CKC Government Relations and Resources
Government Communications resources provided by CKC include tips on how to communicate effectively with legislators. You can share these tips with friends, policymakers, club members, dog owners and breeders. Stay informed and help be an advocate for dog related issues that are important to us all.
10 Tips to Help You Communicate Effectively with Elected Officials
In today's dynamic landscape, CKC members are encouraged to use their collective voice to engage with elected officials effectively, and preferably before an issue arises. Effective engagement with decision-makers can pave the way for key policy changes and assists in establishing CKC and members as credible stakeholders.
To support your efforts, we've listed ten essential steps to take when engaging with elected representatives.
- Identify your representatives: It's crucial to identify and be knowledgeable about your federal, provincial, and municipal representatives, including Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the Provincial Parliament (MPPs, MLAs, MNAs), and municipal councillors.
- Take an interest in your elected official: Before you engage with an election official, find out about his or her past positions, professional background, interests, and parliamentary responsibilities. Also, ensure that you are familiar with applicable policies, regulations, and legislation.
- No elected official? No problem! Instead of the elected official, you may be offered a meeting with a member of the team. Don't turn down such an opportunity! Political staff have a definite influence on elected officials. Making a good impression with them is sure to open doors for you.
- Structure your presentation: Who are you? What are your issues? What action do you want to take, and why? Have a clear call to action for your elected official and get to the point.
- Quickly set the stage for the meeting: Your contact(s) will decide within the first five minutes whether you deserve their attention. Your initial meeting should include three key messages of your issues and your desired action.
- Maintain respect, and professionalism: Uphold the highest standards of politeness and professionalism throughout all your interactions, even when delving into challenging subjects.
- Stick to your key messages: Nothing is more confusing for elected officials and their teams than a meeting that seems to go in all directions and touch on all subjects. Make sure you stay on message and avoid making secondary requests that are not the elected official’s responsibility.
- Credibility: Build trust and credibility by familiarizing yourself with applicable policies, regulations, and legislation. Offer solutions if appropriate and cite examples from existing and proposed legislation, in addition to evidence-based research.
- Don't insist on an immediate response: Sometimes, an elected official will need to think things over, find out more, or talk to their teams or colleagues/ministers in their party following your meeting. Insisting on an immediate commitment could make them uncomfortable.
- Maintain momentum: After the initial contact, ensure consistent follow-up with your elected representatives to provide supplementary information, propose constructive solutions, and show appreciation for their support.
Remember that you represent the purebred dog community when you interact with elected officials. By following these suggestions, members can communicate effectively, build trust and credibility, champion CKC and purebred dogs, and influence policies, regulations and legislation that impacts members and the health and wellbeing of all dogs.
A Guide to Writing Effective Letters to Politicians
As a member of the Canadian Kennel Club, your voice matters, and one powerful way to advocate for the issues that are important to you and the canine community is by writing custom letters to politicians. Whether it's about canine welfare, dangerous dog legislation, or other relevant issues, a well-crafted letter can make a significant impact.
This guide will help you navigate the art of crafting a letter to politicians. Remember that many people can use the same sample letter, making it more impersonal. Using custom letters instead of sample letters is a more efficient way to get your message heard by politicians.
Section 1: Preparing to Write
Identify Your Issue: Clearly define the issue you want to address. Be specific and concise.
Select the Right Recipient: Determine which politician is responsible for the issue you're addressing. Make sure you are addressing the right level of government.
Gather Information: Collect relevant data, statistics, and supporting evidence for your argument.
Section 2: Structuring Your Letter
Heading: Use your name and address at the top of the letter. Include the politician's name and address beneath it.
Salutation: Address the politician properly, using "Mr." or "Ms." and their last name.
Introduction: State who you are, your affiliation with the Canadian Kennel Club, and the purpose of your letter.
Body of the Letter:
State Your Concern: Clearly and succinctly state your issue. Explain why it's important, providing relevant facts and examples.
Personal Story: Share a personal experience or story related to the issue. This humanizes your letter and makes it more relatable.
