Advocacy is a key part of making voices heard.

Below are a number of advocacy resources to support the efforts of those who want to express their ideas and concerns to governments. You will find comprehensive listings of local, provincial, and federal government contacts, departments, agencies and political parties as well as various advocacy toolkits and "how-to guides".

Advocacy Resource Links

Canadian Housing Equality Resources Advocate's Guide
The goal of the CHER website is to provide housing workers and advocates across Canada with information and tools to enable them to overcome - using a human rights framework - the barriers that keep people from accessing and retaining adequate housing.

Food Banks Canada - Advocacy Resources
This toolkit was designed to let individuals at the grassroots level lobby for social and policy change. The kit contains material to send to politicians and decision makers, as well as a wealth of suggestions on constructive action people can take locally

Non-Profits and Policy Advocacy: Learning from Success (ESPC)
This document, published by the ESPC in 2009, is a review of successful non-profit policy advocacy practices. Using case studies and examples from Alberta, Canada, and internationally, this guide outlines how and why non-profits should participate in policy advocacy, and breaks down some of the key features of successful policy advocacy efforts. The appendices contain further policy advocacy resources and contact information for policy advocacy coalitions working on a variety of campaigns.

Nonprofit Library Commons - Public Policy and Advocacy Guides for Nonprofit Organizations
Imagine Canada’s online library contains a selection of resources focused on non-profit advocacy and public policy.

Pride Centre of Edmonton - Advocacy Resources
The Pride Centre of Edmonton provides resources, support and programming for the GLBTTIQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Transsexual, Intersex & Questioning) community and its supporters in Edmonton, AB and surrounding areas. Their website provides an extensive list of advocacy resources.

Public Interest Alberta (PIA)
PIA is an advocacy organization that serves to foster greater understanding and commitment to public issues. It seeks to promote the interests of citizens through various actions, such as collecting research & disseminating material, coordinating action strategies, and being a point of reference for the public and media.

The Art of Advocacy: A Handbook for Non-profit Organizations
Published by the Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNET) and Habitat for Humanity, this handbook acts as a ‘how-to’ guide to advocacy. It includes tips on starting an advocacy campaign, creating legislative strategy, writing letters, and working with the media.

Rural Communities Impacting Policy
The Rural Communities Impacting Policy was a six-year rural advocacy initiative in Nova Scotia. After officially wrapping up in 2006, the initiatives website is now maintained by the by the Coastal Communities Network. Site includes information on defining a problem and analyzing the root causes, generating solutions, and putting a plan in action.

The Change Agency
This Australia-based activist resource centre offers a rich selection of online courses, workshops, publications, toolkits, and other resources on strategic activism, evaluation, advocacy and community building.   

The Voluntary Sector Initiative
The Initiative has developed a guide for working with the federal government entitled Participating in Federal Public Policy: A Guide for the Voluntary Sector, which includes the articles:
- What is public policy and why is it important to become involved?
- Navigating the system and rules (federal government)
- Implementing your strategy
- Stages of the public policy process
- Sample policy issues
- Internet Resources and websites

Volunteer Canada
Published a guide called Advocacy on the Agenda: Preparing Voluntary Boards for Public Policy Participation. It features sections on dealing with politicians, advocacy and the law, utilizing the internet, and coalition building.

Vote for Equality – Ontario
Though set up for the 2004 Ontario election, this site shares relevant knowledge and tools for building momentum for a sustained campaign of education and advocacy to challenge inequality. Site includes an advocacy toolkit and resources, tips on effective media communication, writing letters and emails, and more.

YMCA Canada - Be H.I.P.P. Have Influence on Public Policy: A Manual and Toolkit on How Voluntary Organizations Can Influence Public Policy
The online manual and supporting e-learning seminar walk you through an 8-step plan for developing an advocacy strategy, and discusses charitable restrictions and advocacy tactics. This is an excellent set of advocacy resources produced by the YMCA Canada.