Last week, members of the Direct Sellers Association of Canada Board spent two days in Ottawa, the nation’s capital, meeting with Members of Parliament (MPs), senators, and other government officials to help advocate for the direct selling industry. The event began with a board meeting, followed by a well-attended government reception and on day two, DSA Canada representatives met with MPs and other important stakeholders to discuss direct selling.
A total of twelve meetings were held with representatives of all major parties. The focus of all meetings was on promoting the important economic and social role that the direct selling industry plays in Canada.
Among the topics discussed were:
- The importance of upholding the independent contractor status of direct selling consultants, to ensure their ability to pursue meaningful earnings opportunities.
- The need for a national regulatory framework that provides a balance between entrepreneurial encouragement and consumer confidence.
- Promote investments that assist Canadians to work flexibly, including in the areas of digital literacy education, broadband internet expansion and the support of female entrepreneurs.
Every year, DSA Canada board members and staff meet with elected officials in Ottawa to support future collaboration and year-round opportunities to engage in and consult on a range of important topics.
“Our Day on the Hill is an excellent way for us to stay in touch with our government representatives and to raise awareness of the tremendous impact this industry has on the Canadian economy,” said Peter Maddox, President of DSA Canada. “We encourage anyone who is involved in direct selling to reach out to their local MP to share our advocacy priorities along with their experiences.”
Download DSA Canada’s bilingual advocacy flyer.
Photography by: Denis Drever
