Supporting Vibrant Downtowns  

Our downtowns and main streets are essential to the social fabric of our community, acting as a cultural and commercial hub for residents, businesses and tourists. However, community members and local business owners have faced significant challenges over the last several years. To ensure thriving downtowns and main streets, we must invest in projects and public spaces that promote accessibility, safety and vibrancy. A secure and welcoming environment encourages visits and foot traffic, crucial in increasing commercial and cultural activity. Yet, our main streets are struggling with underinvested infrastructure and inadequate public spaces. There is immense economic value in investing in downtowns and main streets. For our community to thrive, we must prioritize the safety and vibrancy of our downtowns and main streets and make the proper investments.  

• Question for your local candidates: If elected, what will you do to support the communities and businesses that make up your downtown and main streets? How will you advocate for robust investments into your neighbourhood’s downtown and main street to improve commercial and cultural enterprise?

Violent Crime & Theft 

Many downtowns and main streets are facing escalating or sustained pressures as a result of current government policy around violent crime and theft. While there has been much political rhetoric on this topic, the statistics in communities show that the problem is not being solved. Regarding federal statutes, the bail system needs amendments to better account for repeat offenders continuing to impact our neighbourhoods disproportionately. Sadly, in recent years, crimes have gone unenforced or have not been treated as a priority due to the lack of resources and the repeat nature of some offenders.  

• Question for your local candidates: If elected, how will you address local violent crime, non-violent crime and theft concerns, particularly those related to repeat offenders and the current bail system? 

Mental Health, Addictions & Homelessness Crises 

Canada’s downtowns and main streets are facing the effects of the overlapping crises on mental health, addictions and homelessness, each their own significant problem. These crises are playing out in our downtowns and main streets, often with tragic injuries and deaths to those in crisis and the broader public with the added elements of crime and exploitation. The status quo cannot stand.  

• Question for your local candidates: If elected, would you and your government commit to taking proactive measures to improve the well-being of people facing mental health, addiction and homelessness? Which mechanisms do you intend to deploy to achieve a tangible improvement on these issues as they affect your community’s downtown and main street? 

Liberal Party of Canada “Canada Strong”

• Their costed platform includes $130 billion in new measures. The Liberal platform includes a detailed plan on bolstering public safety through gun control, bail reform, and tougher sentencing guidelines.

Conservative Party of Canada “Canada First. For a Change”

• Their costed platform includes $100 billion in new measures. The Conservative platform includes plans to bolster public safety, reduce crime, and tackle mental health and addiction issues.

New Democratic Party “Made for People, Built for Canada”

• Their costed platform would increase the federal deficit by $48 billion. The NDP platform includes expanding mental health coverage and ending homelessness through building affordable housing.

Bloc Quebecois “Choisir le Quebec”

• The Bloc Quebecois platform outlines economic interests for the province of Quebec in light of tariffs and economic uncertainty.

The Voter Information Service provides information about your electoral district, including a map and the candidates and results for past elections. During an election, you can also see the list of candidates running in the district, the location of your advance and election day polling places and the address of your local Elections Canada office. Visit the Voter Information Service webpage here.

Using their names, find each candidate’s social media accounts or campaign website, and use the contact phone, email or online chat to invite them to walk through your downtown/main street with you to meet some of the local small businesses and hear about challenges and opportunities in the neighbourhood.   

Beginning on April 9, 2025, Elections Canada will regularly update their website to reflect the names of official election candidates. The advanced voting period is from April 18 – 21, 2025. 

When you contact your federal candidates, please inform IDA Canada by completing this online form so we can keep track of which candidates have been contacted. 

A great way to draw attention on the local issues affecting your constituency is by speaking to local media. As part of your outreach to political candidates running in the next Federal election, consider reaching out to your local media outlets to invite them to your main street/downtown to discuss the issues you are raising with candidates and why they are key concerns for the community. This will also inform your community about your advocacy efforts and their impacts. 

Click here to read the official IDA Canada Press Release.

As a member of IDA Canada, engaging effectively with the media is crucial for raising awareness, promoting your projects and establishing your organization as a leader in the community, especially during election times. Follow these steps to connect with the media effectively. 

