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| Path: Main Street > Resources/Library > Research Articles > Feature Article |
Understanding Canadian provincial government relations
By Mark Buzan
May 11, 2009
As a nonprofit executive, you contend with daily tasks, agendas, and general business demands that consume all of your time and resources. Chances are, you are in a constant struggle to make ends meet financially, with eyes always open for how you will fund your next nonprofit mission or program. Integral to the livelihood of your nonprofit is understanding not only how your federal Canadian government works and how to approach them, but also how provincial law and regulation factor into the mix.
While the federal legislature may seem the penultimate government of regulation and policy to abide by and concern yourself with, provincial regulation is the secondary legislature - and just as important to respect - that provides the necessary specifics on how to conduct yourself and your business. You may have taken the time to research and involve yourself with the Canadian Parliament regarding issues that apply directly or indirectly to your organization's motives, or perhaps you have invested in a helpful government relations firm or specialist to help you understand and communicate with the federal government. Either way, your next step to running and maintaining a healthy nonprofit, is concerning yourself with Canadian government on a provincial level.
Why? What are the functions of Canadian provincial law that make it so intimately significant with regard to the success of your nonprofit? Below is an easy to understand reference of the types of actions for which Canadian provincial legislature is responsible.
Cases where federal and provincial government regulation necessarily overlap, such as:
Cases where funding for provincial infrastructure projects necessitate federal/provincial funding or the converse, such as:
- Healthcare regulation
- Consumer protection issues
- Environmental policy and regulation
- General and specific taxation and financial issues
- Issues of privacy
- Resource management
Cases where other cost-shared programs arise between federal and provincial government, such as:
- Highways and bridges
- Housing programs
- Music and arts projects
- Hospitals
- Mass transit
Lastly, cases of new foreign investors and business necessitate planning policy from both federal and provincial government, and also how government income will be allocated between the two; more specifically:
- Research projects and planning studies
- General to localized structures, land, etc.
In conclusion, unless you have a federal and provincial government specialist on board with your organization, chances are you have some work cut out for you in keeping a watchful, if not vigilant eye on federal and provincial government (and it may be worth it to you to look into such services). Either way, it is absolutely crucial that you value your knowledge and interaction with provincial legislation; it is as significant as that of federal government.
- Federal and provincial government funding
- Geographical location for business that is profitable for both governments
- Export regulation and policy
- Human resources hiring, training, and efficacy
Thoughts? Opinions? What has been your experience with federal or provincial government issues? What valuable tips can you offer?
Mark Buzan is principal and chief magnifier in Action Strategies, a full service strategic communications, public relations and public affairs consultancy for nonprofits and associations. Contact him for advice on reaching audiences you may or may not have yet considered in your marketing communications and PR campaigns. You can view his website at www.actionstrategies.ca.
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