NADIM 2017
ADVOCATING AT A PROVINCIAL LEVEL
CANADA
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10 PROVINCES, 2 TERRITORIES, POP.- 35 M
EQUALITY OF WOMEN-Canadian Constitution
3 (4) LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT
FEDERAL, PROVINCIAL, REGIONAL, MUNICIPAL
FEDERAL-NATIONAL INTEREST- Immigration, Taxes,
National Defence, Postal Service, Employment Insurance
- PROVINCIAL-Health Care, Education, Social Services,
Judicial Matters, Correctional Facilities
- REGIONAL- (not everywhere)-Public Transit, Law
Enforcement, Affordable Housing
- MUNICIPAL- Local Roads, Water/Sewer
CANADA CONT’D
• Combination of all levels of government re funding of local
infrastructure, support of community spaces such as parks, trails,
community and cultural recreation centres
• GOVERNMENT OF CANADA WEBSITE
• WWW.CANADA.CA
• GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO WEBSITE
• WWW.ONTARIO.CA
STEPS FOR EFFECTIVE PROVINCIAL ADVOCACY
• Research to make sure it’s a Provincial issue
• Find out who your local elected official is – Postal Code
• Members of the Provincial Legislature have Riding Offices which
are Non-Partisan—Elected Officials are held accountable to all of
their constituents
• Decide your approach—are you going to write your elected
official or call the office to request an appointment?
• If you choose to write make sure you include your name and
address
• in your correspondence clearly outline your concern and include
what action or next steps you would like to see taken
ADVOCACY CONT’D
• If meeting in person bring along a summary of your concern and
action desired—try to keep it to 2 pages—help them to help you.
• In person meetings are usually 30 mins. Be ready to make your
‘pitch’—practice beforehand, be ready for questions-be
PASSIONATE
• Many levels to navigate- staff, Elected Official (MPP), staff,
influencer, decision-maker. TEAM effort
• Follow-up by telephone or email—be patient but PERSISTENTyour request is one of many—be friendly
• Have more information ready for their use if it is needed as your
concern proceeds through government channels
ADVOCACY CONT’D
• If your MPP is a member of the party governing then their job is
to make the government look good. Similarly if your MPP is in
opposition then they want to make the government look bad.
• Consider forming alliances with others to increase your influence
on your MPP—these can take many forms
• If your MPP is not receptive to your concern—go to another in
your area—maybe enlist constituents from other ridings close by
• Personalize your ‘ask’—support it with local statistics—media
attention
• If it’s a local issue—partner with your Regional or Municipal
government
• Visibility, social media
ADVOCACY CONT’D
• Three P’s—PASSIONATE, PATIENT BUT PERSISTENT!
• THANK YOU to the following individuals:
• Brenda Halloran, former Mayor of the City of Waterloo, former
member of the Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo
• Elizabeth Clarke, ED of the Kitchener-Waterloo YWCA, member
of the Regional Council of Waterloo, member of the Zonta Club of
Kitchener-Waterloo
• Kelley Milne, Executive Assistant to the Honourable Raj Saini, MP
for the riding of Kitchener-Centre
• Presentation of Connie Deckert, Zonta Club of KitchenerWaterloo-Saturday, June 3, 2017