Unit 3 Influencing Government

1.Influencing Government through our Political Parties  Contact your MP  Run for MP  Volunteer for a political party  Donate money to a political party Liberal Party of Canada rally

Roles within a Political Party  Leader chosen by party members at a convention  Full time employees Media relations Speechwriting Fundraising  Volunteers help to publicize party, especially during elections

How are they funded?  Political parties can only accept donations from: Corporations in Canada Individual citizens of Canada Unions in Canada  Why?

Funding continued  Since 2003, parties also receive funding based on their popular vote If the party has 2% of the national vote, or 5% of the vote in a riding, they receive $1.75 per vote per year

2. Influencing Government through Interest & Pressure Groups Pressure groups include organizations whose interests include: 1. Economic 2. Medical / health related 3. Environment 4. Religion 5. Civil right concerns 6. …….

Interest Groups and Pressure Groups  Collection of individuals who pursue common political goals e.g. students, teachers, tenants, farmers etc  Pressure government to enact or modify legislation favourable to their group

How do they pressure? 1. Publicity campaigns (MADD) 2. Appear before Parliamentary Committees 3. Give funds to political parties 4. Organize demonstrations and rallies Joining is a good way to take effective personal action

3.Influencing Government through a Lobby Group  When pressure groups become highly organized they are sometimes called lobby groups  A lobbyist is a person who is associated with a pressure group who attempts to influence decision makers through direct persuasion, discussion, or persistent attention Successes : move airports and industries, establish parks and wildlife reserves, control pollution etc.

Lobby Groups Grass-Roots Lobbying  When an organization gets many ordinary citizens to write or phone politicians on a specific issue.

Big Business Lobbying  Very sophisticated  Many corporations hire full time lobbyists or consultants  They try to influence government decisions or gain contracts  Former cabinet ministers are barred from lobbying for 2 years after they have left government  They must all register with Canada’s Lobbyists Registration Anti-tobacco lobby group work

4.Influencing Government through Protest

Protest Hmmm.....How can you let your disapproval of government policies or practices be known??  some activists who are concerned with social justice believe that it is sometimes necessary to use more forceful action to achieve their goals. Protest group  when a group of activists come together at an event they have organized to promote a cause ie) rallies, parades, marches, sit ins, public demonstrations and road blockades

Protests  Other ways to get yourself heard  ?