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8:30am
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Registration
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9:00am
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Breakfast with the Lobbying Commissioners: Exploring the evolving regulatory landscape in Canada
Speakers:
Nancy Belanger - Lobbying Commissioner of Canada
J. David Wake - Integrity Commission - Province of Ontario
Cristina De Caprio - Lobbyist Registrar - City of Toronto
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| 10:00am |
Keynote #1
One Term Wonder? The Chances for a second Trudeau Government
Speaker:
Greg Lyle, Managing Director of Innovative Research Group
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| 10:45am |
Refreshment Break
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| 11:00am |
Session 2: Concurrent Breakout Sessions
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Breakout #1:
Achieving Results in an Evolving Association Lobbying Landscape
Lobbying on behalf of associations takes into account many considerations. They include balancing members views, considering the evolving trends within a sector or subsectors and conducting evidence-based research to support your public policy arguments. Three panelists will share their insights on this topic that is relevant to public affairs professionals who lobby for associations
Speakers:
Harvey Cooper - Managing Director - Co-op Housing Federation of Canada, Ontario Region
Amanda MacKenzie - Manager, Government Relations - Ontario Dental Association
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Breakout #2:
From the Outside Looking In: Helping Clients Achieve their Public Affairs Goals
Public affairs consultants work with clients in varying capacities, whether it's working together with an internal public affairs team, directly with a corporate executive team, or as a vendor in a corporate culture that's new to government relations. Ensuring consultant work is responsive and aligned with internal goals and decision-making are integral to the success of consultants. Three panelists will share their perspectives and learnings on navigating different corporate cultures and structures to best work towards public affairs objectives.
Speaker:
Brianna Ames, Director of Public Affairs at Coca-Cola Canada
Joanne Pitkin - Account Director at Argyle Public Relationships & Advisory Board Member - Canadian Advocacy Network
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| 12:00pm |
Award of Distinction Luncheon and Keynote Address - David Agnew - President - Seneca College
With extensive experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors, David Agnew became the fifth president of Seneca in July 2009.
Under his leadership, Seneca has experienced record growth in enrolment and expanded its offerings in both undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the largest colleges in Canada, Seneca is growing its applied research, broadening international and corporate partnerships, investing in capital expansion and adopting an innovative academic direction to increase experiential, cross-disciplinary and flexible learning opportunities.
Mr. Agnew was Secretary to the Cabinet and head of the public service in the Government of Ontario, Canada from 1992 to 1995 after serving as Principal Secretary to the Premier. In 1995, he led the Public-Private Partnerships Project and was seconded to Massey College at the University of Toronto where he was a Senior Resident.
He was the President and CEO of UNICEF Canada, the first head of the organization recruited from outside the international development sector. As Principal for the consulting firm Digital 4Sight, he led the firm's global research initiative on Governance in the Digital Economy, an exploration of the impact of technology on government and democracy. In the co-operative sector, he was the Executive Vice-President and Corporate Secretary for the Credit Union Central of Ontario. Mr. Agnew was the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments, the national dispute resolution service for consumers and small businesses.
Mr. Agnew's working life started in high school as a newspaper reporter in Toronto and he continued his journalism career in St. John's, Ottawa and Edmonton. He was the gold medallist when he graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a B.A. in political science. Following his studies, he was a Parliamentary Intern at the House of Commons of Canada.
Mr. Agnew is on the Board of Directors for Polytechnics Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada. He is the past chair of Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Colleges Ontario. He also serves on numerous other boards and committees, including the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC), the Council on Foreign Relations' Higher Education Working Group on Global Issues, Sichuan University's International Advisory Board, CivicAction Steering Committee, ventureLAB's Board of Directors and Canadian Ditchley Foundation Advisory Board. He is a former member of the federal government's Science, Technology and Innovation Council, a former director of the Empire Club of Canada and has served on the campaign cabinets of the United Way in Toronto and Peel.
In 2012, Mr. Agnew received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his service to the community.
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| 2:00 pm |
Concurrent Workshop Power Sessions Part 1 (Choose 1)
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Power Session #1:
Engaging Your Membership on Government Consultations:
Challenges and Best Practices
The government relations team of an industry association has an important role to play in helping member companies remain complaint with the law and stay up to date on regulatory developments. Members also expect their association to advocate and lobby the government on their behalf. This session seeks to identify best practices and challenges associated with associations engaging members in their advocacy efforts, while also looking at best practices in consulting with government.
Workshop Leader:
Scott Smith - Director, Intellectual Property and innovation Policy, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
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Power Session #2:
Going on the Offensive: Tools and tactics to create a Proactive Government Relations Strategy
Grassroots lobbying enables the public to reach legislature and make a difference in the government's decision-making process. Today, the use of digital platforms such as social media has only enhanced the public's ability to affect change from the grassroots. Companies and associations across the country are taking advantage of a grassroots lobbying strategy to advocate for different issues and stakeholders. This session seeks to outline how to create a successful and proactive government relations strategy for your firm.
Workshop Leader:
Leslie Noble - Principal - StrategyCorp
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Power Session #3:
Spreading yourself Thin: Effectively utilizing resources to manage media, political parties, and the public perception from Coast-to-Coast-to-Coast
Simply put, organizations with interests in multiple jurisdictions represents a considerable challenge. With finite human and financial resources, organizations of all sizes need to find ways to get the most bang for their buck, while not sacrificing the outcomes of what they are trying to achieve. Learn about the tools and tactics for how organizations can effectively maximize their efforts across vast landscapes, varying political and public interests, and a diverse population set.
