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Government Relations

Introduction

We provide clients with full service government relations support. Wellington drives strategy, aligns tactics and develops the high impact products you need to create value.

Clients around the country trust Wellington to deliver real, tangible value and results. We are not in the business of forwarding you government press releases, we are in the business of shaping government policy.

Alberta

Alberta’s economy is growing and diversifying as quickly as its demographics. Though oil and gas remain the largest economic driver, real estate is now the second largest industry followed closely by business and commercial services. Alberta continues to have one of the most engaged labor forces in Canada, with the highest labor force participation of any province.

Wellington Advocacy actively represents dozens of companies, nonprofits and brands present in Alberta.

Delivering value for our clients

Practice Leads

Brad Tennant and Peter Csillag’s experience, policy expertise, and tireless advocacy deliver significant results for clients in fields across the economy ranging from aviation and energy to technology and financial services. Wellington’s Alberta Government relations team is further strengthened by company Vice President Leah Ward.

Brad Tennant’s time as Executive Director of the United Conservative Party gives him an unrivaled understanding of Alberta’s politics. He brings over a decade of experience in Alberta politics, and knows how to effectively deliver value for clients. Having worked at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Brad also offers a deep understanding of Alberta’s energy landscape.

With over a decade of experience in public affairs, politics and advocacy, Peter Csillag brings great insight into the Albertan political landscape. Peter’s experience as an advisor to a federal minister and as an issues manager in Alberta helps him understand what drives government decision-making.

Leah served as the Director of Communications for Rachel Notley and the Alberta NDP Caucus. Leah’s experience and insights from her time serving Premier Notley helps our clients navigate both sides of the political aisle in Alberta.

Brad Tennant
Vice-President, Alberta

Areas of Expertise: Strategic Communications, Public Policy, Policy Analysis, Policy, Government, Political Campaigns, Politics, Public Speaking, Campaigns, Speech Writing, Political Science, Political Communication Political Consulting, Fundraising, International Relations, Grassroots Organizing, Grassroots

Brad is a longtime political activist in Alberta serving as a senior advisor to provincial political parties. Brad has a long track record of navigating the Government of Alberta’s political and department levels to deliver unparalleled value for clients. Brad has also served as a professional fundraiser for political parties and political action committees in Alberta. Brad is an energy expert having worked with numerous energy companies in his time with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

Areas of Expertise: Strategic Communications, Public Policy, Policy Analysis, Policy, Government, Political Campaigns, Politics, Public Speaking, Campaigns, Speech Writing, Political Science, Political Communication Political Consulting, Fundraising, International Relations, Grassroots Organizing, Grassroots

Brad is a longtime political activist in Alberta serving as a senior advisor to provincial political parties. Brad has a long track record of navigating the Government of Alberta’s political and department levels to deliver unparalleled value for clients. Brad has also served as a professional fundraiser for political parties and political action committees in Alberta. Brad is an energy expert having worked with numerous energy companies in his time with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

Leah Ward
VICE PRESIDENT

Areas of Expertise: Government Relations, Corporate Communications, Issues Management, Western Canada

Leah brings two decades of experience in both the private and public sectors with expertise in providing advice to leaders and organizations that focuses on core goals and driving outcomes. Leah is the former Director of Communications to Rachel Notley and the Alberta NDP Caucus where they secured consistent and frequent media coverage exceeding that of all opposition leaders across Canada. Leah also served as a senior advisor to former Premier Rachel Notley during the NDP’s term in government where they provided advice and strategic communications direction to the Premier and Cabinet on environmental and energy policy, Indigenous relations, and social services policy. Leah has a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Alberta and an honors degree in political science from Carleton University. Leah is also an occasional commentator with recent appearances including CBC’s Power and Politics, CBC Calgary’s political panel, CPAC, CTV National News, CBC’s Alberta at Noon, and the CBC podcast West of Centre.

