ABSTRACT
Public participation professionals (PPPs) are usually perceived to be impartial actors dedicated to the service of the participatory process. In the context of strong commercialization, how are PPPs able to reconcile the interests of their clients, and of citizens, with their role as third-party actors? The survey of public participation firms and their study of the history of this field in Quebec (Canada) suggest that the rapid diversification of this industry has attracted firms with very different types of commitments to public participation.
