Why wouldn’t you?!?

Public affairs professionals are experts in navigating the government and its decision- making processes.

If your business had a legal problem, you would hire a lawyer, wouldn’t you?  If you wanted to build a skyscraper, you would hire an architect.  Why?  Because legal and infrastructure issues are best dealt with by experts. Preferably ones with lots of training and experience.

The same reasoning applies to hiring a public affairs professional. 

If you need the government to approve or provide funding for a project, to make or change a law, regulation or policy, include or exempt your business or industry from the application of a statute, or cut through red tape… why wouldn’t you hire a public affairs professional?

Public affairs professionals have (typically) worked in and around the government, and understand how the government decision-making process works.

At its core, public affairs focuses on influencing the government decision-making process for the purpose of shaping public policy.

Clients ask us why we call ourselves a government relations & communications firm, and not a public affairs firm.

The short answer: clarity. Our key practice areas are government relations and communications.
The longer answer: we are, in fact, a public affairs firm, but the term “public affairs” is often misused or misunderstood, so we thought it made more sense to simply say what we do rather than use a label that might be misunderstood.

So, what is “public affairs”?

If you are not clear on the meaning of public affairs, or how it differs from public relations, lobbying and government relations, you are not alone. There is no universal consensus as to what term to use when, and there can be an overlap of activities. But there is a difference.

Generally speaking, public affairs refers to developing and building relationships with the government or government agencies for the purpose of shaping government decisions (public policy). Public relations is focused on managing the reputation and relationship of a company, person or product, with the public. It is more closely aligned with branding, sales and marketing.
At its core, public affairs focuses on influencing the government decision- making process for the purpose of shaping public policy.

Companies and organizations use a variety of tactics to influence the government, which fall into two distinct but integrated activities: government relations (sometimes called government affairs – a term I personally dislike because it can have negative connotations as a double-entente), and communications.

We, of course, offer all of these services.

Absolutely! We offer a full menu of communications services including crisis management (and planning) and media relations (we can do this function on your behalf, of we can provide training to your team). 

You can learn more about our services and what we do here.

(link coming)

A stakeholder is any person or organization that has an interest in the outcome of an issue. Think of it as anyone who has a horse in the race.

Stakeholders play an important role in the decision-making process. Whatever the issue, you can be sure that there will be internal and external entities who have an opinion about a decision or action that your organziation or the government is considering.  Depending on how they will be impacted, it is important to bring them on side, as much as possible. 

The term “managing” in the context of stakeholders means taking their views into account in your planning process and meeting with them along the way. 

We can help your team with an analysis of your stakeholders and advise on strategies.  We can also take on this function to free up your busy team. 

Yes. We provide advice and services to organizations from other jurisdictions looking to do business in Canada, or are interested in gaining a better understanding of our laws and government.  

Generally speaking, a lobbyist is anyone who takes part in an activity aimed at impacting a government decision. It does not matter if you are a multinational conglomerate or an anti-poverty advocacy charity. It is the act of trying to influence a government decision that is at the core of the definition.

Most jurisdictions in Canada have enacted laws to govern lobbyists and who is required to register their activities.  

Note that the laws are different federally, provincially and municipally, so be sure you are looking at the applicable laws that govern your situation.

We can help you to determine if your activity falls within the legal definition of lobbyist and whether you need to register.  

It’s true. 

We are not hiring at this time.