Case
Wellington partnered with a major global e-commerce company experiencing significant market vulnerably in Canada.
Federal policy-makers were scrutinizing “fast fashion” retailers, linking them to forced labour and environmental harm. Exporters and manufacturers to Canada were also facing delays and higher costs as regulatory bodies tightened import rules that targeted “undesirable” companies and countries.
The company sought a strategic partner to help better understand the Government of Canada, build relationships with key government stakeholders and shape government policy and regulatory outcomes.
Problem
The retailer’s reputation and market access were vulnerable as legislators introduced new measures affecting supply chains, trade regulations, and competition. The company risked exclusion from critical conversations and becoming subject to regulations developed without facts or perspective.
Value Creation
Wellington Advocacy executed a comprehensive government relations strategy to protect and advance our partner’s interests in Canada. We conducted a full regulatory and legislative review, monitored parliamentary developments, and positioned the company as a responsible and valuable contributor to the Canadian economy.
Our work included building the brand’s reputation with decision-makers and guiding the company through border regulations and compliance issues. We mapped key stakeholders, developed targeted communications, and engaged a multipartisan network to secure meetings and advocate on the retailer’s behalf.
Our approach advanced the company’s priorities with government, managed its regulatory and legislative risk profile, and strengthened its reputation with the Government of Canada.
Results/Impact
Access to key federal decision-makers
Our partner has established itself as a credible partner with the federal government. It successfully engaged key federal decision-makers to share its perspective on supply chain, trade, and regulatory issues, helping prevent policy changes harmful to its market share in Canada.
Coalition of support on a critical policy file
Through our coalition-building efforts, the company joined a growing industry voice supporting a key policy priority, which helped prompt the government to pause regulatory changes that could have impeded our partner’s growth in Canada.
Strengthened policy submissions and mandated reports
We drafted legislatively mandated reports required of our partner and strengthened the company’s positioning by tailoring the reports to resonate with Canadian policymakers.
Navigate Canada’s evolving policy environment with confidence
Our efforts ‘ strengthened the retailer’s government relationships, delivered timely intelligence, and shaped government policy in ways that protected our partner’s market share.