance reform.
Key projects include:
- Ontario Citizens' Reference Panel on Electoral Reform (2007) — one of the first large-scale citizens' assemblies in Canada, recommending Mixed Member Proportional representation
- Multiple reference panels for the City of Toronto on infrastructure priorities and civic issues
- Work with Infrastructure Ontario, Waterfront Toronto, and other major public bodies
- Better Transit Citizens' Reference Panel — engaging Torontonians on transit priorities
MASS LBP's methodology draws heavily on sortition — random selection to create a representative cross-section of the public — combined with structured deliberation, expert testimony, and facilitated small-group discussion. Their practice emphasises the quality of the deliberative process over the quantity of participants.
Links
- Website: masslbp.com