Policy Advocacy Toolkit

Why Policy Matters

Grassroots action (bank switches, unions, co-ops) builds power, but policy locks in gains. Without legislation:

• Big 5 banks can block credit union growth via regulatory capture
• Unions face anti-labour laws (Alberta's Bill 32 weakened card-check)
• Co-ops lack financing (no federal equivalent to US SBA loans)

Reset Phase 2-3: Policy advocacy scales victories. A 1% wealth tax on assets >$10M generates $5.6 billion/year (PBO 2025)—funding CLTs, co-ops, and citizens' dividends.

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Three-Level Strategy

Municipal (Easiest Wins)

Timeline: 6-18 months
Targets: Progressive councils (Vancouver, Toronto, Montréal)
Asks:

• Vacancy taxes (500% on empty homes/commercial) → Fund CLTs
• CLT land donations (surplus city lots)
• Living wage ordinances ($25/hour for city contractors)
• Co-op zoning preferences (fast-track permits)

Provincial (Medium Difficulty)

Timeline: 1-3 years
Targets: NDP/Green governments (BC, QC potential)
Asks:

• Speculation taxes (expand BC's SVT to AB, ON)
• Card-check unionization (auto-certify at 55%)
• Worker co-op incentives (tax credits, grants)
• Wealth taxes (1-2% on >$10M assets)

Federal (Hardest, Highest Impact)

Timeline: 3-5 years
Targets: NDP (if minority government leverage)
Asks:

• Capital gains reform (66.7% inclusion → 100%)
• Offshore haven crackdown (close loopholes costing $3.65B/year)
• Co-op Development Bank ($1B fund for worker co-ops)
• Citizens' Wealth Fund (2-3% TSX transaction tax)

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Campaign Roadmap (12 Months)

Months 1-3: Research & Coalition

1. Pick Your Target Policy:

   • Choose ONE specific ask (don't dilute focus)
   • Criteria: High impact, winnable, aligned with local appetite
   • Example: BC vacancy tax expansion to Alberta

2. Research:

   • Precedents: What jurisdictions passed similar laws? (e.g., BC SVT 2018)
   • Costing: How much revenue/impact? (Use PBO, C4TF reports)
   • Opposition: Who will fight this? (Real estate lobby, chambers of commerce)

3. Build Coalition:

   • Core: 99% Reset chapter, union locals, tenant unions
   • Allies: Churches, environmental groups, student unions
   • Credibility: Economists, lawyers, academics (for testimony)
   • Goal: 20+ orgs signed on to platform

Months 4-6: Public Education

4. Messaging:

   • Problem: "Alberta has 15,000 vacant homes while 4,000 are homeless."
   • Solution: "A 500% vacancy tax raises $50M/year for affordable housing—like BC's SVT."
   • Moral: "Hoarding homes for profit while families sleep in cars is wrong."

5. Tools:

   • One-pager: PDF with stats, precedent, ask (template below)
   • Social media: Infographics, videos (30-60 sec), testimonials
   • Op-eds: Submit to local papers (Edmonton Journal, Calgary Herald)
   • Town halls: Host 3-5 public meetings (union halls, libraries)

6. Petition:

   • Goal: 10,000+ signatures (shows public support)
   • Platforms: Change.org, LeadNow

Months 7-9: Direct Lobbying

7. Target Decision-Makers:

   • Municipal: City councillors (focus on swing votes)
   • Provincial: MLAs (target NDP, Green; pressure centrist Liberals)
   • Federal: MPs (NDP caucus, vulnerable Liberals)

8. Lobby Tactics:

   • Meetings: Book 30-min slots (bring 3-5 constituents + expert)
   • Script: "I'm a voter in [Riding]. [Problem] affects my family. [Solution] works in BC. Will you support this?"
   • Leave-behind: One-pager, petition signatures, coalition letters

9. Committee Testimony:

   • When: Bill goes to committee (public hearings)
   • Who: Coalition spokesperson (5-min testimony)
   • Content: Problem, solution, answer opposition's concerns

Months 10-12: Mobilization & Vote

10. Escalate Pressure:

    • Rallies: 500+ people at city hall/legislature
    • Media: Press releases, interviews (amplify petition numbers)
    • Inside game: Allies on council/legislature introduce motion

11. Vote:

    • Track: Who's yes/no/undecided (call undecided daily)
    • Turnout: Pack gallery (shows public is watching)
    • Win or Lose: If pass → celebrate; if fail → target elections

12. Enforcement (If Win):

    • Monitor implementation (governments often delay)
    • Sue if necessary (CCLA, tenant unions have legal resources)

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Template Legislation

Municipal Vacancy Tax (Sample Bylaw)

WHEREAS the City of [Name] has [X] vacant homes while [Y] residents are homeless;
WHEREAS speculation in housing increases costs by [Z]% over 10 years;

BE IT RESOLVED that the City shall levy an annual Vacancy Tax:
- Rate: 500% of assessed value for properties vacant >6 months/year
- Exemptions: Death, hospital stay, major renovation (with permits)
- Revenue: Dedicated to Community Land Trust fund
- Enforcement: Annual declarations; penalties for false claims

Model: Vancouver Empty Homes Tax (2017); Victoria Vacant Unit Tax (2023).