Workshop Leader:
Lauren van den Berg
National Vice President, Government Affairs
Restaurants Canada
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Power Session #4:
Harnessing Social Media and Public Relations to Enhance Your Government Relations Efforts
When Marshall McLuhan suggested that "the medium is the message", he most likely wasn't referring to tweets and Facebook messages; but his words still ring true today. How we get our messaging across can be just as important as the message itself. As public affairs practitioners develop campaigns and approaches to government and the public, it is important to know the most effective tactics to ensure the message is received. This session will further explore the role of social media in government relations, and identify key points to consider when putting together your next campaign.
Workshop Leader:
Michael Edwards - Digital & Creative - Sussex Adrenaline
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| 2:45 pm |
Concurrent Workshop Power Sessions Part 2 (Choose 1)
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Power Session #1:
Engaging Your Membership on Government Consultations:
Challenges and Best Practices
The government relations team of an industry association has an important role to play in helping member companies remain complaint with the law and stay up to date on regulatory developments. Members also expect their association to advocate and lobby the government on their behalf. This session seeks to identify best practices and challenges associated with associations engaging members in their advocacy efforts, while also looking at best practices in consulting with government.
Workshop Leader:
Scott Smith - Director, Intellectual Property and innovation Policy, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
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Power Session #2:
Going on the Offensive: Tools and tactics to create a Proactive Government Relations Strategy
Grassroots lobbying enables the public to reach legislature and make a difference in the government's decision-making process. Today, the use of digital platforms such as social media has only enhanced the public's ability to affect change from the grassroots. Companies and associations across the country are taking advantage of a grassroots lobbying strategy to advocate for different issues and stakeholders. This session seeks to outline how to create a successful and proactive government relations strategy for your organization.
Workshop Leader:
Leslie Noble - Principal - StrategyCorp
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Power Session #3:
Spreading yourself Thin: Effectively utilizing resources to manage media, political parties, and the public perception from Coast-to-Coast-to-Coast
Simply put, organizations with interests in multiple jurisdictions represents a considerable challenge. With finite human and financial resources, organizations of all sizes need to find ways to get the most bang for their buck, while not sacrificing the outcomes of what they are trying to achieve. Learn about the tools and tactics for how organizations can effectively maximize their efforts across vast landscapes, varying political and public interests, and a diverse population set.
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Power Session #4:
Harnessing Social Media and Public Relations to Enhance Your Government Relations Efforts
When Marshall McLuhan suggested that "the medium is the message", he most likely wasn't referring to tweets and Facebook messages; but his words still ring true today. How we get our messaging across can be just as important as the message itself. As public affairs practitioners develop campaigns and approaches to government and the public, it is important to know the most effective tactics to ensure the message is received. This session will further explore the role of social media in government relations, and identify key points to consider when putting together your next campaign.
Workshop Leader:
Michael Edwards - Digital & Creative - Sussex Adrenaline
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| 3:30 pm |
Refreshment Break
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| 3:45 pm |
Keynote #3: Fireside Chat with Former Minister Chris Ballard: A Recollection of Time Served in Office and a Forecast of What is to Come
Chris Ballard has been a journalist, a public affairs practitioner, a business owner, a town councillor, a member of provincial parliament and a cabinet minister. He's taught college for new Canadians in Toronto, built businesses in Canada's far north with
Indigenous communities, and has canoed and hiked more kilometres of remote Canada than he can remember.
Among his proudest accomplishments is a couple of terms as President of the Public Affairs Association of Canada, where he escaped with an Honorary Life Membership. He's even prouder of being married for 34 years to Audrey, his partner-in-adventure,
and being dad to three great young adults.
Throughout all his jobs, the common thread of success for Chris is one of strong communication and inter-personal skills. He's a natural storyteller. Although he's an introvert, Chris really likes working with people. He's excited by the success of those
around him. His management motto? "Hire people smarter than you. Define what success looks like. Get out of their way." Chris loves chess. He hates to lose. If he had one, his personal motto might be "jump off the cliff with the confidence that you can sew
a parachute on the way down."
As a newly-minted MPP for Newmarket-Aurora, Chris was quickly promoted to Cabinet and brought in legislation to better protect Ontario renters, launched Ontario's Basic Income Pilot Project, oversaw Ontario's reintegration into the Western Climate Initiative and the launch of Cap and Trade with Quebec and California. He oversaw the launch of the multi-billion-dollar Green Ontario Fund, the reduction of sulphur dioxide emissions
(first time since 1974), and the implementation of a trust fund with First Nations to (finally!) begin cleaning up the mercury-ladened English-Wabigoon River System in northern Ontario. He was a member of the government's Treasury Board and a passel
of Legislative Assembly committees.
And now Chris is running for mayor in his hometown of Aurora.
Stay tuned.
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| 4:30 pm |
Closing Session - Pundits and Pints - A (NEW) PAAC Tradition
An early start to the President's Reception, our pundit panel will explore all things public affairs, including avoiding fake news, drastic policy shifts, operating in 24/7 news cycle, cutting through the increased noise, reduced internal resources, and much more! Hear directly from the people who write the pieces you rely on to do your job, all while enjoying a beverage of choice!
Speakers:
Robert Benzie - Queen's Park Bureau Chief - Toronto Star
Robyn Urback - Columnist/Producer - CBC News
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| 5:30pm |
PAAC President's Reception |
