Context of Advocacy In Canada
Legitimacy
The term lobbyist carries a loaded connotation, often tainted with preconceived notions of corruption and disdain for lobbyists and their political friends. Unfortunately, misconceptions and unfavourable presumptions about lobbying and government relations have become a reality.
Admittedly, corporate lobbying has earned a tarnished reputation, and it would be disingenuous to deny that some of the negative perception is justified. The media love sensational stories of lobbying malpractice and political corruption. This perpetuates the view that lobbying is an inherently grim aspect of politics. However, these high-profile cases are aberrations rather than the norm.
In truth, the majority of government relations activity in Canada is legitimate, albeit often operating below the public radar. It is a vital component of the democratic process, enabling individuals and organizations to advocate for their interests within the framework of our governance. Yet, the media's preference for salacious narratives and politicians' reluctance to openly acknowledge the importance of government relations have contributed to the persisting misconception.
At the heart of government relations is effective communication between legislators, public servants, political staff, other stakeholders, the media, and the public. However, government relations advocacy is more than telling the government what you want. It is understanding what is possible, who is responsible and accountable, and, possibly most relevantly, knowing precisely what your organization really needs. Lobbying is the sharp edge of government relations. It is the active, visible part of communicating with officials. But it should not be the first part. The direct lobbying phase is really the enactment of an advocacy plan. The better the plan, the better the results are likely to be.
While advocacy may, at face value, seem to be a selfish pursuit, in reality, it helps promote better government. The primary objective is to facilitate effective dialogue, promote understanding, and exchange information among these stakeholders, ultimately contributing to informed decision-making and the development of better public policy. This process offers mutual benefits to all parties involved. Elected officials gain valuable insights into the needs and concerns of various interest groups and constituents through government relations.
Officials, such as civil servants and agency heads, also benefit from government relations. They receive valuable input from external stakeholders, including industry representatives, advocacy groups, and community organizations. This input enhances their ability to design and implement effective, efficient policies that align with the broader goals of the government.
Government relations advocacy greatly benefits the public by enabling their voices to be heard and considered in the policy-making process. While voters can always and should express their individual concerns to the government, the aggregation of their interests through groups such as unions, community, trade, and professional associations strengthens their voice. Through these efforts, individuals and organizations can effectively advocate for their interests, share relevant data and expertise, and actively contribute to shaping public policies that address societal needs and concerns.
As noted earlier, direct lobbying is a key component of government relations, providing organizations with a legitimate avenue to represent their interests in the policy arena. Legitimate lobbying involves constructive dialogue, the provision of information and expertise, and presenting well-informed perspectives to policymakers. It allows organizations to promote their positions, share insights and research, and engage in constructive dialogue. By presenting evidence-based arguments, organizations assist policymakers in making well-informed decisions that consider the diverse perspectives and interests of various stakeholders.
It is essential to distinguish legitimate lobbying from influence peddling. Legitimate lobbying focuses on providing information, expertise, and perspectives to policymakers, while influence peddling seeks to unduly manipulate or corrupt the decision-making process. Transparency, ethical practices, and adherence to relevant regulations are crucial for government relations professionals to uphold the legitimacy of lobbying.
Throughout the policy process, government relations advocacy by interest groups also plays an essential role as a facilitator of information flow, feedback, and expertise between stakeholders and government officials. Government relations professionals contribute by providing insights into the potential impacts and implications of proposed policies, aiding in the development of well-crafted and effective legislation.
This view is supported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which notes, "Lobbying in all its forms, including advocacy and other ways of influencing public policies, is a legitimate act of political participation. It gives stakeholders access to the development and implementation of public policies. Lobbyists, as well as advocates and all those influencing governments, represent valid interests, and they bring to policymakers' attention much-needed insights and data on policy issues.”
Advocacy vs Lobbying
Despite their frequent confusion, lobbying and advocacy are two different ideas. The phrase "advocacy" is more general and includes a variety of actions used to advance a cause or problem, including arranging events, educating the public, and carrying out research. Conversely, lobbying is the sharp end of government relations. It usually entails reaching out to senior lawmakers or government representatives directly in an effort to sway legislation or policy decisions during the end phase of policy development.
A simplified distinction between advocacy and lobbying is that the former is mostly proactive and positive with a general area of focus, while the latter tends to be reactive, specific to a particular law, regulation, or government decision, and sometimes negative. As noted earlier as well, lobbying can be seen as a subset of the whole realm of advocacy. In essence, not all advocacy is lobbying, but all lobbying is advocacy.
Advocacy, however, is not a leisurely pursuit. It requires dedication, hard work, and an understanding of the evolving landscape. Fortunately, advancements in technology have democratised lobbying, empowering individuals and small organizations on limited budgets to now have a voice in shaping public policy decisions.
While there are many good books on government relations theory, they tend to focus predominantly on the United States, raising questions about the role of "big money" in the system. Additionally, various trade associations, environmental organizations, and professional groups have published manuals to assist their members in lobbying efforts. These resources undoubtedly have value, but they often lack a comprehensive framework for undertaking a sustained overall advocacy program. Combining the information provided in this book with perseverance and hard work may not guarantee victory in every endeavour, but it will undoubtedly increase a group's chances of making a meaningful impact on decision makers and contributing to the democratic process.
