Presentation to PCMHSeptember 22, 2012London, OntarioLissa Regan

Purpose of Presentation Outline Basic Structure of Government “Advocacy 101” Benefits of Working Together

Current Status 107 MPP’s in Ontario legislature 53 Ontario Liberal Party; 36

Conservative and 18 NDP 23 in Cabinet, including the Premier www.elections.on.ca

(Elections Ont. great website for info on ridings)

Current Status (cont.) Currently a Minority government in

Ontario; unchanged from recent by-elections

Average life span of minority is 2-3 years; not 4 years as per general election set election date

This is the 3rd mandate for the McGuinty government, first elected in 2003

Child and Youth Mental Health Child and Youth Mental Health is housed

within the Ministry of Children and Youth Services

This government created MCYS, with a view to focusing attention on the specific needs of young people

Child and Youth Mental Health – Our current Minister Hon. Eric Hoskins is current Minister of

MCYS Physician; Humanitarian President of War Child Canada, has

helped children impacted by war in most desperate areas of world including Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Iraq

Rhodes Scholar

Child and Youth Mental Health – Our Deputy Minister Deputy Minister is Alex Bezzina Great experience in the Ontario Public

Service having served in a variety of portfolios

Responsible for carrying out the direction of Minister Hoskins and government

Who’s Who Premier Secretary of Cabinet Premier’s Office Cabinet Office Political Staff Bureaucrats

Premier is head of government; Secretary of Cabinet head of civil service; PO has political leadership while CO carries out plans; political staff communicate direction to bureaucrats

Minister’s Many Hats• Minister responsible to a variety of

“stakeholders”• Premier, Cabinet Colleagues• Caucus• Liberal Party Membership• Opposition Critics• Sector Representatives• Constituency

Advocacy When meeting the Minister, or an MPP,

“use your power” A parent voice is without agenda – it is

always for the benefit of those at the root of the cause

Parent voice is powerful, not a “special interest”

Move Your Agenda Present win-win scenarios Move your agenda by demonstrating

how in giving you what you need benefits government

(e.g. agencies can tell government that additional funding could focus on reducing wait times for kids, and provide data to back up the claim)

Move Your Agenda Be consistent Whatever you’re telling your MPP in

southwestern Ontario should be the same as what’s being heard across the north

Only through repetition does the message get through

Avoid message “muddle”

Before your meeting……• Make sure you can answer the

questions:

What do I want to achieve? What message and I delivering?What is my ask?

Before Your Meeting Your “ask” must be clear, consistent

and realistic. It should be arrived at in conjunction with your colleagues. You can add local “flavour” or demonstrate by using a personal story, but the “ask” should be consistent

Remember to position your conversation so it includes a “win” for the Minister/MPP

Build a Relationship Get to know your local MPP so that you

are comfortable with them. Reach out to other MPP’s in neighbouring areas

Make contact a regular event, not just when you want to deliver bad news, or ask for something

Avoid the Rut Don’t just go to your MPP at provincial

budget time each year and sound like a broken record

Find ways to work together and be creative

Stop Talking and Listen! You learn a lot when MPP’s have the

opportunity to think out loud, explore ideas or ask questions. Don’t confine the meeting to your presentation – be aware of their need to communicate with you

Don’t think your meeting was successful if you simply talked at them for a half hour!

Be Respectful Say Thank-You both in person and in

writing Politics is a thankless job, and you would

be surprised at how grateful elected officials are to hear those simple words!

Communication is Key Forge strong ties in all parties. You may

not always agree with certain individuals, but always ensure you can find a way to communicate respectfully

Being negative or difficult has never led to successful government relations

Relationships make all the difference Give credit where it’s due, if someone

does something positive, say it Always make it clear you want to work

with all members to further your agenda