Campaigns Summary - April 2026

This document summarizes key updates and ongoing campaigns from the campaigns Slack channel.

New Advocacy Tools and Campaigns

Newmode Modules: Development of new modules has enabled targeting MLAs, Councillors, and MPs with personalized messages. There is also experimentation with a “Local Press” toggle.
Conditional Messaging: Newmode v2 now supports conditional messaging based on party affiliation, enhancing campaign tailoring.
Shift in Strategy: Discussions indicate a move away from email campaigns toward call campaigns and letters to editors due to declining email effectiveness.
Microcampaign - Basic Income Budget 2025: A microcampaign is underway, including A/B testing for email subjects like “A Canada Strong Budget means investing in Canadians” and “Canada’s Budget should defend your economic security.”
Activity Stream & Map View: Newmode v2 features an Activity Stream (common on many donation/petition platforms) and a map view of submissions by riding for post-campaign follow-ups.

National Reach: Activists have successfully sent factsheets and personal letters to MPs in 15% of Canadian ridings.
Personal Stories: Impactful stories from supporters include a financial analyst concerned about automation and a senior reflecting on automation from 65 years ago. These are often converted into quote images for broader sharing.
Government Engagement: Mark Carney’s office has shown significant engagement, opening 90% of emails from UBIWorks supporters. These emails highlight UBI as a dividend from common resources and its role in food security.
Physical Mail Impact: A handwritten letter from a Yukon activist to MP Brendan Hanley was noted as particularly effective, demonstrating the power of personalized physical outreach.
Grassroots Influence: Growing grassroots energy for political influencing campaigns, including some activists organizing others in their riding to send mail.
Tax Fairness: A supporter highlighted that single seniors pay double the tax of married couples, indicating an area for advocacy (from “Single Seniors for Tax Fairness”).

Basic Income BC (Susan Abells): Collaborating on a paper petition campaign targeting 500 people to gather 30 written signatures each, aiming for an MP house presentation. Marie Burge (PEI Demonstration Project) and Tana are assisting with material drafting.
United Church of Canada: Utilizing UBIWorks assets in a video to mobilize their members to support basic income.
Potential Events: Discussions around a potential event with Eric Lombardi in Ottawa and connecting with Shane Parrish regarding the Build Canada SWF memo.

Tracking Challenges: Real physical conversion on direct mail drives remains difficult to track, relying mainly on webpage clicks and verbal confirmations.
Newmode Example: UBIWorks is consistently cited by Newmode founder, Steve, as a leading example of effective activism.