Welcome to Max Bell Foundation s Public Policy Training Institute. January 12-13, 2012 Jim Dinning

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1 Welcome to Max Bell Foundation s Public Policy Training Institute January 12-13, 2012 Jim Dinning

2 MBPPTI Why are you here? Public policy affects the work of voluntary organizations. Voluntary organizations affect public policy. For voluntary organizations, the ability to influence the actions of government is critical to achieving their mission. Whether it s by monitoring government activities, advocating/lobbying or strategic partnering, those who demonstrate they understand and can influence the public policy arena are better able to support those they serve. Being active on the public policy front is like building up a savings account. You never know when you might need to draw on your balance. It s easier to get people s attention about issues that affect your clients or services if your organization has already created a positive impression in the community and with decision-makers.

3 Influencing government actions Public policy is shaped by individuals and interest groups collaborating or competing to influence policy makers to act in a particular way. These people use a variety of tactics and tools to advance their aims, including advocating their positions publicly, educating supporters and the public and mobilizing allies to support their issue. Advocacy is influencing public policy through education, lobbying or political pressure. Advocacy groups try to educate the public and public policy makers about the nature of problems, what legislation or action is needed to address problems and the funding required to provide services. Although advocacy can be viewed as unseemly by some, public policy priorities are influenced by advocacy. Sound research data can be used to educate the public as well as policy makers, thereby improving the public policy process.

4 MBPPTI 2012 Program Session 1: Introduction To Public Policy; Calgary; January 12-13, 2012 (Faculty: Jim Dinning) ` Session 2: Research and Its Roles; Edmonton, February 9-10, 2012 (Faculty: Nancy Reynolds - President and CEO of the Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research; former Assistant Deputy Minister of Partnership and Innovation for Alberta Children's Services) Session 3: Developing and Analyzing Policy Options; Calgary; March 15-16, 2012 (Faculty: Roger Gibbins - President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation; former Department Head of Political Science, University of Calgary) Session 4: Informing and Engaging Decision Makers; Edmonton; March 29-30, 2012 (Faculty: Bob Wyatt - Executive Director of the Muttart Foundation; Co-Chair of the Voluntary Sector Initiative Joint Regulatory Table and Allan Northcott, Senior Program Officer, Max Bell Foundation) Session 5: Implementing, Monitoring, Evaluating; Calgary; May 16-17, 2012 (Faculty: Brenda Eaton - Chair, BC Housing Management Commission, former Deputy Minister to BC Premier Gordon Campbell, former Deputy Minister in Finance and Treasury Board; Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources; and Social Services) Session 6: Presentations from Participants; Edmonton; June 14-15, 2012

5 Introduction to Public Policy Introductions Faculty Why you need to talk to government Civics 101 Elections New government Legislature How it really works Cycles: 4 year and 1 year How policy is created Influences The asks Mentors A graduate s perspective: David Poulton Course outline: the next 4 sessions A professional s perspective on public policy & advocacy: Ken Boessenkool Assignments Farewell

6 MBPPTI Red Ensign Canadian Flag

7 MBPPTI Maple Leaf Canadian Flag

8 Theodore Roosevelt It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

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10 MBPPTI Diagram of the Public Policy Process

11 MBPPTI 10 Reasons to Talk to Government and Influence Public Policy From YMCA s HIPP Manual/Tool Kit 1. You want to advance your cause. Advocacy on policy issues directly assists those whom you serve. 2. Effective advocacy can advance your mission far beyond the people being served directly by your programs. 3. Governments want to hear from your organization. They re looking for knowledgeable and reliable partners who are close to real issues/problems and willing to work on solutions. 4. Governments do not have all the answers; a healthy democracy depends on the full participation of all sectors of society. Your organization has valuable experience and insights that can improve the effectiveness of government decisions and actions. 5. Government may be interested in partnering with you to achieve common goals.