Provincial Wealth Tax (Sample Bill)

SHORT TITLE: Wealth Tax Act

DEFINITIONS:
- "Net wealth": Assets minus liabilities, excluding principal residence
- "Ultra-high net worth": >$10 million net wealth

TAX IMPOSED:
- 1% annual tax on net wealth $10M-$50M
- 2% annual tax on net wealth >$50M

REVENUE ALLOCATION:
- 50% to Citizens' Wealth Fund (dividends)
- 30% to affordable housing (CLTs)
- 20% to worker co-op development

ENFORCEMENT:
- Self-reported; CRA audits (penalties for evasion: 200% of unpaid tax)

Model: NDP 2025 platform (federal); Spain's wealth tax (regional).

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Lobby Meeting Script

Intro (30 seconds):

"Hi, I'm [Name], a constituent in [Riding]. I work at [Job], and I'm here with [2-3 others] from [Coalition]. Thanks for meeting us."

Problem (1 minute):

"Housing costs in [City] have risen 350% since 1979, while wages are flat. My family pays 60% of income on rent. Meanwhile, [X,000] homes sit vacant—hoarded by speculators like [Billionaire Name]. This is unsustainable."

Solution (1 minute):

"We're asking you to support a [Policy Name]. It worked in [Precedent Jurisdiction]: They raised [$X million], funded [Y units] of affordable housing, and didn't hurt the economy. Here's a one-pager with the details."

Ask (30 seconds):

"Will you vote yes on this? If not, what concerns do you have?"

Listen & Respond (2-3 minutes):

• "It'll hurt the economy." → "BC's SVT didn't—GDP grew 3% during rollout. Speculators leaving frees up housing."
• "We need more study." → "Fair. Will you commit to a vote within [X months] after review?"
• "I can't promise." → "Understood. Can we follow up in [2 weeks]? We have 10,000 petition signatures."

Close (30 seconds):

"Thanks for your time. We'll check in [date]. Here's my contact if you have questions."

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Coalition-Building Tips

Who to Recruit

• Labour: Unions have money, members, political clout (CUPE, Unifor, UFCW)
• Faith: Churches/mosques have moral authority (e.g., Kairos, Islamic Relief)
• Students: Campus groups mobilize fast (Canadian Federation of Students)
• Tenants: Directly affected (ACORN, Vancouver Tenants Union)
• Climate: Overlap on fossil finance (350.org, Council of Canadians)

What to Offer

• Shared platform: Co-brand materials (your logo + theirs)
• Division of labour: Unions mobilize turnout; students do social media; faith groups host events
• Credit: If win, everyone claims victory (builds future cooperation)

Red Flags

• Foundations with strings: Some won't support "radical" policies (e.g., wealth taxes)
• Partisan capture: Keep non-partisan (endorse policy, not parties)
• Mission creep: Focus on ONE ask per campaign

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Opposition Tactics (And Counters)

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Success Metrics

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FAQs

Q: Should we target right-wing governments?
A: Only if issue has bipartisan support (e.g., child poverty). Otherwise, focus on swing districts or wait for elections.

Q: How do we counter industry lobby groups?
A: Outnumber them with grassroots (they have money; you have people). Fill committee rooms, flood phone lines.

Q: What if we lose the vote?
A: Target elections. Defeat opponents; elect champions. Losing a vote educates the public and builds momentum.

Q: Do we need lawyers?
A: For drafting bills, yes (pro bono via law school clinics or union lawyers). For lobbying, no.

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Next Steps

1. Pick Your Campaign: Use decision tree (municipal easiest, federal hardest)
2. Download Templates: 99reset.org/resources (one-pagers, bylaws, scripts)
3. Form Coalition: Recruit 3 core orgs this month
4. Launch Petition: Goal 5,000 signatures in 60 days
5. Book First Lobby Meeting: Contact councillor/MLA office next week

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Resources

• Canadians for Tax Fairness: c4tf.ca (wealth tax research)
• ACORN Canada: acorncanada.org (tenant organizing)
• LeadNow: leadnow.ca (progressive campaigns)
• Policy Alternatives: policyalternatives.ca (CCPA—economic analysis)

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Last Updated: November 2025
Difficulty: Medium-Hard (12-36 months)
Impact: Very High (scales grassroots wins)

Questions? Email info@99reset.org or join a local chapter campaign.