Advocacy v. Lobbying
Advocacy by definition is where a group, such as the Yellowknife Amateur Radio Society (YARS), aims to influence decisions with political, economic or social institutions. While YARS is not a lobbying organization per se, as it is composed entirely of volunteers. No member of YARS is paid to communicate with public office holders. YARS does have as its objects (as stated in its Articles of Incorporation)
- to foster, encourage and assist on projects, which in the opinion of the members will promote Amateur Radio;
- to further the enjoyment and understanding of amateur radio; and
- to provide assistance and support to Civil Authorities in times of emergency.
It is only natural that as part of these objectives it seek to influence decisions that directly concern these objects. In the Northwest Territories, YARS is often considered to be a stakeholder not for profit organization (NPO) or a non-governmental organization (NGO).
National and International Advocacy
YARS, through its affiliation with Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC), participates in bringing issues to its attention or engaging in issues of interest to radio amateurs nationally and internationally. Nationally, RAC has had a say in the development of regulations and statutes including technical requirements for amateur radio apparatus. Internationally it has had a say in the development of the CEPT permits which authorize amateur radio operators qualified and licensed in Canada to operate in other countries. RAC sends representatives to the International Telecommunications Union - World Radiocommunication Conference every four years. These conferences have led to the international expansion (and subsequent national expansion) of amateur radio operations on new bands and frequencies, giving the amateur radio service a chance to experiment and utilize new equipment and modes of operation in the face of new challenges from previously unused parts of the radio spectrum.
Stakeholder Input in Legislation-making in the Northwest Territories
YARS was instrumental in the development of distracted driving laws as they relate to the use of mobile amateur radios. This is a topic of national concern especially in the face of the use of cellular telephones while driving. In the Northwest Territories the Restricted Electronic Devices Regulations, R-100-2011 governs the use of amateur radio equipment installed in a motor vehicle.
YARS was also instrumental in safeguarding the use of amateur radio service licence plates on motor vehicles in the Northwest Territories. Such licence plates are often referred to as vanity plates, but there is nothing vain about them. They are a class of public service licence plates, not unlike licence plates for veterans. This is also a national and international interest as a Google search will reveal (and these plates are highly collectable). The Northwest Territories is one of the first jurisdictions to issue such plates in Canada. In the Northwest Territories the governing legislation is the Motor Vehicle Registration and Licence Plate Regulations, R-100-2011.
YARS provided stakeholder input during the development of the Emergency Management Act, SNWT 2018,c.17 and in particular provisions about volunteers including provisions regarding compensation (section 23) and liability (section 24). It also provided input to the amendment of section 4 of the Workers Compensation Act, SNWT 2007,c.21 to ensure that that Act would also apply to volunteers.
Conclusion
YARS is very active in advocacy matters that relate to the achievement of its objects. These activities are not always visible as YARS does tend to keep a low profile, but they are consistent with its objects and demonstrate that YARS is active in the community on behalf o all radio amateurs in Yellowknife, the Northwest Territories and, to some degree, in Canada and internationally.
Sources:
Non Profit Law in Canada (Council on Foundations)