Skip to Main Content
You are now in the main content area

Government Relations

The Office of Government Relations (GR) is a bridge between the university and all three levels of government in Canada. We are responsible for advancing Toronto Metropolitan University’s profile and vision, while building strategic relationships with government officials, community partners and other public sector institutions.

As a bridge between the university and all three levels of government, our team actively works to promote TMU’s reputation within government as a leader in high-quality, career-focused education and research. We monitor government activities and foster support for TMU's mission of applying knowledge and research to address societal needs and build up our cities and communities.

Working with elected officials, public servants, and government agencies, GR aims to:

  • Promote and enhance strategic relationships that advance the University’s goals. 
  • Provide advice to executive leaders, as well as to the leaders of various faculties, institutes, and units on government policies, initiatives, and opportunities. 
  • provides advice and training on the various lobbying regulations at the different levels of government for anyone looking at advocacy for a particular purpose.

Communication of Government Relations Intentions

  1. If reaching out to a government office holder or hiring a government relations firm to advise them, we encourage units, departments, institutes, centres, etc., to inform the GR department for advice around how the lobbying regulations would apply.  
  2. If inviting people from government/s to visit the campus for meetings, lab tours, funding announcements, major ceremonies, high-level visits, ground breakings and building openings, please inform the GR department, which can help to navigate the logistics of meeting spaces, security, etc. as well as recommending which senior leaders should be present. 
  3. If making specific requests to government(s), please inform the GR department monthly so that GR staff can manage the transparency and accountability obligations associated with advocacy.

Lobby Regulations 

As TMU is considered a part of the Broader Public Service, the university and its groups are prohibited from hiring external consultant lobbyists under section 4 of the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, 2010 in Ontario. Likewise, the Privy Council of the Federal government has issued a directive that indicates the relationship with the Broader Public Service, including universities, should be conducted directly and without the use of paid intermediaries. The directive also states that the hiring of consultant lobbyists for this purpose is unnecessary and an inappropriate use of public funds.

The reporting responsibilities of these different levels of government(s) are different with the federal regulations being the most prescriptive and with the most serious consequences for non compliance. 

Contact Government Relations for all other inquiries.