Advocacy is a big word. And it means different things to different people. As a social worker, advocacy has always been a part of my practice. Helping equip people and communities with the tools they need to thrive is advocacy.  To journey alongside clients whose identities are marginalized is to practice advocacy through solidarity. 
An early morning and full day of meetings at Ontario’s legislature buildings in late October was a new type of advocacy for me, and an impactful one at that!  

A group of social work leaders and I gathered to speak to MPPs, their staff, and civil servants about how social workers provide critical support to Ontario communities. 

While these topics can be shared virtually, it was clear to me that being “in the room” made all the difference to these important discussions about mental health care, school social work supports, and more. 

I was honoured to work alongside such a talented and diverse set of social work professionals during this important day. The wide representation of our group made a big difference. We invited social workers from across the province to share their communities’ needs and challenges with representatives from their own ridings in real time.  
In one case, an MPP from Niagara Falls was looking to connect with a social worker from southern Ontario. He was able to connect directly with a member of our delegation who was from the same riding. This truly proved our slogan from this year’s Social Work Week: “Social workers are everywhere!” 

 I was impressed by the thoughtful, well-researched remarks from each politician, representing all parties, during the morning reception. The Hon. Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community, and Social Services, even pronounced my name correctly, a small but meaningful gesture. There was a genuine spirit of curiosity in the air, reflected in the questions MPPs and their staff asked, the issues they raised, and the time they devoted to our conversations. 

 Our meeting schedule was both fruitful and intensive. A smaller group of us travelled outside the main legislative buildings, and since I was new to the security process at the other location, we accidentally signed in twice. Many thanks to the security personnel for their patience and understanding. 
Each interaction during the day was a reminder that, as social workers, our work is often professional and personal at the same time. Being face-to-face showcased this wonderful feature of the profession.  

 Our social work leaders and members did not leave their positionality at the door. Instead, they spoke with insight about how their professional expertise and lived experiences, shaped by their backgrounds, narratives, and communities, inform their perspectives. 

When discussing specific concepts, such as Individual Learning Plans, we had social workers in the room who were actively implementing these supports in their daily practice and could shed light on the current needs in school social work and more. We had social workers who could speak to their experiences from racialized communities, northern regions, and diverse social work niches. 

We received encouraging feedback from MPPs on our request to ensure dedicated funding exists for Registered Social Workers within interprofessional primary care teams. Policymakers seemed to support and acknowledge that social workers in primary care can connect patients with mental health support and community resources. We emphasized how this could reduce pressure on primary care physicians and allow them to focus on medical concerns.

This advocacy was strengthened by a group of social workers deeply engaged in direct service work related to the important shifts in youth mental health and learning that we discussed. Three of the individuals we met that day were also social workers, which made for lively and well-informed conversations. 
Again, it is certainly true: social workers are everywhere! 

In recent years, COVID-19 protocols have made in-person advocacy challenging. This event was a refreshing reminder of the power of face-to-face connection. We will continue to bring our concerns to our provincial government and to pursue these in-person connections as we advocate for our social work community.  

             Ajirioghene Evi 

             CEO, Ontario Association of Social Workers