Areas of Expertise: Government Relations, Corporate Communications, Issues Management, Western Canada

Leah brings two decades of experience in both the private and public sectors with expertise in providing advice to leaders and organizations that focuses on core goals and driving outcomes. Leah is the former Director of Communications to Rachel Notley and the Alberta NDP Caucus where they secured consistent and frequent media coverage exceeding that of all opposition leaders across Canada. Leah also served as a senior advisor to former Premier Rachel Notley during the NDP’s term in government where they provided advice and strategic communications direction to the Premier and Cabinet on environmental and energy policy, Indigenous relations, and social services policy. Leah has a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Alberta and an honors degree in political science from Carleton University. Leah is also an occasional commentator with recent appearances including CBC’s Power and Politics, CBC Calgary’s political panel, CPAC, CTV National News, CBC’s Alberta at Noon, and the CBC podcast West of Centre.

Peter Csillag
Vice President

Areas of Expertise: Government Relations, Corporate Communications, Issues Management, Western Canada

Peter brings over a decade of experience in public affairs, politics, and advocacy. He advises clients on addressing policy challenges with governments in a range of sectors including technology, health, energy, environment, construction, and aviation. Prior to his consulting career, Peter held several roles in provincial and federal politics. He served as Director of Issues Management for the Leader of the Official Opposition and caucus in the Alberta Legislature, as well as the winning 2019 election campaign, and served as Senior Communications Advisor to the Government Caucus in British Columbia. At the federal level, Peter served as Director of Issues Management & Parliamentary Affairs for Canada’s Minister of National Defence, and held communications and issues management roles in the Minister’s office at Employment and Social Development as well as Citizenship and Immigration.

Areas of Expertise: Government Relations, Corporate Communications, Issues Management, Western Canada

Peter brings over a decade of experience in public affairs, politics, and advocacy. He advises clients on addressing policy challenges with governments in a range of sectors including technology, health, energy, environment, construction, and aviation. Prior to his consulting career, Peter held several roles in provincial and federal politics. He served as Director of Issues Management for the Leader of the Official Opposition and caucus in the Alberta Legislature, as well as the winning 2019 election campaign, and served as Senior Communications Advisor to the Government Caucus in British Columbia. At the federal level, Peter served as Director of Issues Management & Parliamentary Affairs for Canada’s Minister of National Defence, and held communications and issues management roles in the Minister’s office at Employment and Social Development as well as Citizenship and Immigration.

Clancy Bouwman
Senior Consultant

Areas of Expertise: Government Relations

Clancy brings experience working directly with federal and provincial party leaders and government officials. He served as Executive Assistant to the former Premier of Alberta for 3 years. Prior to that, Clancy was a political advisor on Parliament Hill in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. Clancy has experience in political campaign management and stakeholder relations, most recently managing a province-wide leadership campaign.

Areas of Expertise: Government Relations

Clancy brings experience working directly with federal and provincial party leaders and government officials. He served as Executive Assistant to the former Premier of Alberta for 3 years. Prior to that, Clancy was a political advisor on Parliament Hill in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. Clancy has experience in political campaign management and stakeholder relations, most recently managing a province-wide leadership campaign.

Ethan Lecavalier-Kidney
Consultant

Areas of Expertise: Public Policy, Economic Analysis, Government Relations, Communications

Ethan has experience at the highest levels of government in Alberta. Before joining Wellington Advocacy, he served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Finance and Press Secretary to the ministers of Justice and Public Safety and Emergency Services. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science.

Areas of Expertise: Public Policy, Economic Analysis, Government Relations, Communications

Ethan has experience at the highest levels of government in Alberta. Before joining Wellington Advocacy, he served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of Finance and Press Secretary to the ministers of Justice and Public Safety and Emergency Services. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science.

Expertise

  • Ontario
  • British Columbia
  • Quebec
  • Federal & Trade
  • Partnerships
  • Political Campaign
  • Management
  • Opposition Research
  • Parliamentary Committees

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