This study aims to instigate a paradigm shift in how we think about technological futures. At present, technologies are often treated as sources of potential harm to be managed by governments and subject experts. But this study takes a different view. Technological choices are social choices, and part of broader sociopolitical and sociocultural phenomena. As such, decisions about technology should be made by society as a whole before these technologies become widely adopted. To explore this, the study uses “Technology Assessment” (TA) as a foundational concept through which collective action on technological choices can take place.
Focusing on the Canadian context, the research traces the landscape of TA from past to present. It identifies the Science Council of Canada (SCC) as the key institution in the past and highlights Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Foresight as today’s main TA-like activities. Through this exploration, the study examines both the challenges and opportunities for establishing a participatory TA mechanism in Canada. Key challenges include the fragmentation of TA functions under the Governor in Council, the historic push to empower the private sector, Canada’s reliance on the U.S., and the dominance of evidence-based policymaking.
At the same time, the study also finds promising ground from which participatory TA can begin to take root. These include Canada’s demonstrated readiness from both past and present, its strengthening ties with Europe and its policy models, and a broader shift from evidence-based to mission-driven policymaking. Recognizing these opportunities and the timeliness of the moment, the study proposes a policy deliberation process called Participatory toward Anticipatory (PtA), designed to support public involvement in technological development and policymaking. Finally, the paper concludes with insights from prototype testing of the PtA process, demonstrating how it can enable meaningful public participation in shaping technological futures.

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