GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SUMMIT

Conference held in Ottawa on February 13, 14 & 15, 2006
Chairs: Garth Whyte, Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), Donald K. Belch, Stelco Inc.; Edwin F. Prior, TELUS Mobility; Paul D. Paton, Queen's University

CD-ROM: Ov. 10 hours of video presentations

To purchase, please contact Federated Press.

TRANSITION, EVOLUTION AND UNCERTAINTY

• The Kraft methodology: mission and principles of GR initiatives
• Core messages in developing and executing strategies
• Societal themes in delivery of the core messages
• Maximizing internal and external enablers
• The five categories of Kraft's GR priorities

"The Kraft Canada government affairs mission is to assist the business to achieve its goals in accordance and in alignment with existing, proposed or anticipated government policy, legislation, regulation, enforcement or other government initiatives."

Video: 35 minutes • Overheads

Taking your message to the hill: Effective committee presentations
David McInnes, MDS Nordion

• Considering your visit as a "performance"
• Enhancing your appearance: opening statement, written submission, Q&A
• Taking a broader approach: research and focus groups
• Positioning your message: addressing MP priorities
• Working with coalition partners

"Effective committee presentations centre on two essential requirements: Understanding the process and good communication."

Video: 26 minutes • Overheads

Developing a GR strategy in a time of transition and uncertainty
J. Stephen Andrews and Gar Knutson, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

• Key feature of government relations strategies in uncertain times
• Confronting and managing the challenges and opportunities of new governments
• Managing the energy and public infrastructure policy environment
• Understanding the agenda of the new government

"Managing effective relationships during a time of governmental change depends greatly on developing contacts with key political policy advisors, and in making an effort to understand the agenda of the new government."

Video: 24 minutes • Overheads

Lobbying a minority government
Garth Whyte, Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)

• Developing a clear win-win position
• Getting broad-based support
• Communication and lobbying strategy
• Talking to all political parties
• Working with the media
• Giving politicians credit

"Government lobbying is a process that demands preparatory work through surveys that develop a formal position, which is then followed by communication and political action."

Video: 40 minutes • Overheads

EXPANDING RELATIONSHIPS

Increasing clout and enhancing results with GR partnerships: A NAFTA-wide case study
Donald K. Belch, Stelco Inc.

• Building a case for a NAFTA-wide strategic partnership in steel
• Overcoming competitive differences and diverging mandates
• Consolidating the partners for a common goal
• Forming strategic international GR partnerships

"Addressing Canada's steel industry problems is a long-term process that demands an ongoing political agenda that can cement strategic international GR partnerships."

Video: 30 minutes • Overheads

Case study: Developing a successful multi-jurisdictional advocacy strategy
Stuart Johnston and Scott McCammon, Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)

• Advocacy issues: defining goals and messaging
• The communications plan
• Outcomes and successes
• Challenges and lessons learned

"To successfully lobby multiple jurisdictions, the OCC needed to develop advocacy strategies, which focused on keeping open lines of communication, forming partnerships, and understanding the needs and interests of your different audiences."

Video: 48 minutes • Overheads

Structuring GR and leveraging your economic importance: how to throw your weight around
Nick Masciantonio, Canadian Cable Telecommunications Association

• Communication in a minority government era
• Evaluating your business and policy objectives
• Prioritizing stakeholder concerns
• Communicating your position
• Maintaining a long-term vision

"Successful lobbying demands a mix of developing relationships, achieving maximum impact through effective communication, while at the same time strengthening your economic position.."

Video: 43 minutes • Overheads

Political insider panel: The low-down on engaging policymakers
Patrick C. Gagnon, Val Meredith, John Nunziata, and Lorne Nystrom, The Parliamentary Group

• Making parliament work
• The role of the MP in a minority government
• Approaching parties and parliamentarians
• Implementing a contact relations strategy with MPs
• Creating a caucus and setting the tone

"In a minority government situation, as the role of the MP is enhanced, it becomes increasingly critical for lobbyists to foster their strategies and partnerships with them to a higher level than before."

Video: 57 minutes • Overheads

Case study: Canada's mobile phone industry and the battle for wireless number portability
Edwin F. Prior, TELUS Mobility

• Wireless Number Portability (WNP) defined and how it came to Canada
• Determining the game plan: the Telus experience
• Working within the federal regulatory confines (Industry Canada and CRTC)
• Creating a PMO (Project Management Office)
• Lessons learned vis-à-vis regulators and competitors

"The introduction of Wireless Number Portability (WNP) into Canada showed how the lack of adequate preparation and the lack of communication with government regulators can bring on unnecessary interference and complications from the regulatory side."

Video: 33 minutes • Overheads

Debunking the myth of infinite big business influence
Thierry Berthoud, Alcan Inc.

• Lobbying: a fully professionalized function
• Lobbying and globalization
• The true influence of business: value creation
• Business and society: sustainability as a horizon
• The risks of the arrogance

"Lobbying presents an opportunity for a corporation, large or small, to exercise true leadership by partnering with political and societal interests in a responsible manner."

Video: 52 minutes • Overheads

Staying on the right side of the law: how to keep your federal and provincial lobbying above board
Guy W. Giorno, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP

• Keeping up with the federal lobbyists registration statutes
• Implications of the diminishing importance of "who you know"
• Understanding the Ethics Counsellor's 2001 ruling
• Corporate CEO reporting accountability on lobbying

"Changing trends towards increasingly stricter rules demands a shift in the mindset of the GR industry from the old-fashioned accessed-based lobbying to a more value-added stakeholder emphasis."

Video: 44 minutes • Paper 14 pgs. (2,498 words)

Political will or wilt: Lobbying governments with persistence, passion and patience
J. Anthony Stikeman, TACTIX Government Consulting Inc.

• Tapping the will, avoiding the wilt: GR efforts running at different speeds
• Four case studies: challenges, strategy/tactics used and lessons learned
• Conditions needed to engage Ministers to exercise political will

"The successful blueprint for government relations consists of first mapping out a strategy and action plan, and then following through with persistence, passion and patience to bring about that magic moment of change in political will."

Video: 44 minutes • Overheads

FINE-TUNING YOUR APPROACH

Partnering with provincial governments in a context of "asymmetrical" federalism
Peter Doig, Emera Inc.

• Asymmetrical federalism defined
• How to work when the system's out of balance
• Aligning business interests with provincial interests
• The Nova Scotia experience: diversity in approach
• Identifying and building on your common ground

"In an era of asymmetrical federalism, building strong networks, relationships, and knowing where your interests may align takes on increased significance."

Video: 38 minutes • Overheads

Managing controversy & government relations
Yves-Thomas Dorval, Imperial Tobacco Canada Limited

• How the "denormalization" wall was built
• How Imperial Tobacco hit the wall
• Lobbying context: marketing in a hostile environment
• Litigation issues in Canada and U.S.
• Proactive communications tactics

"Lobbying in a denormalization setting demands that a great emphasis be put on proactive countermeasures."

Video: 44 minutes • Overheads

• Ten tips for navigating the government relations legislative environment
• Your legal obligation: your responsibility
• Exercising due diligence to avoid strict liability offence
• Respecting the new federal five-year cooling off period

"The new culture of accountability in Parliament demands from lobbyists to be thoroughly aware of their responsibilities and reporting obligations at all times, while at the same time exercising careful due diligence."

Video: 43 minutes • Papers