FOLA'S LOBBY DAY 2023
FOLA LOBBY DAY 2023
Registration closed // event passed
POST LOBBY DAY REPORT COMING SOON
What are Lobby Days? Lobby Days are commonly used by non-profits and professional organizations as opportunities to set aside a day to meet with elected members and political staff to raise awareness of their issued.
LOBBY DAY PREPERATION
- FOLA provided issue-specific talking points for each Roundtable meeting;
- FOLA hosted pre-event meetings to prepare for each Roundtable meeting; and
- FOLA hosted a "Lobbying 101" virtual session to teach/remind participants how to speak with MPPs, Cabinet Ministers, and staff and how to connect with media and respond to media requests
All above events were recorded and recordings were made available to all registrants.
Approximately participants also held individual meetings with their own MPP.
Why is meeting with your MPP important? Click here
Prepare for your meetings: learn more!
If you have any questions, please email Katie at katie.robinette@fola.ca
AGENDA (2023)
MEDIA RELSEASE (2023)
LOBBY DAY 101
WHAT IS LOBBYING?
Lobbying is commonly understood to be a a type of advocacy that can occur when groups or individuals bring issues and concerns directly to their government. This would involve speaking with MPPs (elected public officers) in their local riding, to party leaders, ministers and critics, and political staff with regard to developing or changing government policy. The Lobbying Act states there should be “free and open access to government is an important matter of public interest”. Lobbying is a defined term in the Lobbying Registry Act.
FOLA's Lobby Day is an opportunity to speak with politicians to positively affect change in policy.
FOLA's Lobby Day is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of Ontario's 47 Law Associations, and issues concerning Ontario's roughly 12,000 small and sole practicing lawyer among some of the most important decision makers in the province while at the same time, offering FOLA's members a glimpse into the life of a politician and/or their staff.
MEETINGS WITH MPPs AND STAFF
MEETING PREP CHECK LIST
MEETING PREP CHECK LIST
MEETING PREP CHECK LIST
In Advance of the Meeting
Plan how you'll describe the issues you want to discuss.
Make sure to avoid unnecessary jargon and don't "talk down" to legislators and their staff. These individuals are smart and well informed, but they usually won't have legal backgrounds.
If you're going as a team, plan beforehand who will take the lead and how you'll each effectively share your main points.
Attending the Meeting
Be on time. The member may be running late -but you shouldn’t!
Recognize that you'll likely be talking to a staff member too.
Be succinct: You will have 15 quality minutes: limit your message and stay on point. Have a clear "ask"? Now's your time to make it!
Describe the importance of the issue to your work. Use anecdotes or personal narratives. Explain how this affects their community and the public.
Be open to questions. If you don’t know the answer, offer to get it and follow up.
Conclude and reiterate top points, making sure to capture follow-ups or commitments.
After the Meeting
Thank them verbally for meeting with you.
Follow up by sending a thank you email to the MPP and the staff person who spoke with you. This is especially important if your goal is to establish a relationship.
Touch base with office contacts every three months to help build a relationship.
And don't forget to check out this handy video.
CONTACT AN MPP
MEETING PREP CHECK LIST
MEETING PREP CHECK LIST
FOLA will help arrange meetings for you, but if you choose to arrange your own, here are some great contact resources.
Here's your go-to list for all current MPPs and staff. Looking for a Cabinet Minister or their staff? Click on Ministries (drop down menu). Looking for an MPP or their staff? Select Legislative and then the party they belong to. Here's quick link.
Link to the main Ontario MPP & staff directory (includes Ministers and Parliamentary Assistants).
Looking for your MPP and don't know who that is or what Riding you live in? Look it up! Just click on the blue button below.