Rideau Institute Leads Lobbying Seminar for Trade Unionists at CALM 2011

(Burnaby, BC) Ensuring effective government relations is becoming a significant part of the work of trade union leaders and staff. Preventing harmful policies and promoting legislative changes to help public and private sector employees are essential to the trade union movement. That is why, for the first time, a special seminar on “lobbying” was organized at the annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM), held in Burnaby, B.C., on May 6 and 7.

“I was delighted to be invited to lead a session on lobbying,” said Steven Staples, President of the Rideau Institute. The seminar was co-sponsored by the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) union, and attended by communication staff from such well-respected organizations as ACTRA, Ontario Nurses Association, the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), United Steelworkers of Canada, and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

The seminar was well received. “Many people need to become more involved with government,” remarked a participant, who planned to recommend the seminar to her colleagues. “Steven answered every question in a very professional manner. I must say I benefitted from his seminar and am most impressed,” added another.

Founded in 1976, the Canadian Association of Labour Media (CALM) is affiliated with the Canadian Labour Congress. The CALM executive is made up of labour communicators, and its awards program annually recognizes the excellent work of its members.