From Our Vantage Point

Your 2026 BC Election Playbook: How Non-profits Can Make Their Voice Heard

Episode Summary

BC’s snap provincial election on October 24th overlaps with local elections on October 17th, and non-profits are likely wondering what they can and can’t do. In this episode, Prairie Chiu of Vantage Point sits down with Nikki from Hilltop Public Affairs to walk through the playbook. Nikki breaks down the differences between advocacy, lobbying, and election campaigning. She elaborates on the most effective engagement strategies, including staying local, sharing impact stories, and focusing on building relationships.

Episode Notes

Next Steps for Listeners

  1. Get your house in order
    1. Review and update internal policies on political activity, expense tracking, and staff and board conduct during election periods.
    2. Check current CRA guidelines on Public Policy Dialogue and Development Activities, as the rules have changed.
    3. Review Elections BC’s guidelines on election advertising and third-party advertising sponsors for both the provincial and local elections.
    4. Look at the Non-Profit Power Up Toolkit (search it on Google) for updated guidance on local election engagement.
    5. If you plan to spend money on election-related communications, register as a third-party advertising sponsor with Elections BC and set up a system to track those expenses.
  2. Prepare your message and your people
    1. Write down one to three priority policy issues in plain-language bullets.
    2. Brief staff, board members, and volunteers on election-period rules, including the difference between personal political activity and speaking for the organization.
    3. Prepare talking points and impact stories for supporters or board members who may speak with candidates.
  3. Engage candidates
    1. Keep outreach hyper-local: send introductory letters to candidates in your relevant geographies, sharing your story and key issues without making direct asks.
    2. Treat every candidate fairly and equally, with no favoritism in communications or scorecards.
  4. After the election
    1. Between October 24th and the cabinet swearing-in (mid-to-late November), engage government bureaucrats and decision makers to reinsert your priorities and budget asks before cabinet is formed.
    2. Congratulate newly elected MLAs, prepare briefs for those in your ridings or relevant ministries, and request meetings to build relationships.
  5. When in doubt
    1. Contact Elections BC or the BC Lobby Registry directly. Both want organizations to get it right and offer guidance.

For further guidance or training on government relations and election engagement, reach out to Nikki at Hilltop Public Affairs: info@hilltoppublicaffairs.ca