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.
British Columbia
With the BC a minority government ahead, refreshing your government relations strategy is essential to succeed.
Reaching across the aisle is critical. Advancing priorities will require thoughtful engagement with the NDP and the Conservatives in a more divided legislature.
At Wellington Advocacy, our advisors possess the diverse expertise necessary to navigate these dynamics.
British Columbia is a thriving hub of global trade and investment, serving as Canada’s gateway to the Indo-Pacific. The province’s strategic location, with two transcontinental rail terminals and 27 major cargo and passenger ports, connects Asia and North America and has earned B.C. the title of Canada’s Pacific Gateway.
While historically based in resource industries, B.C.’s economy is now dominated by services, accounting for 80% of the workforce and growing with over 3.5% annual growth in recent years. The province is poised for continued growth, with green tech, digital media, life sciences, natural resources, and services such as healthcare, technology, and retail driving the economy. B.C. remains rich in agriculture, particularly in the fruit orchards and dairy farms of the Okanagan and Fraser Valley, and areas such as Northern B.C., are thriving due to oil and gas exploration.
B.C. boasts a talented labor pool, boosted by immigration and a world-renowned education system that consistently ranks highly in global university rankings.
Advisors
British Columbia is a thriving hub of global trade and investment, serving as Canada’s gateway to the Indo-Pacific. The province’s strategic location, with two transcontinental rail terminals and 27 major cargo and passenger ports, connects Asia and North America and has earned B.C. the title of Canada’s Pacific Gateway.
While historically based in resource industries, B.C.’s economy is now dominated by services, accounting for 80% of the workforce and growing with over 3.5% annual growth in recent years. The province is poised for continued growth, with green tech, digital media, life sciences, natural resources, and services such as healthcare, technology, and retail driving the economy. B.C. remains rich in agriculture, particularly in the fruit orchards and dairy farms of the Okanagan and Fraser Valley, and areas such as Northern B.C., are thriving due to oil and gas exploration.
B.C. boasts a talented labor pool, boosted by immigration and a world-renowned education system that consistently ranks highly in global university rankings.
Practice Lead
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.
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.
Delivering value for our clients
Practice Leads
Leah Ward
Vice President
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 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. Leah recently served in the NDP war room during the 2024 British Columbia provincial election.
Nick Koolsbergen
Chief Executive officer
As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wellington Advocacy, Nick draws on his 15 years of political experience across Canada to advise the senior leadership of some of Canada’s largest companies and associations. Prior to Wellington, Nick directed issues management for the Prime Minister of Canada, served as Chief of Staff to the former Premiers of British Columbia and Alberta, and as a political party Campaign Director.
Peter Csillag
Vice President
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. 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.
Ethan Lecavalier-Kidney
Consultant
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. Most recently, Ethan served in the Conservative war room during 2024 British Columbia provincial election. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science.
Expertise
- Albera
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Federal & Trade
- Partnerships
- Political Campaign
- Management
- Opposition Research
- Parliamentary Committees