Our political environment is undergoing major changes at all levels. Valérie Plante will not run for another term as Mayor of Montréal. In Québec City, the current CAQ government has lost significant ground over the past few years. Federally, the outcome is still wide open, whereas just a few weeks ago, many thought it was already decided. In short, the only certainty is that the coming months will bring plenty of new faces across every level of government.

In such a context, it may be tempting to think that any attempt to build relationships with decision-makers will be extremely challenging, but it is far from impossible. In fact, now is a perfect opportunity to be present and engage in dialogue with various government representatives.

Government Relations in the Current Context: Now Is Not the Time to Give Up

Small organizations or non-profits, often limited in resources and consumed by daily operations and challenges, may feel overwhelmed. In these times of political transformation, it is best to develop a proactive strategy based on clear priorities. This is precisely what government actors themselves are doing. The relationships that take shape today have the potential to significantly influence political priorities in the years to come.

It is therefore natural to ask: How do you choose the right contacts? Which relationships should you prioritize when it’s impossible to predict who will form the next governments?

First, target the most stable actors, namely, public servants. Next, building relationships with ministerial teams is essential, as some political staffers will remain in decision-making roles even after a change in government. They can become valuable points of contact and allies for conveying your messages.

Take Action: Embrace Transparency

Adopting a transparent approach with decision-makers is key. Constantly solicited, they must filter their sources of information. Transparency builds your credibility and reinforces your organization’s role as a trusted partner who understands the “on-the-ground” reality—helping to shape government priorities.

Many decision-makers are also eager to get into the field to better understand issues and speak directly with stakeholders. By incorporating a transparent, participatory component, where the concerns and perspectives of actors are front and center, these encounters become valuable opportunities for dialogue.

However, such an approach cannot rely on a single event; it won’t be enough to establish a long-term relationship. A well-thought-out sequence of actions, focused on transparency and continuity of exchanges, is essential to fostering sustained engagement.

Be Structured and Methodical to Optimize Government Relations

In this critical period for building strong, lasting government relationships, here are a few Exponentiel tips for optimizing your approach within the current context:

1 - Analyze current government priorities to understand who you are addressing.. This will help you frame realistic requests tailored to the specific institution. It may also be wise to develop relationships with key opposition members who have the potential to become allies, remember, they could eventually take power.

2 - Develop proactive dialogue to engage with decision-makers while priorities are still being shaped. This is a golden opportunity to influence them.

3 - Build a network of influence. In a context where numerous causes and stakeholders compete for attention, surrounding yourself with strategic allies strengthens your message’s reach and impact. Speaking with one voice makes it easier to capture the attention of decision-makers, who will see the issue as important to a broad audience.

4 - Structure your requests. By preparing concrete, data-driven, and transparent proposals, your requests will be easier for government actors to understand and relate to. Transparency fosters trust and helps decision-makers see that they truly have the potential to make a difference by working with your organization.

With major changes ahead, now is the ideal time to revisit your priorities, seize opportunities, and initiate or strengthen dialogue with key contacts.