Government Relations in Uncertain Times
2025 has kicked off with a bang on the political front, and as we near February 1, one word has dominated the conversation this week: uncertainty. In many ways, working with stakeholders on their government relations strategies over the past two weeks has reminded me of April and May 2020—when the world entered ‘unprecedented times,’ and our approach to engaging governments as external stakeholders and advocates shifted rapidly.
This theme of uncertainty is likely to persist in the months ahead. Decision-makers will continue to navigate a complex landscape shaped by global challenges, the Trump administration’s ongoing influence, a federal election, fiscal constraints, and ongoing public pressure for action on key issues such as health care, housing, affordability, and public safety.
As we learned in the spring of 2020, adopting a refreshed approach to government relations allows organizations to meet the moment and continue advancing strategies that both help governments find solutions and support your organizational priorities.
Now is the time for any organization with government-facing policy or funding goals to take proactive steps. By adapting your approach, you can ensure your organization not only navigates the uncertainty ahead but also finds success in achieving its goals.
We’ll be posting a series of articles in the weeks ahead to help organizations consider their government relations approaches.
Aligning Government Relations Goals with Your Mission
Government relations goals should align with your organization’s overall mission and strategic plan. Too often, however, stakeholders set them in isolation, targeting a single funding or policy goal without considering the broader impact.
Governments are overwhelmed with stakeholder ‘asks,’ especially in jurisdictions like B.C., where a recent election and the upcoming budget on March 4, 2025, have set the stage for heightened political activity. As the B.C. Government prepares for potential economic challenges—such as new tariffs and a coordinated response through a new cabinet committee—stakeholders must carefully assess their government-facing proposals. Now is the time to consider economic drivers and align your proposals with the issues most pressing to decision-makers.
That said, it’s crucial not to lose focus on social impact and policy. Early in the pandemic, many embraced the idea of “building back better” to lay the groundwork for recovery. While public attitudes may have shifted since then, the government’s focus on economic recovery—including tariffs and regional economic concerns—presents an opportunity to reshape the policy narrative.
What solutions do you have ready that could align with current priorities and push your policy goals forward?
Building relationships with newly elected officials
Decision-makers are grappling with systemic issues that have reached a crisis point, both locally and globally. If you're working in a jurisdiction with a recent election, like British Columbia (or planning for work in Ontario post-election), it’s important to recognize how many new elected officials there are across all parties. Your first priority should be building relationships, understanding their priorities, and offering the invaluable resource that only stakeholders can provide: expertise on the issues you work on.
Increase Internal Government Relations Capacity
Government relations is not a skill that most team members will have right out of the gate—and that’s okay! The key is to provide the right training and build internal capacity to help deliver on your goals. Don’t hesitate to reach out for training options for everyone on your team, from the CEO to the schedulers.
The Power of Collaboration in Government Relations
It’s rare to be the only stakeholder advocating for an issue, meaning you’re constantly competing on both your message and proposed solution. Collaborating with new allies—especially across sectors—helps decision-makers see a broader base of support and strengthens your position.
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We can help you achieve all of these goals. Reach out for a conversation on how we can work together this year.