Elections Canada is an independent agency of Parliament whose mandate is to be prepared at all times to conduct federal general elections, by-elections and referendums, to carry out voter education and information programs, and to provide support to federal electoral boundaries commissions.

We were selected to help this important Federal agency to select new advertising, media and public relations agencies to support Elections Canada’s communications needs for a five-year term. The non-partisan nature of Elections Canada made it essential that the process of selection be seen as transparent and impartial - based on fact not favoritism! As well, the complex nature of the assignment and its size, and the need to source a Canadian-controlled supplier (a matter of Public Works policy), drove Elections Canada to procure outside expertise to direct the process.

Working with Elections Canada communications staff and senior management, we drafted detail requirements, questionnaires and processes to be followed. We created the copy for ‘tender’ advertisements, led the briefing of candidate agencies, and guided the evaluation committee through the various stages of assessment. This process was completed to Elections Canada’s satisfaction in a rigorous five-month process in which a consortium of agencies was chosen. Led by an Ottawa-based creative agency, specialist agencies in media buying, public relations and aboriginal/ethnic communications would meet the complex needs of Elections Canada.