1. Government Relations as a Policy Tool: HRM’s Experience CEO / CAO Policy Forum April 2010

2. Outline HRM’s Government Relations (GR) Strategy Reasons for Development Guiding Principles GR Strategy Goals Benefits & Outcomes GR as a Policy Tool

3. GR Strategy: Development To strengthen relationships with government & community partners Work towards achieving common goals First formal GR Policy for a Municipality in Canada (?)

4. Guiding Principles Consistent with HRM vision, goals and corporate strategies Facilitate communication within HRM Respect jurisdictional boundaries Open, honest, transparent, proactive, collaborative

5. GR Strategy: Goals Specific desired outcomes of the policy: Relationship and partnership building Advancement of HRM’s key priority issues Collaborative issue resolution Priority action areas set annually

6. Council Focus Areas In January 2009 Council adopted 5 focus areas for its term: Transportation Infrastructure Public Safety Community Planning Governance & Communications These guide GR priority areas each year

7. Benefits and Outcomes Closer working relationship with Provincial and Federal government Increased consultation, input into policies Improved communication internally and externally Alignment of goals and priorities

8. GR as Policy Tool Strong relationships are an effective tool Proactive role Ability to better respond to emerging issues Structure Credibility Be your own advocate!

9. Halifax Regional Municipality More information: http://www.halifax.ca/IntergovernmentalAffairs/index.html churchj@halifax.ca