Proposed Solutions: Offer specific, actionable solutions or suggestions for addressing the problem.
Supporting Evidence: Cite relevant data, studies, or expert opinions to back up your arguments.
Highlight Impact: Explain how the issue affects the dog breeding community or purebred dog community at large.
Clear call to action: Express what kind of action you wish you elected official will take on the issue.
Conclusion: Summarize your key points and restate your request or desired outcome. Request a reply to your letter.
Signing off: Insert a polite greeting. Write and sign your name.
Section 3: Polishing Your Letter
Clarity and Brevity: Keep the letter clear, concise, and to the point. Avoid jargon and overly complex language. The letter should not be longer than 1 ½ page long.
Tone and Respect: Maintain a respectful and courteous tone throughout the letter, even if you disagree with the politician's stance.
Proofreading: Check for grammar and spelling errors. A well-written letter is more likely to be taken seriously.
Government Resources:
How a Bill Becomes Law in Canadian Provinces
An essential component of Canada's democratic system is the procedure by which a bill becomes legislation in a province. Each Canadian province has a separate legislative assembly where new laws, or bills, are discussed and eventually made into binding law. The main steps of the Canadian provincial legislative process are outlined below.
First Reading
- When a member of the Legislative Assembly, whether a minister or a rank-and-file member of the legislature, submits a bill (called tabling a bill), the process officially begins at first reading.
- During the first reading, there is a preliminary discussion and voting on the principle of the bill.
- The bill moves on to the second reading if the majority of the members approve it.
Second Reading
- A more thorough discussion of the bill's overall goals and guiding principles takes place during the second reading.
- At the conclusion of the members' discussion of the merits of the bill, a vote is held.
- The measure advances to committee stage if it passes the second reading.
Committee Stage
- A legislative committee, which has members from different parties, carefully examines the proposed legislation.
- The committee examines, revises, and polishes the legislation, making appropriate adjustments.
- During this phase, the public's involvement and stakeholders testimonies may be requested.
Third Reading
- During the third reading, the bill is brought back before the legislative assembly for a final discussion and voting that can involve all members of the legislature.
- The final draft of the bill is normally the subject of discussion.
- The bill advances to the next stage if a majority of the members vote in favor of it once more.
Royal Assent
- The bill is transmitted to the Lieutenant Governor for royal assent after passing the third reading.
- The formality of receiving royal assent is what makes the bill into law.
- The bill has now been formally incorporated into provincial law.
Proclamation
- Not every bill takes effect right away after getting royal assent, according to a proclamation.
- Some laws have a fixed start date or need the government to issue a proclamation before they take effect.
- The government usually decides when something will take effect depending on a number of variables, including administrative readiness.
- Sometimes, parts of a bill can be enacted before other parts of the same bill, depending on circumstances. This will always be indicated in the bill.
Regulations
- Most new laws are generally supported by a set of new or modified regulations, which are also legally binding.
- Regulations are established to say how the law should be applied, and give guidance to their application. They also serve to be more precise for certain field of activity. They can provide exceptions, special considerations, and conditions.
- In contrast to legislation, regulations can also be written and articulated by individuals or organizations to whom Parliament has granted authority to do so in an Act, rather than by the legislature itself.
- Organizations and individuals can comment on the proposed regulations before they are implemented.
- Regulations have to be published for comment for a certain period of time.
- After this consultation period, regulations, amended or not, are then approved or turned down by the government.
- If the government approves, regulations are then reposted, as final, and become official.
Contact Government Officials by Province
- Yukon MLA , MP
- Northwest Territories MLA , MP
- British Columbia MLA , MP
- Alberta MLA , MP
- Saskatchewan MLA , MP
- Manitoba MLA , MP
- Ontario MPP , MP
- Québec MNA , MP
- Newfoundland and Labrador MHA , MP
- New Brunsick MLA , MP
- Prince Edward Island MLA , MP
- Nova Scotia MLA , MP
- Nunavut MLA , MP