Resources -

Resources

Here are some useful resources geared towards Canadian non-profit organizations and charities to help you prepare a government relations strategy, refine your advocacy tactics, and develop strategic communications plans.

Government of Canada Resources

Electronic Directory Service
Directory of public servants and Ministers’ political staff across Canada
House of Commons Calendar

Advocacy / Strategic Communications Resources

Government of Canada Get Ready for Advocacy
Provides links to online resources relevant to the federal government, Parliament of Canada, and stakeholders.
Ontario Non-Profit Network Advocacy Toolkit – A Guide for Non-Profits to Meaningfully Engage Your Community
Detailed guide and tips & tricks for non-profit advocacy in Ontario.
Maytree Tools for Leaders & Organizers
Webinars and tools on strategic messaging, civic literacy, and local advocacy.
Charity Village Advocacy Blogs
Informative, short blogs on advocacy strategies and tactics.
CanadaHelps Creating a Communications Plan that Works
Workshop resources to help non-profits and charities develop communications plans.

Advocacy Networks & Training Tools

Advocacy School

Government Relations Institute of Canada

Public Affairs Association of Canada

News and Political Commentary Resources

National Newswatch

50 best Canadian political podcasts

Frequently Asked Questions

The Canadian Advocacy Network is here to help charitable organizations navigate complex public affairs landscape. Here are a few helpful tips:

What is the Canadian Advocacy Network’s purpose?

We are a connector. Consider us a bridge between Canadian charities and non-profits and public affairs professionals offering pro bono services. Created more than ten years ago, our aim is to help organizations enhance their advocacy efforts by understanding and navigating government
We know many non-profits do not have in-house expertise while many of our us and our public affairs colleagues are eager to offer our expertise.

What services are available to non-profits?

CAN offers a matching service with volunteer professionals who are willing to donate their time and expertise. Most often our network provides services such as government relations, media training, campaign strategy, event planning and strategy reviews. Let us know what you need and we’ll find
someone!

How can I volunteer with the Canadian Advocacy Network?

It’s as simple as sending us an email canadianadvocacynetwork@gmail.com. One of our board members will get in touch to learn more about you and your interest and will then match you with an organization that can benefit from your expertise. From there, you work directly with the organization to define the scope of work, time commitment, and ongoing engagement.

What are best practices for non-profits engaging with media?

Media engagement can generate positive results for charities and non-profits looking to increase profile, reach into the community and support for the organization. Sometimes this engagement is opportunistic, like when a particular issue arises and media are looking for commentary from relevant groups with a role or interest in the issue at hand. In these cases, non- profits and charities should be attentive to what issues are arising in the public realm, and when deemed appropriate, can reach out to media offering their perspective. In other cases, engaging with the media needs to be a proactive effort. Knowing which outlets or reporters are interested in covering issues related to your particular organization or set of issues is
helpful. Reaching out to ask for an introductory meeting over a coffee, to brief the reporter on your organization or issues is a great way to initiate a connection. It’s important to be strategic about media engagement. Media coverage can be beneficial for positioning your organization as a thought-leader or subject matter expert, which could translate into donations and other support. However, your organization needs to ensure you’re prepared with the time, processes, and messaging to sustain engagement and potentially critical examination.

What lobbying guidelines should non-profits know?

Any organization that has paid employees to lobby government needs to be registered. More information on assessing whether you need to be registered at a federal level is available here. Each province has their own guidelines as well. If there are any specific questions or concerns related to registering as a lobbyist, consulting with a lawyer who has background in lobbying compliance and associated regulatory frameworks is
advised. CAN is happy to suggest lawyers who would be able to assist. Please note that members of Boards of Directors do not need to be registered assuming they are volunteers and are not compensated by the organization.

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TIP: Want free, digestible insight on the latest political news from government relations and public affairs professionals? Many firms offer a free newsletter or podcast on their websites, providing a rundown of the latest political events and sharing a sneak-peek of their analysis that is typically only provided to clients. For example, check out Global Public Affairs, Summa Strategies, Crestview Strategy, Bluesky Strategy Group, Compass Rose, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, and Earnscliffe Strategies – among many others!