Canadian Public Relations Society Calls on All Alberta Parties to Demonstrate Ethical Public Engagement and Fact-Based Communications During Election Campaign

TORONTO, March 22, 2019 /CNW/ - The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) appeals to all political parties in the current Alberta provincial general election to adhere to ethical public engagement and ensure all communications are fact-based and not misrepresented in any fashion.

CPRS also calls upon all public relations and communications practitioners and agencies providing guidance and counsel to the political parties and individual candidates in this election to resist requests to lower or abandon professional standards, or allow facts or details to be presented out of context.

Canadian Public Relations Society National President Dana Dean, APR, FCPRS LM said Albertans deserve factually correct information from all sides and the opportunity for genuine two-way communication during the campaign to make an informed decision on voting day.

"The creation and sharing of information today occurs at a pace that can overwhelm the audience, so it is vital that information shared with the voters in Alberta is accurate, fact-based and can be verified," said Dean. "This applies to all forms of communication and public engagement, whether a media release, a post in social media or statements during a campaign rally. We often see examples of unprofessional and unethical of communication and public relations during elections and the public deserves to be engaged professionally and to the highest standards." 

Dean added that the election campaign in Alberta has an opportunity to set the communications and public relations standards for other jurisdictions in 2019.

"Several elections will take place this year in Canada, including Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories and a general federal election, so the parties and candidates in Alberta can demonstrate real leadership by delivering their messages and materials in a professional and ethical manner that sets the bar high for the other election campaigns to follow."

For more than 70 years, the Canadian Public Relations Society has been promoting the ethical and professional practice of public relations in the public interest across the country.

About the Canadian Public Relations Society:
Founded in 1948, The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is an organization of people who practice public relations and communications in Canada and abroad. For the past 70 years, our members have worked to maintain the highest standards of practice and to share a uniquely Canadian experience in public relations.

A federation of 14 Member Societies across Canada, including Calgary and Edmonton, CPRS organizations adhere to the rules and regulations established by both the National and Local Societies.

At the core of our mission is advocating for the highest standards and ethical practice of public relations and communications management around the world. We believe ethical and strategic practice will make a positive contribution to the profession, our employers and to the communities we serve.

We build a national public relations and communications management community through professional development and accreditation, collaboration with thought leaders, a commitment to ethics and a code of professional standards, advocacy for the profession, and support to members at every stage of their careers.

Members of the Canadian Public Relations Society are pledged to maintain the spirit and ideals of a Code of Professional Standards, which can be found on the CPRS website:

https://www.cprs.ca/About/Code-of-Professional-Standards 

SOURCE Canadian Public Relations Society

Tom Ormsby, APR, President - Canadian Public Relations Society, Calgary, Member - CPRS Advocacy and Public Relations Committee, [email protected], [phone] Mobile; Cam McAlpine, APR, National Board Director - Canadian Public Relations Society, Presiding Officer - CPRS Advocacy and Public Relations Committee, [email protected], [phone]