FCM Workshop: Election 2015

The workshop I attended today was how to effectively engage other levels of government, specifically the Federal Government and the parties leading up to the election expected in the fall of 2015. There were approximately 300 participants in the workshop and we were asked to vote on a few questions.

Panelists Representing the 3 Major Federal Political Parties

1.       What is the expected result after the next election?

     ·         Conservative Majority 33%

     ·         Conservative Minority 26%

     ·         Liberal Majority 14%

     ·         Liberal Minority 12%

2.       What is a municipality’s greatest strength?

     ·         Understand local issues 33%

     ·         Responsible for local day to day issues 28%

     ·         Nonpartisan 21%

     ·         Personality 18%

3.       What is a municipality’s greatest weakness?

     ·         Lack of revenue tools 32%

     ·         Lack of media 24%

     ·         No time for extra work 23%

     ·         Lack of public trust 21%

4.       What are some best practices for 3^rd party stakeholders?

     ·         Clear message 33%

     ·         Unified Sector 20%

     ·         Strong online/social media component 17%

     ·         Attractive Branding 16%

     ·         Well known Spokesperson 15%

Listening to the Panel Discussion

A number of points were made to help municipalities effectively lobby other levels of government:

     ·         Unite with one message (infrastructure funding)

     ·         Leverage social media

     ·         Develop ongoing public engagement

     ·         Regular correspondence with officials from other levels of government (MP, MLA)

     ·         Emphasize with other levels of government that local governments deliver

Finally, there were some don’ts

     ·         Don’t pick sides (political party because political parties come and go)

     ·         Be constructive about issues not the party, focus on the issue

     ·         Don’t use a laundry list

     ·         Don’t assume outcomes

Municipal elected officials have the most respect of all levels of government.