What on the Hill is going On??

1. What on the Hill is going On?? Overview of Government Relations/Advocacy in the Non-Profit Sector January 30, 2013

2. Overview of Government Relations/Advocacy • Definitions • Why is GR Important • A Framework for GR • Basics of Strategy

3. Origin of the Term - Lobbyist Initially (1600’s), petitioners would hang out in the corridors and reception rooms outside the British parliamentary chambers (the lobby) in which the legislature met, and try to talk to and persuade individual Members of Parliament to take up their cause as the Members walked in and out of the sessions. This area is now referred to as the “Tim Hortons”

4. Federal Definition of Lobbying Communicate with a Public Office Holder regarding: Introduction/amendment of any Bill or Resolution Introduction/amendment of any Regulation Development/amendment of any Policy or Program The awarding of any Financial Benefit The awarding of any Contract Scheduling of a Meeting You are able to request publicly available Information!

5. Advocacy vs. Lobbying When organizations advocate, they seek to affect some aspect of society, whether they appeal to individuals about their behavior, employers about their rules, or the government about its programs. Lobbying generally refers specifically to attempts to influence government decisions that is more rooted in self-interest.

6. Advocacy vs. Lobbying The distinction is helpful to keep in mind as the laws/regulations limiting the lobbying done by organizations may not apply to other advocacy activities. To confuse you further…. We will use the term Government Relations

7. Definition of Government Relations Communications with Decision-Makers to effect Outcomes (What?/When?) (Who?) (Why?)

8. Why is GR Important? 24 • Pythagorean Theorem • Gettysburg Address • Declaration of Independence • Charter of Rights & Freedoms 286 1,300 2,609

9. Why is GR Important? Regulation on the sale of cabbage…….. 26,911 Words!!!!!!!

10. GR –Shift From… As taxpaying citizen you expect your government(s) to fulfill certain responsibilities and evaluate governmental actions it terms of Wrong or Right

11. GR –Shift To… As a person acting in the interests of a corporate entity you need to view government(s) as rulemakerand view governmental actions through a lens of Losers & Winners

12. Classification Timeline Analysis (CTA) A process that involves determining what you are asking government for and then selecting a strategy(s) that incorporates your “ask” with where in the system your issue is.

13. Why CTA? By providing a framework for the process, it allows people to have a conversation about strategy and a basic foundation for developing risk analysis and evaluation mechanisms. GR strategy is still more art than science!!!!!

14. Classification/Timeline Analysis (CTA) Rules of the Game Selling to Martians Chasing Envelopes WHY? Policy Procurement Presents The first step is to define what category your “ask” is!

15. Procurement: Government as Customer Classic Marketing Issue: Product/Price/Promotion/Place “Determine needs and fill them better than the competition” Feds spend about $13 billion/year on goods and services

16. PROCUREMENT I used to be disgusted when I read those stories about the military buying $800 toilet seats… now I wonder if the company that sold them actually made any money! Source: Canadian company executive after 2 years of trying to sell to the government

17. PRE$ENTS….. The Feds give out over $26 Billion a year from over 50 Departments and Agencies from over 700 envelopes!!!!!!!!!!

18. Presents: Federal Money now comes with some Conditions… Capacity building for organizations unless directly aligned with the mandate of YOUR organization Research and polling activities not directly tied to the mandate of YOUR organization Governments don’t like to be criticized with their own resources (Court Challenges Program) There will increasingly be less and less in this envelope! Don’t bite the hand that feeds you!

19. POLICY: Definition Policy refers to all the legislation, regulation and guidelines that frame, and influence, the environment in which business operates. The RULES of the game!

