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Government Relations
The federal and provincial governments have a profound impact
on the operations of companies, organizations and other levels
of governments. This impact can be negative or positive. The
following overview outlines how we support our clients:
- Monitor government activities and inform our clients in
advance so they can react to policy changes prior to them
being implemented
- Develop and implement government relations plans
- Identify the right people to communicate with
- Develop messaging
- Issue positioning
- Organize coalitions to strengthen the case to government
officials, when appropriate
- Prepare and organize meetings with targeted officials
- Organize events to facilitate communication with targeted
officials
Flagship Solutions is different from other government relations
firms. We believe our clients are the best spokespeople for
their organizations and, unless they ask us to do otherwise,
we assist them in preparing and making their case directly,
in an effective and result-oriented way.
Here are some examples:
- Restoring a provincial tax credit (2005 - present)
In September 2005, the Ontario provincial government announced
the cancellation of a 15% tax credit for investments in
Labour-Sponsored Investment Funds. We were hired by one
of the funds to lead a campaign to change the decision.
Only learning about this project on a Friday night the following
day our client was able to meet with the Premier, the Minister
of Finance and participated in a conference call with the
Chief of Staff to the Minister of Finance.
Following this, we organized a coalition of groups that
had a common interest in keeping this tax credit. We then
used the strength of this coalition to successfully change
the provincial government’s decision.
Thanks in good part to our efforts, in October the government
announced a change of policy - instead of an immediate cancellation,
the tax credit was to be phased out over 8 years.
Since that point in time, we have continued working to convince
the government (by using the media, political parties and
other groups) to once again reverse their decision and keep
the tax credit intact.
- Compensation for disease in an agricultural sector
(2003 - 2004)
Following a disease outbreak, we assisted the affected industry
in establishing a number of animal health programs and successfully
negotiated a compensation program (close to $10 million)
for the industry. This provided producers with much needed
dollars.
To achieve these program implementations, we were required
to make a business case, present it to targeted civil servants
and also make targeted presentations to Federal Members
of Parliament and Members of the Provincial Parliament (in
Ontario).
- Other initiatives
Flagship Solutions has led a number of other government
relations initiatives, from the monitoring of parliamentary
activities on behalf of a foreign embassy, to the organization
of an event with provincial and federal parliamentarians
for one of Canada’s largest law firms. We have represented
energy companies wishing to obtain permits and funding,
as well as sporting, health and professional organizations
wanting to advance their issues and also obtain funding
from the provincial and federal governments.
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