Accord Canada provides public policy mediation, dispute resolution system design and education services; working with federal, provincial, local and first nation governments to design and implement dispute resolution processes to address a wide range of environmental and other public policy issues. The principal of Accord Canada is lawyer Craig Darling, who lives near Victoria, British Columbia.

Accord is dedicated to helping public agencies and the people they serve reach wise, fair and efficient decisions that stand the test of time. With a focus on preventing disputes, we design, convene and facilitate public participation processes, working with the decision-maker to establish the nature and scope of participation required, and involving the affected parties in joint assessment, process design and agreement building. When disputes arise, we provide mediation services designed to help the parties remove barriers to communication, explore differences frankly and negotiate agreements that respect everyone's needs. In large, multiparty, dispute resolution processes, we assemble and lead facilitation and mediation teams, comprised of the right people for the job. Results-oriented dialogue is the hallmark of our approach.

In our consulting practice, we assist public managers improve decision-making through inclusive and effective public participation processes, develop strategies for neutral intervention in protracted policy disputes and, enhance the flow of information about key policies and problems. We also design dispute resolution systems for organizations. This process includes evaluation of existing conflict management programs and systems, development of options for new systems, and assistance with implementation.

Our dispute resolution training program is delivered in association with Michelle LeBaron, a leading author and educator in the conflict resolution field. We offer highly participatory workshops, seminars and training programs. Working closely with clients, we develop and deliver courses in interest negotiation, mediation, the design of public participation processes, and the development of dispute resolution systems.