Shoppers Drug Mart: Our Approach to Government Relations

Presentation to the Canadian Assistive Devices Association

19 September 2012

What is Government Relations?

Process of informing decision-makers on particular issues to help shape public-policy. Involves:1.Representing or supporting a cause or issue on behalf of oneself and/or others;2.Building a winning case with governments through evidence and robust business cases;3.Establishing relationships with other groups to help promote your message.

XYZ will help business and create jobs

From the research, XYZ seems the best option to boost growth

Of the options, XYZ is best for our community

Why is Government and Stakeholder Relations Important?

• Shoppers Drug Mart focuses on building partnerships with government and third party stakeholders to develop relationships to address and influence legislation , regulations and policies to secure such funding.

• Building partnership with government and stakeholders strategically enhances an organizations interests by being better able to anticipate future developments, influence them as necessary and identify new opportunities to create value.

• The best practices of government relations and stakeholder management go further in trying to shape future policies, legislation and regulations, not those merely in their organization’s immediate interests, but in line with their forward-looking strategies.

• The partnerships that Shoppers Drug Mart builds with other key stakeholders, including pharmacy associations, faculties of pharmacy, business associations and think-tanks and patient and disease associations will influence how we are viewed by external audiences, including government, and will also allow us to build alliances to help better influence public policy.

Value of Engaging with Elected Officials

• Public policy is shaped by business, the media, activist groups, professional organizations, social and economic groups and individuals who believe strongly in an issue(s)

• By educating your elected official about your organizations issues you help them better understand the local issues and the positive role that your organization plays

• A proactive approach will result in better working relationships with elected officials and establish an environment that allows for more understanding and future cooperation

• Keeping elected officials informed and up-to-date on your activities can also help insulate you from problems down the road. If a crisis does erupt, you will benefit from having an already establish relationship with key elected officials

• Engagement with government doesn’t happen over night: it is process of building relationships with a long-term objective, the end result including numerous benefits to you and the community

Key elements of Government Relations

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Government and Stakeholder Engagement – Key Objectives

Critical Success Factors:• Commitment to a long-term strategy• Engagement of multiple organizational levels, aligned to the strategy• Promote issues with officials and politically from “both sides of the house”• Need to ensure alignment with industry associations as a key driver of “pharmacy” issues

Elements of a Strong Strategy

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Process Overview

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Reminder: Two Parts to Effective Government Relations

InternalGetting sufficient buy-in to gather information to tackle problems and use government to boost competitive advantage. Guide the organization

on the factors that influence policy.

ExternalKnowing the process, who to contact and when.

Able to anticipate issues arising and build coalitions around a cause. Provide

understanding of reality outside political bubble.

Reality Check

Build foundationsPreparation comes first. Going into meetings without a strategy and strong messages can do more harm than good.

Be patientEverything takes more time in government. Once credibility is established things get easier, but nothing will happen overnight.

Be realisticLarger policy changes can take months or years to go through all the stages of government. Balance objectives to include shorter term, achievable goals.

Summary

1 2 3Determine type of role you want to

play

Work with organization

to set priorities

Develop strategy around

targets & issue