Counsel Public Affairs is one of Canada's leading public affairs consulting firms.
You can draw on the accumulated experience of former Liberal and Conservative cabinet ministers, senior advisors to Premiers, Opposition Leaders and Ministers, municipal leaders, industry specialists, veteran political campaign operatives and issues management specialists.
Counsel can provide you with personalized hands-on advice from an incomparable public affairs team.
Government Relations
Advocacy is not just about getting through the right doors – it is about delivering the right messages to those in power. Having worked both inside and outside government, we know how to relate your concerns to the government agenda, build your case and convey it effectively to those who matter.
Public Policy Development & Analysis
Public policy is about government weighing options, evaluating impacts and making choices. We understand the policy process and how to help your organization intervene effectively. We can help to ensure the facts are laid out, your case gets in front of the right people, and the policy implications are clear.
Strategic Counsel
You are your own best advocate. Our starting point is always first to understand your circumstances and objectives – in depth – and then help you to develop and implement the ideal strategy to get your message out and influence change.
Issues and Crisis Management
Managing issues is a proactive process, but we know that sometimes events occur that are beyond your control. We have the expertise and experience to help navigate the course, manage the media, cushion the public perception and map out the exit strategy.
Stakeholder Management
Skilled and targeted stakeholder management involves both recruiting allies and minimizing opposition. We can help you to identify, track and influence stakeholders, and communicate issues effectively.
Business Development & Profile Building
Whether it is setting up boards, recruiting investors, planning for the year ahead or developing a business prolife, Counsel has the expertise to help you achieve results.
Negotiation & Training Services
When it comes to understanding your goals and the path to achieve your goals, Counsel can provide you with the tools needed for successful negotiations. We can negotiate on your behalf or arm you with the negotiation skills you need.
Executive Strategy
Counsel offers executive coaching and executive training in all areas, from transitional support (such as performing interim CEO duties or briefing new CEOs) to strategic planning to enhancing executive profiles. We offer media and leadership training, as well as government relations training to ensure your company's executives are putting their best foot forward when representing the organization.
Business Strategy
We understand that the business world involves the interplay of business strategy with government regulation (direct and indirect), public affairs, communications, human resources, legal and government policy. Counsel offers executive services that are based on a deep understanding of these complexities with seasoned executives who can hit the ground running.
Workplace Etiquette & Protocol
In a time when business opportunities are pan-cultural, we provide business etiquette training, focusing on presentation, meeting and dining skills.
Governance
For non-profit organizations, government agencies and corporations alike, good governance is critical to strong performance. Having run and served on dozens of high-profile boards in all sectors, our Principals provide clients with strategic governance services, board assessment tools, protocols, committee structures and management policies.
Counsel’s Principals offer you the benefit of many decades of combined senior-level experience in strategic communications, public affairs, public relations, digital communications and organizational management. They are directly involved in all day-to-day client work, supported by skilled and efficient staff.