Public Policy for Practitioners

Transcription

1 Public Policy for Practitioners What is it? What does it mean for charities?

2 Parachute Parachute is a national, charitable organization dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives. Parachute officially came into being in July 2012 with the union of four leading Canadian injury prevention groups: Safe Communities Canada, Safe Kids Canada, SMARTRISK and ThinkFirst Canada. Parachute s injury prevention programming and advocacy efforts are designed to help Canadians reduce their risks of injury while enjoying long lives lived to the fullest.

3 Our Vision An injury-free Canada with Canadians living long lives to the fullest.

4 Strategies Influence public policy through: Increased public awareness of knowledge and action regarding proper safety practices. Stimulated local action by providing services to those working in injury prevention at the community level. Advocacy for measures that will create safer environments and improve compliance with proper safety practices.

5 What s Public Policy? Public policy is about the people. Policy is a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by a government party, business or individual.

6 What s Public Policy? Public policy can be defined as a system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action, and funding priorities concerning a given topic to put into effect by a government or its representative.

7 What s Advocacy? Advocacy for injury prevention is The deliberate and strategic use of evidencebased information, the media, experts, human and other resources to shape the injury prevention policy landscape.

8 What is Government Relations? Becoming acquainted with government officials so that you can help them conduct their business of formulating and executing public policy. Dealing and communicating with legislatures and government agencies on behalf of an organization.

9 What is Government Relations? The application of one or more communications techniques by individuals or institutions to affect the decisions of government.

10 What is Lobbying? Government relations applies marketing and political techniques to the objectives of lobbying. A form of advocacy with the intention of influencing decisions made by legislators and officials in the government by individuals, other legislators, constituents, or advocacy groups.

11 Lobbying & Charities Charities can lobby The lobbying act(s) Government Relations Firms

12 Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada

13 Lobbying (cont.) The Lobbying Act principles: 1. Free and open access to government is an important matter of public interest; 2. Lobbying public office holders is a legitimate activity; 3. It is desirable that public office holders and the public be able to know who is engaged in lobbying activities; and 4. A system for the registration of paid lobbyists should not impede free and open access to government. The Code: 1. Respect for Democratic Institutions 2. Integrity and Honesty 3. Openness 4. Professionalism

14 Lobbying (cont.)

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16 How public policy is made Linear vs. context view Problem PUBLIC OPINION Evidence Knowledge Brokering & Transfer ELECTION CYCLE ACTION PERSONAL PREFERENCE ACTION CRISIS MANAGEMENT

17 Understanding Government Jurisdiction Decision-making process Current legislation, regulations and policy

18 Understanding Government Cycles of policy ª Agenda setting ª Policy decision-making/development ª Policy implementation ª Policy evaluation

19 Appealing to government Know their priorities and platform Make it relevant to them find a champion, learn about their constituency Highlight the Return on Investment ª Every $1 spent on a helmet saves $30 in health care costs.

20 Strategize If you re not at the table, you re on the menu

21 Strategize Choose tactics and approach Key messaging your ask Implement Evaluate and re-evaluate

22 Relationship building It s not what you know, it s who you know

23 Relationship building Due diligence Position yourself as a resource Political acuteness Follow protocol

24 Stakeholders

25 Working outside government

26 Look for policy windows Be an opportunist

27 Look for policy windows Passion, persistence and patience Context is everything Find a champion

28 Ski Helmets 2009: Death of Natasha Richardson 2009: Release of Vancouver Charter on Skiing Safety 2010: Concussions in winter sports become a focal issue 2011: Passage of Bill 131: Snow Sports Helmet Act (Nova Scotia) Next Steps: Adoption of legislation across Canada, Ski helmets that meet CSA standards

29 GR at Parachute Framework for deciding Parachute s role lead, partner, support Federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal Areas of focus all-ages, intentional and unintentional injuries ª Safe Kids Canada s topics ª Concussion ª Bullying ª Suicide prevention ª Substance abuse prevention ª Domestic abuse prevention ª Workplace safety ª Falls prevention (seniors) ª Aboriginal community

30 GR at Parachute Next Steps Identify issues Set priorities Identify policy makers Map strategy Select actions and resources

31 GR at Parachute Immediate Priorities Development of its strategic plan, emphasizing an action plan for each level of government ª establishment our GR mission statement Increase and insure funds for the development and execution of government relations and advocacy activities ª become a more visible presence at the political and bureaucratic level, within all levels of government, across Canada ª foster relationships through face-to-face meetings. Prioritize outreach and relationship building with governments outside of Ontario

32 Challenges in advocating for injury prevention Health care dollars are focused on disease NOT prevention. Canada spends less than 1% of health research dollars on injury research. Misperception or misunderstanding that injuries are accidents that can neither be anticipated or prevented. Reality is that most injuries follow a distinct pattern and are, therefore, predictable and preventable.

33 Tips for GR Focus on your audience Provide information in a clear, informative way Network Be patient

34 But Why???!!!!! Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. Plato