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.
Ontario
Ontario’s combined Gross Domestic Product is over $18 trillion and its economy is fueled by innovation, manufacturing, exports and natural resources. The province contributes almost 40% of Canada’s GDP.
In 2021, the value of trade crossing the Canada-U.S. border was in excess of $1 trillion in goods and services, of which over $700 million can be attributed to trade between the United States and Ontario.
Wellington Advocacy actively represents dozens of companies, nonprofits and brands that seek to influence policy in Canada’s largest province.
Delivering value for our clients
Practice Leads
Representing interests across all segments of the economy, Sam Duncan and Trisha Rinneard tirelessly advocate for client objectives.
As a former Executive Director of Policy to the Premier of Ontario, Sam understands how policy is formed in Ontario, who gets consulted, and when decisions get made. He is an expert in key ministerial portfolios including Finance, Treasury Board and Infrastructure. A leader in his field, Sam has overseen the Government of Ontario’s budget planning process, stakeholder and caucus consultations on policy development.
With more than fifteen years of experience in Ontario politics, Trisha works with clients to ensure their perspectives are heard by Members of Provincial Parliament, Cabinet Ministers and the civil service. She has worked for the Leader of the Ontario PC Party, Ontario’s Minister of Education, and led government relations for one of Canada’s largest universities.
Working together, Sam and Trisha offer unrivaled advice and analysis to clients.
Nicko is a seasoned government relations professional with an expert understanding of building relationships, achieving consensus, and delivering results in high-stakes political environments. Before joining Wellington, Nicko worked in the private sector, advising some of Canada’s leading businesses on navigating the complexity of government. He has also served as a senior advisor in the Ontario government, political offices, and the civil service. He led teams responsible for policy development, stakeholder relations, and communications. Nicko concluded his tenure in government as Director of Policy to the Attorney General of Ontario, where he led the ministry’s policy mandate and managed politically sensitive legal affairs files.
Nicko is a seasoned government relations professional with an expert understanding of building relationships, achieving consensus, and delivering results in high-stakes political environments. Before joining Wellington, Nicko worked in the private sector, advising some of Canada's leading businesses on navigating the complexity of government. He has also served as a senior advisor in the Ontario government, political offices, and the civil service. He led teams responsible for policy development, stakeholder relations, and communications. Nicko concluded his tenure in government as Director of Policy to the Attorney General of Ontario, where he led the ministry's policy mandate and managed politically sensitive legal affairs files.
Areas of Expertise: Government Relations, Policy Development, Issues Management, Digital Health Care Policy
Sam brings close to 15 years of senior executive political and private sector experience to Wellington Advocacy. He worked as Executive Director of Policy to the Premier of Ontario where he was responsible for leading the government’s strategic policy development and implementation process. Sam has also served as a senior advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada and several federal Cabinet Ministers.
Areas of Expertise: Government Relations, Policy Development, Issues Management, Digital Health Care Policy
Sam brings close to 15 years of senior executive political and private sector experience to Wellington Advocacy. He worked as Executive Director of Policy to the Premier of Ontario where he was responsible for leading the government’s strategic policy development and implementation process. Sam has also served as a senior advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada and several federal Cabinet Ministers.
Areas of Expertise: Government Relations, Stakeholder Management, Relationship Building
With more than fifteen years of experience in Ontario provincial politics, Trisha has an instinctive understanding of government relations, stakeholder management, communications and relationship building. Trisha has worked for the Leader of the Ontario PC Party, Ontario’s Minister of Education, and as the Manager of Government Relations for one of Canada’s largest universities.
Areas of Expertise: Government Relations, Stakeholder Management, Relationship Building
With more than fifteen years of experience in Ontario provincial politics, Trisha has an instinctive understanding of government relations, stakeholder management, communications and relationship building. Trisha has worked for the Leader of the Ontario PC Party, Ontario’s Minister of Education, and as the Manager of Government Relations for one of Canada’s largest universities.
Areas of Expertise: Government Relations, Stakeholder Relations, Healthcare Policy and Relationship Building
Laurel is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in provincial politics and government relations, specializing in the field of healthcare. During her time as the Director of Stakeholder Relations for the Minister of Health, Laurel’s contributions include managing significant partnerships and networks across the province. She also oversaw the implementation of transformative initiatives such as Ontario Health Teams and Ontario Health. Additionally, Laurel played a pivotal role in coordinating the province’s COVID-19 response. Laurel has also held roles at two of Ontario’s largest healthcare associations: the Ontario Medical Association and the Ontario Hospital Association.
Areas of Expertise: Government Relations, Stakeholder Relations, Healthcare Policy and Relationship Building
Laurel is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in provincial politics and government relations, specializing in the field of healthcare. During her time as the Director of Stakeholder Relations for the Minister of Health, Laurel’s contributions include managing significant partnerships and networks across the province. She also oversaw the implementation of transformative initiatives such as Ontario Health Teams and Ontario Health. Additionally, Laurel played a pivotal role in coordinating the province's COVID-19 response. Laurel has also held roles at two of Ontario's largest healthcare associations: the Ontario Medical Association and the Ontario Hospital Association.
Expertise
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Quebec
- Federal & Trade
- Partnerships
- Political Campaign
- Management
- Opposition Research
- Parliamentary Committees