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Getting What You Want from Government

Getting What You Want from Government. John Moonen & Associates Ltd. February 16, 2006 UBCM. John Moonen. Political campaigner BC civil servant Lawyer Ad agency executive GR for Jimmy Pattison Lobbyist for BC munis. Definitions. 1. “Public Affairs” 2. “Government Relations”

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Getting What You Want from Government

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  1. Getting What You Want from Government John Moonen & Associates Ltd. February 16, 2006 UBCM

  2. John Moonen Political campaigner BC civil servant Lawyer Ad agency executive GR for Jimmy Pattison Lobbyist for BC munis

  3. Definitions 1. “Public Affairs” 2. “Government Relations” 3. “Lobbying”

  4. 1. Public Affairs • Issues involving public institutions • E.g. courts, military, federal & provincial gov’ts, municipalities • How organizations and individuals interact with those public institutions

  5. 2. Government Relations • How individuals and organizations interact specifically with government • As voters, taxpayers, clients, customers, litigants, suppliers • Any type of “relationship” with gov’t • Today talking about lobbying gov’t

  6. 3. Lobbying Narrow: “All attempts including personal solicitation to induce legislators to vote in a certain way or to introduce legislation.” (Black’s Law Dictionary) Broad: “Getting what you want from government.”

  7. Origins of “Lobbyist” – US Version • Willard Hotel, Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC • Favorite of President Ulysses S Grant • Sat in lobby to smoke / drink brandy • Grant coined the term “lobbyist” to describe people who approached him with requests

  8. Origins of “Lobbyist” – UK • Common use 18th century England • At House of Commons, Westminster • MPs divided on close votes • Entered “Aye” or “Nay” lobby • People influencing MPs’ choice called “lobbyists”

  9. What Do Lobbyists Do? Help organizations & individuals get what they want from government. Mostly: • secure funding/contracts • resolve disputes • obtain approvals • change legislation

  10. How Do They Lobby? • Dean of BC lobbyists at MacBlo • Lobbied in Ottawa, Washington, Victoria, various US states • “Creative Loitering”

  11. Why Do We Need Lobbyists? • Governments aren’t perfect. • Media can’t fix all our problems. • Some decision-makers rely on them. • Good for the restaurant business.

  12. Who Uses Lobbyists? Biggest users in BC: • industry/professional associations • large companies • wealthy individuals Growing use by: • community groups • municipalities

  13. Lobbyists in BC • 30 people full-time • 15 = employees of large organizations • 15 = consultants • Numerous part-time • Former staffers, ex-media, PR… • Even lawyers

  14. Most Lobbying: 5-Stage Process 1. Define problem. 2. Determine solution. 3. Identify decision-makers/influencers. 4. Create message(s). 5. Deliver message(s).

  15. Lobbying Activities • Formal (delegations, written subs, etc.) or informal (dinners, conventions, campaigns) • Direct (to D-M) or indirect (through media, influencers) • Different every time • Often requires mobilizing public opinion • All require “Keeping it Simple”

  16. Case Study: Billboard Ban • Nearly 1,000 in Vancouver • Value: $50 to $100 million • Millions in annual revenues • Hundreds of jobs • Popular with advertisers • Not so popular with Planners

  17. Billboard Ban • Notice received on Thursday • For vote following Tuesday • Ban new ones; rest gone in 3 yrs • Initiated by Planning Department • No consultation, no warning • Both NPA & COPE supported it

  18. Step 1. ID Problem • Ban would eliminate business in Vancouver • Might encourage other munis, too • Lead to limits on other forms of advertising or signage? • Jimmy mad • John gone

  19. Step 2. Formulate Solution Convince enough decision-makers: 1. not to implement ban, or 2. delay ban, or 3. use opportunity to expand BBs

  20. Step 3. Identify Decision-Makers/Influencers • mayor and council • city manager & dept heads • advisory ctees • media • business/community groups • influential individuals • BB companies, suppliers, ad agencies…

  21. Step 4. Create Messages • economic impact: jobs, taxes, city revenues • political impact: message to business • legal impact: litigation • how to address concerns w/o banning (e.g. sight lines, lighting, #’s, height, content…)

  22. Step 5. Deliver Messages • phone calls/correspondence • face-to-face meetings • letters of support • polling • negotiations with staff • meetings with community groups • presentations to council

  23. Results of Lobbying • No ban • Improved bylaw • Public happy • Better relationships • John still working for Jimmy

  24. Lobbyists Registration Act • designed to create more open, accountable gov’t • someone paid to lobby “Public Office Holder” must be registered • information available to public

  25. “Public Office Holder” • broadly defined • includes Cabinet mins & MLAs • virtually all provincial public servants • OiC and ministerial appointees • officers, directors of Crown corps

  26. Lobbyists Covered • consultant lobbyists • those employed by commercial interests • those employed by advocacy groups, industry assoc’s, professional bodies..

  27. Governments Also Lobby • Other levels of gov’t • Adjoining munis • Others (investors, advocacy groups) Different targets, same process.

  28. Municipal Lobbying Tools • Associations (e.g. UBCM, FCM, area associations) • Local MLAs/MPs • Mayor, council & senior staff • Residents/businesses • Paid lobbyists

  29. Summary – Why Lobby? To Get What You Want from government: • resolve a dispute • change a law • secure funding or contracts • obtain approvals

  30. Summary - Process 5 stages: • ID problem • Formulate solution • ID decision-makers/influencers • Create messages • Deliver messages

  31. Questions? John Moonen & Associates Ltd. 604.921.6433 www.publicaffairsnetwork.com johnmoonen@telus.net

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