Context of Advocacy in Canada
With a constitutional monarchy, the Canadian government is a federal parliamentary democracy. This means we have a parliamentary form of government, with the King serving as the head of state, the Prime Minister as the head of the federal government, and Premiers as heads of the provincial and territorial governments. The rights of Canadian citizens are delineated in the Canadian Constitution, along with the authorities and duties of the federal and provincial governments.
Ten provinces, three territories, and the federal government are the primary targets of government relations in Canada. Each has its own separate legislative assembly and government infrastructure. Provincial governments are in charge of matters like healthcare, education, and natural resources, while the federal government handles matters like immigration, foreign affairs, and defence.
There are multiple political parties in Canada, each with its own platform and set of policies, which define the country's multi-party system. While there are a number of smaller parties, including the New Democratic Party and the Bloc Québécois, the two major parties in Canada are the Liberal Party of Canada and the Conservative Party of Canada. The Liberal and Conservative parties generally compete for power at the national level, while more regional parties such as the New Democratic Party, Bloc Québécois, and Saskatchewan parties often form government in the provinces.
It's critical to be aware of the political climate in each individual Canadian province and territory in order to effectively advocate to the government. When promoting particular policies or projects, it is important to consider the distinct political culture, history, and interests of each location. For instance, Quebec's distinctive culture and language frequently have an impact on the province's politics in regards to linguistic rights and sovereignty. Alberta and British Columbia have a history of alienation from central Canada. So the political messaging that works in one jurisdiction may not be successful in others.
Fortunately, the process for making public policy is very consistent across all Canadian jurisdictions. A solid grasp of the parliamentary process, in addition to knowledge of local political cultures and agendas, is essential for success. Finally, attaining advocacy goals will also depend critically on forging strong bonds with important government stakeholders like employees, bureaucrats, and elected officials within the system. This entails building rapport by being open and honest about your aims and objectives and by offering insightful data that might support policy choices.
Representative vs Responsible Government
Much of the criticism aimed at lobbyists comes from people's perceptions of their experiences in the United States. It is important to clarify the distinction between the two systems. The US has a president, a congress and senate, state governors, and state legislative assemblies. As noted earlier, in Canada, we have a prime minister, a national parliament (including a senate), provincial and territorial premiers, as well as provincial and territorial legislative assemblies. Both countries also have a system of courts that acts as a third branch of government with the role of interpreting laws created by the other branches. While they may look similar, the two systems of government are actually very different. This is critical to know before starting a government relations advocacy effort in Canada.
An essential component of all parliamentary systems is cabinet government. Executive power is given to a cabinet under the direction of a head of government, such as the prime minister or premier. The head of government, who is typically chosen from among elected members of parliament or the legislative assembly, appoints senior ministers to the cabinet. These ministers manage particular government departments and are crucial in developing policies, making choices, and ensuring that they are carried out. Effective governance benefits from their knowledge and experience.
A fundamental tenet of cabinet administration is responsible governance, which ensures that the executive branch is answerable to the elected legislators. Since the cabinet is jointly accountable for its choices and deeds, it must continue to enjoy the support of the legislature's majority in order to hold onto power. The cabinet, by tradition, must always appear united. Internally, cabinet members disagree strongly with one another, but for the public, they must maintain solidarity. This is an important thing to consider when working with government departments. While various government staff or organizations may hold differing views on a particular policy direction, once the cabinet has made a choice, the rest of the government will fall in line to maintain the perception of solidarity.
The American system of cabinet governance, sometimes referred to as the separation of powers, is likewise very different. The president or governor serves as the leader of the executive branch in the American system, which separates the executive and legislative branches. The president or governor is elected separately and does not rely on legislative support to establish a government, in contrast to cabinet government, when the head of government is chosen from the legislature. There are, of course, merits to both these systems of government, but the parliamentary responsible government model significantly impacts how effective government relations are done in Canada. Tools that work in the USA may not be as useful in Canada.
In Canada, the role of party discipline is crucial due to the necessity of maintaining a legislative majority to wield executive power. In Canada, elected officials maintain close ties to their party caucuses, and party loyalty usually influences their voting habits. This strict party control significantly impacts lobbying strategies, as lobbyists must navigate party dynamics and cultivate relationships within the leadership of political parties to effectively advocate for their interests.
Conversely, the United States operates within a system characterised by the separation of powers and a higher degree of autonomy for individual legislators. In the past, American legislators have acted with more independence in making decisions, frequently following the opinions of their constituents and their own personal convictions. This decentralised power structure provides lobbyists with the opportunity to engage directly with individual legislators, emphasising the importance of cultivating personal relationships to advance their policy objectives.
In both Canada and the US, lobbyists can also help their efforts by building relationships with party leaders and key decision-makers within the political party structure to influence policy outcomes. Understanding party politics, coordinating with caucus members, and aligning lobbying efforts with party priorities are also key elements of successful lobbying strategies.
