As soon as the heat sets in, the news calms down, summer shows take the place of the usual columnists, and we collectively ponder existential questions like: Is August the new July?
What about the government? Yes, ministers take vacations, and so do staff, but the government machine as a whole doesn't take vacations. When it comes to government relations, it's important to choose the right time to speak, and to understand the pace at which elected officials and their offices operate. To simplify matters, we can divide the political summer into three periods.
After the session
In the world of government and parliament, the pace is naturally frenetic. Whatever the political formation, the end of the spring session is synonymous with exhaustion. It's the end of a marathon that began last September. However, the end of the National Assembly's work is not synonymous with a slowdown for the government. In fact...not yet!
Post-session announcements are often attributed to a desire on the part of governments to influence the minds of citizens before they leave for the summer. While this is not untrue, especially in pre-election periods, it is not entirely true. In fact, the more frequent announcements and travel at this time of year can be explained more by the logistical aspect of agendas freed from parliamentary obligations.
In the weeks leading up to the session, many ministerial teams are trying to finalize bills or push files through internally. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are normally occupied by life on the Hill. The last two weeks, Friday is added. Once completed, the teams are faced with a highly flexible schedule. Meetings, regional travel and announcements are easier to fit in. But this space is short-lived. The National Holiday festivities in the ridings, the slowdown in the news and everyone's vacations come quickly.
For an organization, this period should be seen as a potential zone for the completion of files that do not require legislative changes. If you're in the regions, it's also a good idea to try and find out about the ministerial teams' plans as early as May. A visiting minister or opposition spokesperson may be interested in visiting your plant or meeting your employees.
In-between: time for vacations... and summer activities
The government never shuts down. Each cabinet has to be on call at all times. Ministers who go abroad must provide a replacement, who will officially take office by decree of the Council of Ministers. In opposition, research teams are on call to respond to current events. The Cabinet and ministerial committees take a three- to four-week break, at the Prime Minister's discretion. Since the pandemic, ministers have been able to alternate between virtual and face-to-face meetings in Quebec City during the summer. Employees and elected representatives take advantage of this to spend time with their families.
But it's also a good time to take care of your constituency. As any member will tell you, summer activities are legion. From corn roasts and public markets to festivals and block parties, organizations and cities are vying with one another to bring Quebec to life. In every region, there are events not to be missed by elected officials. At the beginning of July, for example, the Prime Minister was seen with his deputy Claude Reid at the Régates de Valleyfield. It's a great way to stay in touch with the population and recharge one's pride in being a Quebecer.
This period runs from early July to the first week of August. Except on rare occasions, employees and elected officials don't take all this vacation time. So it's a good time of year if you'd like to have a meeting on an issue that's not currently on the agenda... as long as you're not on vacation yourself!
Pre-session
By mid-August, everyone is back. The summer's reflections are pooled. Everyone takes a step back. We plan for the coming year, and more specifically, the return to Parliament. What topics would we like to put forward? The pre-sessional caucuses of each political party mark the start of the new year. The oppositions will want to generate news to draw attention to their activities and highlight the issues they consider priorities. The government will also want to do this, but it will be to try to direct the attention it naturally receives to its own advantage.
Are you a public affairs organization? You also need to think about the upcoming return to Parliament. What topics would you like to see covered in the media and in politics? What positioning do you want to put forward? Politics is, more often than not, a question of aligning the stars. Having a strategy and preparing in advance means you can take advantage when opportunities arise...and, above all, make the most of the summer days you have left!
