Hill+Knowlton Strategies and Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Awarded Project of the Year by IAP2 for Public Participation work

TORONTO, Sept. 13, 2019 /CNW/ - For the second consecutive year, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada (H+K) has been recognized by the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) with the IAP2 Core Value Project of the Year Award for meaningful public participation work. 

Working alongside the Canadian Partnership against Cancer (the Partnership) on its pan-Canadian engagement for the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control, H+K was selected to design and launch a large-scale, pan-Canadian consultation and engagement, to hear experiences with cancer care and ideas about a renewed strategy from across the diverse cancer community. 

"Our challenge was to proactively find, reach and engage underserviced people across Canada in a meaningful dialogue that listened to, valued and deeply understood their personal stories with cancer care." Said Ellis Westwood, Vice President, Public Participation at H+K.

H+K used a variety of online and offline techniques, including small group dialogues held in partnership with community-based organizations, serving "underserviced" or vulnerable populations including: seniors, new immigrants, persons living on low incomes, 2SLGBTQ+ community, racialized peoples, minority language communities, and those living in remote or northern communities.

"As a result of feedback from participants in this diverse and inclusive process, one of the five (5) priorities in Canada's new cancer plan (the "Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control") will be eliminating barriers that some Canadians face in accessing the cancer care and services they need specific to their needs," said Andrea Reed, Acting Vice President, Strategy, at the Partnership.

A wide parallel Indigenous-led and designed process also engaged Canada's First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, and three Peoples-specific priorities were identified in the updated plan. The entire modernized strategy can be read here.

This work was awarded IAP2 Project of the Year and Respect for Diversity, Inclusion and Culture Awards for 2019 because of the priority given to engagement with "underserviced" peoples. The modernized strategy that was developed coming out of the consultations and engagement can be reviewed in full here.

In 2018, H+K's work with Justice Canada on Transforming Canada's Criminal Justice System was awarded IAP2's Project of the Year award for Advancing the Field. This was a national dialogue to transform the criminal justice system that engaged a broad and diverse range of Canadians. Participation reached over 10,000 contributions and received written stories and ideas that hit above 1 million words. 

"We're honoured to be recognized by IAP2, who set the industry standards for public participation, and look forward to continuing to work with them to shape best practices and define standards in our field in Canada and abroad." said Jacques Bénard, Senior Vice President and National Lead of Public Participation at H+K.

For more information on this consultation, visit our website.

About H+K Canada's Public Participation (P2) Offering
H+K works with clients to involve the public, to hear their views and use these insights to make better, more sustainable decisions. With more than 15 years of specialist expertise, H+K's public participation experts methodically draw on deep sector knowledge and research capabilities. H+K's seasoned P2 practitioners work jointly with our sector specialists to design and implement best-in-class participative processes that fulfill our clients' societal duties to consult meaningfully and meet the expectations of citizens, stakeholders and communities who have an interest—whether directly or indirectly— in the issues and decisions at hand. By combining effective in-person and digital engagement strategies and tools, all participatory processes are tailored to meet the needs and challenges and respond to the context and issues of each project.

About the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer
As the steward of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (the Strategy), the Partnership works with Canada's cancer community to take action to ensure fewer people get cancer, more people survive cancer and those living with the disease have a better quality of life. This work is guided by the Strategy, which was refreshed for 2019 to 2029 and will help drive measurable change for all Canadians affected by cancer. The Strategy includes five priorities which will tackle the most pressing challenges in cancer control as well as distinct First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples-specific priorities and actions reflecting Canada's commitment to reconciliation. The Partnership will oversee the implementation of the priorities in collaboration with organizations and individuals on the front lines of cancer care – the provinces and territories, health-care professionals, people living with cancer and those who care for them, First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, governments and organizations, and its funder Health Canada. Learn more about the Partnership and the refreshed Strategy at www.cancerstrategy.ca.

About Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada
With seven offices across the country, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada is a leader in both public relations and public affairs. Headquartered in Toronto, the company is the No. 1-rated strategic communications firm in the country. Its experts specialize in corporate communications, marketing communications, public affairs, public participation, crisis communications, content marketing, data + analytics, social and digital communications, and creative services across a range of sectors. The only communications firm to have earned the Canada Order of Excellence for Quality from Excellence Canada, it has been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces in Canada for 12 consecutive years. Its parent company, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Inc., has offices in more than 40 countries as well as an extensive associate network; and it is a member of WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world's largest communications services groups.

News provided by: Hill+Knowlton Strategies
www.hkstrategies.ca 

SOURCE Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Jillena Oberparleiter, Business Development + Marketing Coordinator, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, [phone], [email protected]