How the Canadian Advocacy Network Works

CAN has been developed as a connector, ensuring that charitable and not-for-profit organizations looking to access pro-bono services are able to be matched with interested professionals who want to volunteer their time and expertise.

Regardless of which side of the relationship you are on, the process to become engaged with CAN is simple. Fill in the information requested, tell us a bit about yourself and we go from there.

CAN’s function as a connector stops once an organization and CAN volunteer have met. From there on, the partnership is up to both parties to support, leverage and maintain. The CAN team provides best practices and advice to participants as necessary, but the structure of the pro-bono relationship is up to both parties to define in terms of parameters, time commitment, priority issues to focus on, etc.

It is important to note that any work between CAN and its partners is undertaken on a completely voluntary basis.

For Non-Profits
For Volunteers

Who We Are

The Canadian Advocacy Network (CAN) is a fully volunteer run, non-profit organization acting as a connector that ensures that charitable and not-for-profit organizations looking to access pro-bono services are able to be matched with interested professionals who want to volunteer their time and expertise.

CAN’s Board of Directors comprises a group of multi-partisan professionals who originate from across Canada. Many of us have been active in politics or government at some point in our careers, and currently work as executives, non-profit leaders, public affairs, and government relations professionals for a variety of organizations. We have come together to give back by offering a unique array of skills and help not-for-profit organizations achieve their external relations goals.

We believe that public affairs and policy making belongs to everyone.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Megan Stanley – Chair
Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations, Proof Strategies

Kristina Martin – Past Chair
Founder & CEO, Kit Public Relations Inc.

Hardave Birk – Treasurer
Director, Government Relations, Rogers Communications Inc.

Lori DeLuca – Communications Lead
Director, Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Invest Alberta

Philip Cartwright
Senior Vice President, Ottawa, Global Public Affairs

Jarett Lalonde
Director, Government and Public Affairs, FPX Nickel Corp

Fateema Sayani
Manager, Content and Strategic Communications, Mental Health Commission of Canada

Stacey Noronha
Public Affairs Specialist, Build A Dream

Gwendolyn Moncrieff-Gould
Policy Lead, Child Health Policy Accelerator, SickKids

 

For Non-Profits

Whether your organization needs help understanding a government policy, promoting a new idea or navigating parliamentary procedure, we can help.

CAN was created to provide support to organizations who do not have the resources to access these types of services.

The slate of services offered by CAN may range from government relations counsel and media training to campaign design, event planning and strategy review, among others:

  • Government Relations (federal, provincial, municipal)
  • Media Relations (including Press Engagement)
  • Website and Digital Communications
  • Crisis Communications and Issues Management
  • Strategic Advice and Counsel
  • Event Management and Logistics
  • Monitoring/Reporting (legislation, policy, etc)

* Please note the following before submitting your application:

  • CAN volunteers’ engagement is voluntary, and pro-bono in nature.
  • CAN volunteers will make clear the time they are able to provide you at the outset of your engagement, you will be responsible for establishing clear expectations and communications of your needs.
  • CAN volunteers do not provide services that would require registration under the Lobbying Act.
Submit your application!

For Volunteers

The Canadian Advocacy Network was created to give Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations the opportunity to access pro-bono services and expertise.

Whether your skill is crafting messages, designing campaigns, or understanding the inner workings of government CAN endeavours to connect you with an organization that needs your help.

CAN hopes to provide support to organizations who do not otherwise have the resources to access these types of services.

* Please note the following before submitting your application

  • As a CAN volunteer, the engagement is voluntary, and pro-bono in nature.
  • As a CAN volunteer, you will make clear the time you are able to provide at the outset of your engagement with the matched organization.
  • As a CAN volunteer, you do not provide services that would require registration under the Lobbying Act.
Join us!

Questions?

If you have any initial questions about participating on either “side” of a Canadian Advocacy Network relationship, we’re glad to answer them!

IMPORTANT – The Canadian Advocacy Network will never place unsolicited calls to individuals or organizations. As of July 2023, we are aware of individuals receiving unsolicited calls from an individual using the descriptor “Canadian Advocate”. Please be aware that these unsolicited calls are not associated with the Canadian Advocacy Network.

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