Howard BrownPEO Government Relations Consultant
Niagara Chapter GLP PresentationOctober 19, 2011
PEO Government Liaison Program
Politics can be a force for change
PEO Government Liaison Program
Who do Canadians trust the most?Nurses (1st of 25) 97 per cent
Doctors (3rd) 94 per cent
Teachers (6th) 89 per cent
Engineers (7th) 88 per cent
Police Officers (8th) 87 per cent
Lawyers (22nd) 48 per cent
Politicians (24th) 30 per cent
Car salesmen (25th of 25) 23 per cent
Provided by Angus Reid, 2009
PEO Government Liaison Program
Agenda
1. Introductions and Objectives2. GLP Overview3. Government and Policy Overview4. Engaging with Government5. Next Steps
PEO Government Liaison Program
Introductions and Objectives
PEO Government Liaison Program
The PEO Government Liaison Program:History
• The GLP was launched in 2005 by PEO Council after the Ontario government brought in changes to the Building Code legislation that overrode the Professional Engineers Act.
• Initially a 6 month pilot project at the suggestion of then attorney general Michael Bryant after a meeting with PEO executives in 2004
• Made permanent in June 2005 as a chapter-based initiative - To get chapter members involved and working closer with their local governments
PEO Government Liaison Program
The PEO Government Liaison Program:Background
• As the self-regulating body for more than 75,000 professional engineers in Ontario, PEO launched a pilot of the Government Liaison Program in January 2005.
• The program’s main objective is:
to ensure that government, PEO members and the public continue to recognize its regulatory
mandate, in particular its contributions to maintaining the highest level of professionalism among engineers working in the public interest
PEO Government Liaison Program
The PEO Government Liaison Program:Key Messages
•PEO has a legislative mandate under the Professional Engineers Act to regulate the practice of professional engineering in the public interest.
•The self-regulating engineering profession – comprising 75,000 professionals – has been successfully serving and protecting the public for more than 80 years.
•PEO has unique knowledge and expertise and it is in the best interest of government to consult with it before considering any new policy directions that may have the potential to impact the regulation of the practice of professional engineering.
PEO Government Liaison Program
The PEO Government Liaison Program:Government Liaison Committee (GLC)
Mandate: to provide oversight and guidance to the PEO Government Liaison Program (GLP)Members:Barry Steinberg, P.Eng., Chair Jonathan Risto, P.Eng.Anita Cwynar, P.Eng., Vice-Chair Darla Campbell, P. Eng.
Andrew Dowie, P.Eng. Chris Taylor, P.Eng.Bill Goodings, P.Eng. Bernard Ennis, P.Eng., Chris Kan, P.Eng., Shannon Pole, Student repRuth-Anne Vanderwater, EIT Lieutenant Governor Appointed (LGA) Councillors Ishwar Bhatia, P.Eng and Rick Hilton, P. Eng
Ex-officio: Kim Allen, P. Eng, David Adams, P. Eng, Denis Dixon, P.Eng, Howard Brown
Committee Advisor: Jeannette Chau, P.Eng.
PEO Government Liaison Program
The GLPCS has responsibility for:
• overseeing the integration of
chapter involvement in the
program,
• managing chapter activities and
• reporting on the results to the
chapter executive and PEO
Government Liaison Program Chapter Subcommittee (GLPCS)
PEO Government Liaison Program
• Successes to date
▫ Regular consultation with over 80 MPP meetings in 6 years
▫ Four annual Queen’s Park Days
▫ Presentations to numerous legislative committees
▫ Town hall meetings, campaign colleges, training
sessions, lunch and learns, chapter meetings and weekly
updates to PEO members
▫ Candidate colleges to seek engineers for public office
▫ The GLP Journal appears in every edition of Engineering
Dimensions as a voice for the Government Liaison Program
The PEO Government Liaison Program:Celebrating Success
PEO Government Liaison Program
The provincial landscape has changed…
PEO Government Liaison Program
11 Engineers ran in the October 6, 2011 election
PEO Government Liaison Program
Three were elected to Queen’s Park!
Phil McNeely, P.Eng., MPP
Ottawa-OrleansOntario Liberal Party
Jack MacLaren, P.Eng., MPP
Carleton-Mississippi-MillsOntario PC Party
Jim McDonell, P.Eng., MPP
Stormont-Dundas-South Glengary. Ontario PC Party
PEO Government Liaison Program
Queen’s Park vs. Constituency
PEO Government Liaison Program
PEO Niagara Chapter covers four provincial ridings
PEO Government Liaison Program
Each with an MPP…
Jim Bradley MPP St. Catharines
Ontario Liberal Party
Tim Hudak MPP Niagara-West-
GlanbrookOntario PC Party
Kim Craitor MPP Niagara Falls
Ontario Liberal Party
Cindy Forster MPP Welland
Ontario New Democratic Party
PEO Government Liaison Program
Opportunities to Engage
PEO Government Liaison Program
PEO Events: Inviting MPPs
Things to include:
•details about the proposed event•the nature of the event•the date/time •what role you would like the MPP to play (deliver remarks or just be part of the audience) •the planned program•the participants and •the event location.
PEO Government Liaison Program
PEO Events: Welcoming MPPs
Things to consider:
•Always have a greeter•Introduce them to members in attendance•Give them a formal role in the program•Take photos•Never leave MPPs unattended•Give them a token of appreciation•Follow up after the event
PEO Government Liaison Program
Attend MPP events
•Constituency meetings•Fundraisers•Riding Association Events•Political conventions•Community events
PEO Government Liaison Program
Political Expenditure GuidelinesFederal political events: there are strict rules against organizations donating to federal political parties, therefore chapters may NOT pay or reimburse members for attending federal events that have a donation component
Provincial political events: chapters may pay for political events that are on a provincial level (e.g. MPP events)
Reimbursement of political expenses: If a chapter representative will be claiming a personal tax credit for any monies paid, then they should not be reimbursed by the chapter.
PEO Government Liaison Program
Any questions?
For more information or to become involved,
contact:
Howard BrownBrown & Cohen
Communications & Public Affairs
321 Brooke Avenue, Toronto ON.
[email protected] 416-844-1180