Step 1: Identify Relevant Journalists 

• Research Journalists: Find journalists who cover topics related to your Business Improvement Area or Association (BIA). Look for local housing reporters, business writers, urban development journalists, community affairs reporters or lifestyle writers who report on local events including festivals and concerts. 
• Follow on Social Media: Journalists often share their topics on X, LinkedIn or personal blogs. Follow them to stay updated on their interests. 
• Subscribe to Publications: Monitor local newspapers and online news sites to learn what journalists focus on and how your BIA can connect with them.

Step 2: Craft Your Pitch 

• Know Your Story: Journalists get many pitches every day. Focus on what makes your story interesting, like a new BIA project that affects community members, an upcoming event or a unique community initiative. 
• Keep it Brief: Journalists are busy, so write a short pitch that clearly answers the who, what, where, when and why. Make it easy for them to see why your story matters. 
• Tailor Your Message: Adjust your pitch for each journalist based on their area of focus or political leaning of the publication. Show how your news is relevant to their audience. 
• Include Relevant Materials: Attach helpful materials like photos or fact sheets. Visuals can help catch a journalist’s attention and highlight your story. 

Step 3: Reach Out 

• Email is Key: Email is the best way to contact journalists. Keep your emails short and to the point. Include a clear call to action (like asking for an interview or coverage). 
• Timing is Everything: Send your pitch during ideal times (like mid-morning on weekdays). Avoid weekends or late afternoons when journalists may be winding down. 
• Be Respectful: Journalists often work under tight deadlines. Give them time to respond before following up. If you don’t hear back in a few days, send a polite follow-up email. 

Step 4: Engage on Social Media 

• Follow Journalists: Engage with reporters by following them on X, LinkedIn or other platforms. Share or comment on their posts to build a relationship. 
• Share Your News: If you’re hosting an event or have news to share, post about it on your social media. Tag journalists who cover similar topics and use relevant hashtags (including #IDACanada) for more visibility. 
• Direct Messaging: Some journalists accept direct messages on social media, especially X. Use this method carefully and only if it’s appropriate. 

Step 5: Foster Relationships 

• Meet Journalists in Person: Attend local media events or networking meetups when possible. Building personal connections can create trust and open communication for future collaborations. 
• Share Useful Information: Don’t just pitch your stories—offer resources and data to help journalists cover your BIA or industry. Being a helpful source increases your chances of being featured. 
• Be Available: Respond quickly and be available for interviews or comments. Journalists appreciate sources who can provide them with timely information. 
• Effective media engagement is key to showcasing your BIA’s initiatives. By following these steps, you can build strong relationships with journalists and proactively communicate your message, ensuring accurate coverage and maximizing visibility for your community and members. 

IDA Canada is diligently working to bring the interests of our members to the forefront of the federal government’s attention. Our downtowns and commercial main streets are directly impacted by decisions made by elected officials of all levels of government and with a united voice, we can influence national policies in key areas that will help our members across Canada. Click here to view the most current advocacy updates prepared by our public affairs team at IMPACT Canada. 

Click here to read IDA Canada’s 2025 Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the Upcoming Federal Budget.   

Download the 2024 Parliament Hill Advocacy Day issue briefs and media release [EN | FR].

In One National Voice: Recovery with Resilience [EN | FR], IDA Canada identifies five issues that all downtowns and main streets across Canada face and present program proposals to assist in resolving challenges. The sharing of these documents and the mobilization of all to help address these issues helps to create a clearer, united voice about national issues affecting the downtowns and main streets of Canada’s cities and towns. One National Voice: Recovery with Resilience is an update to An Urban Agenda outlining five national issues identified as being of greatest importance to all BIAs and SDCs.  

IDA Canada’s 2022 Federal Priorities document outlined key areas of focus, including strengthening main street and downtown businesses, addressing downtown challenges, and investing in skills and infrastructure development. While this document is archived, members can find valuable insights and language to support their own advocacy efforts. 

Quantifying the Value of Canadian Downtowns: A Research Toolkit (September 2016) is a groundbreaking effort intended to provide a downtown data standard – a common set of data and processes that will help Canadian downtown BIAs/BIDs establish and sustain downtown evaluation and compare progress in downtowns. Purchase the report in the IDA webstore. 

If you are launching an exciting project or initiative, let IDA Canada know  IDA Canada continues to highlight member initiatives across the country on social media. To be featured in a post, please complete the following survey through this Google form.