Interest/Pressure Groups

CHAPTER 7 – CPW4U

RASO

Interest/Pressure Groups

Groups that form

to promote a goal

and use the

political process to

achieve this goal

Types of Interest/Pressure Groups

One way to categorize these groups is

by their basic activity--

Groups based largely on economic

activity

Groups based on social justice or

environmental issues

Canadian Manufacturers and

Exporters

“CME promotes the continuous improvement of Canadian

manufacturing and exporting through engagement of

government at all levels.”

Sierra Club

“The Sierra Club's members are more than 750,000 of your friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet. The Club is America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.”

Interest Groups

Some groups have full time lobby staff and other groups hire lobbyists when needed

Some groups are not exclusively interest groups but may occasionally lobby the government as part of their mandate

Canadian Cancer Society

“Prevention and advocacy are vital parts of our work. We ensure people have the information they need to reduce their cancer risk, and we lobby for public policies to make healthy choices easy choices.”

Lobbying

Appearing at committee meetings as witnesses

Speaking to Members of Parliament

Speaking to senior public servants

Using media

Access

Access to decision makers can be a

challenge for lobbyists

Large powerful organizations such as

the Canadian Manufacturers and

Exporters Association may have easier

access to a deputy minister than the

Sierra Club

Tips for Lobbyists

Find out what policies a government is working on in

your field, then present yourself as knowledgeable in

the field--you are more likely to get invited to help in

the formation of policy

The Canadian Medical Association does this