Interest/Pressure Groups Chapter 7

Interest/Pressure Groups Groups that form to promote a goal and use the political process to achieve this goal

Types of Interest/Pressure Groups One way to categorize these groups is by their basic activity-- Groups based largely on economic activity Groups based on social justice or environmental issues

Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters

“CME promotes the continuous improvement of Canadian manufacturing and exporting through engagement of government at all levels.”

Sierra Club

“The Sierra Club's members are more than 750,000 of your friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet. The Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.”

Interest Groups Some groups have full time lobby staff and other groups hire lobbyists when needed Some groups are not exclusively interest groups but may occasionally lobby the government as part of their mandate

Canadian Cancer Society “Prevention and advocacy are vital parts of our work. We ensure people have the information they need to reduce their cancer risk, and we lobby for public policies to make healthy choices easy choices.”

Lobbying Appearing at committee meetings as witnesses Speaking to Members of Parliament Speaking to senior public servants Using media

Access Access to decision makers can be a challenge for lobbyists Large powerful organizations such as the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association may have easier access to a deputy minister than the Sierra Club

Tips for Lobbyists Find out what policies a government is working on in your field, then present yourself as knowledgeable in the field-- you are more likely to get invited to help in the formation of policy The Canadian Medical Association does this