CDDA · YOUR WORKING TOOLKIT

Good questions. Strong records.

Blank templates to learn, prepare and document your work. Explore freely, without an account or paid membership.

01Read the lesson
02Use the worksheet
03Practise safely
04Discuss & review

How to use these templates

Choose a kit or search by task. Open the fields and checks, then download a text file or copy the template. Use fictional information for practice. Downloading submits nothing to the site. Keep completed records in the approved channel; mandates, reviews and permissions remain separate.

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The template library

5 templates shown ·Selected for this workflow.
R-02
Research & evidence

Scope and research plan

Set boundaries, methods, owners and completion gates.

Download .txt
Open fields and completion checks

Required fields

  1. Question and exclusions
  2. Definitions
  3. Jurisdiction and date range
  4. Research tasks and owners
  5. Required primary sources
  6. Contrary-evidence plan
  7. Reviewers and due dates
  8. Publication status

Completion checks

  • Use primary sources where available
  • Give exact page, paragraph, section or timestamp
  • Separate facts, allegations, opinions, law, inferences and open questions
  • Record material contrary evidence and unresolved gaps

Typical roles: coordinator · regional coordinator

R-06
Research & evidence

Evidence matrix

Connect each proposition to evidence and contradiction.

Download .txt
Open fields and completion checks

Required fields

  1. Proposition
  2. Classification
  3. Supporting source and location
  4. Contrary source and location
  5. Reliability assessment
  6. Known gap
  7. Researcher status
  8. Reviewer decision

Completion checks

  • Use primary sources where available
  • Give exact page, paragraph, section or timestamp
  • Separate facts, allegations, opinions, law, inferences and open questions
  • Record material contrary evidence and unresolved gaps

Typical roles: researcher · reviewer

R-10
Research & evidence

Research memorandum

Present a neutral, reviewable analysis.

Download .txt
Open fields and completion checks

Required fields

  1. Question presented
  2. Short answer
  3. Material facts
  4. Authorities
  5. Analysis
  6. Strongest contrary position
  7. Uncertainties
  8. Conclusion
  9. Source list
  10. Author and version

Completion checks

  • Use primary sources where available
  • Give exact page, paragraph, section or timestamp
  • Separate facts, allegations, opinions, law, inferences and open questions
  • Record material contrary evidence and unresolved gaps

Typical roles: researcher

L-07
Government relations

Government briefing note

Give officials a short, sourced and actionable explanation.

Download .txt
Open fields and completion checks

Required fields

  1. Issue
  2. Purpose
  3. Executive summary
  4. Current framework
  5. Evidence
  6. Options
  7. CDDA recommendation
  8. Implementation considerations
  9. Contrary position
  10. Sources and contact

Completion checks

  • Keep advocacy distinct from verified fact
  • State costs and trade-offs
  • Use approved organizational positions only

Typical roles: advocacy officer · researcher · communications lead

L-09
Government relations

Written government submission

Submit a complete policy position to an official process.

Download .txt
Open fields and completion checks

Required fields

  1. Consultation or committee
  2. Submitting organization
  3. Executive summary
  4. Question addressed
  5. Evidence and authorities
  6. Recommendation
  7. Implementation path
  8. Costs and impacts
  9. Contrary views
  10. Appendices and contact

Completion checks

  • Confirm the applicable federal, provincial, territorial or municipal lobbying rules before contact
  • Obtain a written CDDA mandate and use only approved positions
  • Record the public office holder, date, subject and participants
  • Never offer a gift, benefit, favour or misleading information
  • Send required registrations or returns through the official registry—not through this workspace template

Typical roles: advocacy officer · researcher