20. Classification/Timeline Analysis (CTA) WHY? Policy Procurement Presents Issue of interpretation of regulations Drop existing/planned action Adopt new legislation/regulation Modernize/adjust existing rules Good Rules Bad Rules New Rules Sad Rules

21. Classification/Timeline Analysis (CTA) Policy - Good Rules Key GR Challenge: Getting government to interpret regulation differently You will be dealing with Bureaucrats, and the outcome will be based on facts. Don’t waste any political capital on this, a Minister will not overrule their officials. Use your Resources to put together the most persuasive argument(s) possible

22. Classification/Timeline Analysis (CTA) Policy - Bad Rules Key GR Challenge: Getting the government to drop existing, or planned, legislation Your chances of success will be dependent on where you are on the Legislative Continuum. Your argument will need to address the fact that the policy objective is not being met, and/or that the unintended consequences outweigh the benefits

23. Classification/Timeline Analysis (CTA) Policy - New Rules Key GR Challenge: Getting the government to adopt new legislation/regulations You are starting from below zero. You will need to convince policy-makers that there is an issue that requires a government intervention and that the solution that your legislative proposal represents is the best option. Try to find other jurisdictions that have similar approaches to yours

24. Classification/Timeline Analysis (CTA) Policy - Sad Rules Key GR Challenge: Getting the government to change existing legislation The government has already recognized the need to intervene, so you can concentrate on convincing them that the current rules are obsolete and need to be modernized

25. Classification/Timeline Analysis (CTA) On issues of Policy (Rules), it is important to understand where the issue is on the decision-making continuum and what the process for changing/modifying those rules would be.

26. GR Step 2: Determine where your issue lies GR Opportunities Casual Mention Formal Mention Formal Intention Request for Input Approval in Principle Formal Approval Draft Legislation House Committee Senate Committee Royal Assent

27. For every action… In government, nothing happens in a vacuum. Once you determine what you are “Asking” government for, you need to review who the other “Winners” would be and who the “Losers” would be. Always anticipate “Pushback”

28. GR Process Basics Clearly Define your “Ask” – Classify it! Align Interests (“Winners”) Anticipate Pushback (“Losers) Intervene as early as possible

29. Components of a GR Program • Government Activity Monitoring • Communications • Contact Programs • Issue Intervention • Events

30. Government Activity Monitoring The key consideration here is timeliness. The sooner you can identify an issue of potential concern the greater your chances of effecting the outcome.

31. Important Sources Campaign Platform Documents Speech From the Throne Budget Speech Departmental Plans and Priorities Ministerial Statements and Speeches Speeches by Senior Public Servants House and Committee Statements

32. Communications You have to be RIGHT, in the RIGHT way, with the RIGHT person, at the RIGHT time.

33. Partisan vs. Political Actions • At the foundation of Partisan Action is the notion of “us” vs. “them” with a overlay of “good” vs. “bad” • Political Action involves building ongoing relationships with all players that is driven by facts and aligns interests

34. Being Right….. Be factual, spin is tolerated but dishonesty is not. Put your argument in the best light possible, “Winners & Losers” provides more opportunity than “Right or Wrong” to stretch your argument(s).

35. In the Right Way… • Is this a bureaucratic or political decision? • Does it require legislative, regulatory or Order in Council (OIC)? • Speak Their Language • Understand Their Situation

36. With the Right Person… Provincial and Federal governments maintain an online directory (database) of all staff. You can search by: • Name • Department • Position • Etc.

37. At the Right Time… If you understand the financial and legislative cycles of government, you will be able to align your ask/intervention with the decision-makers requirements, timelines and deadlines.

38. Contact Programs Find your Natural Allies Know your Respective Ministers/Parliamentary Secretaries/Critics Know your Legislative Committee(s) Identify Key Bureaucrats

39. Most overlooked, minimized and under-valued question in the GR process….. What is Your Point?

40. Issue Intervention • Your “Point” should include: • Rationale for change you are seeking • Clear and realistic “Ask” • Reference to change mechanism/process

41. Issue Intervention • Never do any heavy lifting by yourself • Strength in numbers (Blowfish) • Use the media wisely

42. Events • Great potential for creative strategy • Increased Importance given new lobby rules • Provide Profile for key elected officials

43. The Government Relations (GR) Process • Determine your existing/potential points of contact with regulatory framework(s) and monitor the activities of government(s) • Identify potential friction points or areas for action • Determine the key “Asks” and points of resistance. Align interests of “Winners” and anticipate “Pushback” from “Losers” • Develop strategies for intervention and monitor outcomes against identified GR objectives