12 MBPPTI Why Talk to Government and Influence Public Policy? 6. You want to build public trust. Speaking out increases the profile of your organization and people s understanding of what you stand for. 7. Your donors are asking if your organization is being effective. 8. Government has many resources that can be beneficial to your mission information, contacts, funding, and administrative/regulatory tools. 9. Government may be planning changes that can negatively affect your organization s ability to fulfill its mission. 10. If you don t share your views, someone else will. From YMCA s HIPP Manual/Tool Kit

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15 Alberta Government Departments Executive Council Advanced Education and Technology Agriculture and Rural Development Culture and Community Services Education Energy Environment and Water Finance Health and Wellness Human Services Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations Infrastructure Justice and Attorney General Municipal Affairs Public Affairs Bureau Seniors Service Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security Sustainable Resource Development Tourism, Parks and Recreation Transportation Treasury Board & Enterprise

16 Legislature Government Speaker Opposition Cabinet Policy Committees CPC s Cabinet Ministers Parliamentary Assistants Private Members Official Opposition Other Opposition Parties Standing Committees Appointed each session Legislature Committees Select Committees Appointed to study specific issues Committee of the Whole Detailed study of bills following second reading Committee of Supply

17 Canadian Legislative Process 1 st Reading Bill is introduced No debate; No vote Committee Stage Public Input (sometimes); Amendments are voted on 3 rd Reading Debate possible; Final Vote 2 nd Reading Debate on principle of bill and Vote Report Stage Amendments; Debate and Vote Bill Goes to Senate Steps repeated If passed Royal Assent Bill becomes law

18 Premier s / Prime Minister s Office Deputy Minister (Executive Council Office/PCO) Policy development Cross ministry coordination ministerial mandates/organization of government Senior appointments Chief of Staff (Premier s/pm s Office) Political strategy Tracking election promises Political dimensions of policy initiatives Priority setting Federal / provincial / international relations Communications

19 Cabinet Committees The work gets done here. Behind closed doors Current Cabinet Committees are: Agenda & Priorities Committee Treasury Board Energy Public Health & Safety Finance Community Development Education

20 Government Cycles are 4 years long Governments Elected for 48 months; Months 1-4: Familiarization Months 4-38: Activist Months 38-42: Patching and Filling Months 42-48: The Red Zone Where are we now? What is your target?

21 Annual Planning Cycle JULY-SEPT Cabinet/Caucus Planning Sessions JUNE Release Public Accounts & Annual Reports Communicate Key Priorities & Budget Call SEPT-OCT FEB-MAY Legislative session Throne Speech + Budget and 3 yr Business Plans FEBRUARY released Ministries prepare 3yr Business Plans CPC s and Treasury Bd review Business Plans NOV-JAN

22 Government Process Cabinet / Caucus / Political Realm Ministry Decides Minister Decides Policy Idea Ministry Work-up Agenda & Priorities Inter-ministry Committees Treasury Board Caucus Committees Government Action Caucus Cabinet Legislative Review

23 Party Policy Supporter Expectations Premier & Cabinet Priorities Media Interest Election Commitments Public Opinion Stakeholder Needs MLA Needs Regional Priorities Public Service Advice DECISION TO ACT Filters Budget Public Service Advice Cabinet Committees Legislative Agenda ACTION

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25 MBPPTI Ken Boessenkool Ken Boessenkool is in charge of National Public Affairs, GCI Canada. He provides strategic counsel and analysis regarding reputation and issues management, communications, government relations and corporate positioning. Ken has served as Senior Policy Advisor and strategist to National Conservative Leader Stephen Harper. He played a senior role in the Conservative election campaigns of 2004 and 2006 and 2011, and in three national leadership campaigns. He has also worked on leadership campaigns in Alberta and Ontario. Prior to working in Ottawa, Ken established an Alberta-based consulting practice, was Senior Economist with two Calgary-based electricity companies and also served as a policy advisor to two Alberta Finance Ministers. Also active in public policy, Ken has been an Adjunct Research Fellow as well as a Policy Analyst with the C.D. Howe Institute. He taught Canadian Public Finance at the University of Calgary and has published over thirty-five academic articles. His writings have appeared in Time Magazine, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Calgary Herald, Ottawa Citizen and other newspapers. He is currently a Research Fellow at the Sch of Public Policy at the Univ of Calgary. Ken was named one of Calgary s Top 40 under 40 in 2007 by Calgary Magazine. Ken is married and has four daughters.

26 The elected official Ten Tips: 1) Identify the REAL issue; 2) Your Timing is not the issue; 3) Know In Advance What They Know; 4) The entire Board of Dir. is not required; 5) Practice, practice, practice;

27 The elected official (cont d) 6) You are not in the Wallpaper business; 7) Elected officials and their staff can read! 8) Play Twenty Questions; 9) Ask about Process; 10) The Answer will be No Answer;

28 Working with Government Pay attention to politics; Pay attention to where they are in the cycles; Understand the frameworks in which they operate; There is a protocol and a roadmap for public policy development

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