Background

Dr. Stephen Andrews is a Government Relations advisor with our Toronto Office. He graduated from Queen's University with a Ph.D. in political theory in 1994. Stephen also has a Master's Degree in social policy from the University of Toronto which he completed in 1996.

Areas of Practice

• Stephen provides advice and counsel in the area of Government Relations, strategic communications, issues management and stakeholder relations, with a focus on provincial and municipal matters.
• Stephen is also the National Administrator of BLG's Climate Change Group.

Specifically, Stephen has been involved in:

• Developing and executing government relations programs for some of Ontario's largest local electricity distribution companies;
• Advising on, establishing and managing coalitions of companies and interest groups advocating legislative and policy change in the construction, electricity and financial services sectors;
• Initiating and executing government contact and relationship building programs;
• Advising a wide range of clients on establishing in-house government relations departments;
• Providing strategic advice on lobbying rules and codes of conduct for lobbyists; and
• Developing and executing integrated policy change strategies involving media, issue advertising, government advocacy, interest group and public relations.

Consulting Experience

• Advised major Ontario energy trade association on tax policy changes for district energy projects.
• Established an inter-provincial government relations program for a large bio-technology company on securing favourable treatment for a new drug treatment program.
• Advised on and developed legislative and policy monitoring program for several large local electricity distribution companies on Ontario.
• Advised large construction firms for policy changes to procurement rules and assisted in establishing an industry wide coalition to advocate policy change.
• Created and assisted in the execution of a government relations relationship building program for a large financial services firm.
• Advised and assisted in the development of a coalition building strategy for electricity trade association.
• Established several government, legislative and committee monitoring programs for energy, retail and financial services firms in Ontario.
• Advised elected officials on campaign policy communication strategies.
• Created crisis communication strategies for large municipal electricity distribution companies on Ontario;
• Advised municipal electricity distribution companies on shareholder communications strategies designed to secure project approvals.
• Established integrated communications campaigns for large electricity generator to position itself as an industry leader.
• Developed town hall consumer education strategies for large utilities in Ontario.

In-House and Government Experience

• Established Government Relations function at Toronto Hydro Corporation, Ontario's largest municipally-owned electrical distribution utility.
• Developed a government and stakeholder relations' strategy for the utility as it prepared for a competitive energy market. Managed nine staff and an annual budget of $5 million.
• Assisted in the creation of Toronto Hydro's investor relations function to support its first debt IPO.
• Served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Honourable Jim Wilson, the Minister of Energy, Science and Technology. He was responsible for advising the Minister on a broad range of strategic political issues related to the restructuring of Ontario's electricity market. Stephen was also responsible for ensuring the Minister was prepared for policy forums, Question Period, Cabinet meetings, and stakeholder consultations. In addition, he was also responsible for developing and executing stakeholder management strategies to neutralize threats to the energy policy agenda.
• Served in the government of Ontario as a policy advisor within the Ministry of Energy. Assisted in the preparation of Cabinet documents, research reports and policy options for senior government officials. He was part of a team of policy advisors that was responsible for the creation of the MacDonald Commission on introducing competition into Ontario's electricity industry. He also served on the MacDonald Commission as a research analyst and was responsible for analyzing stakeholder submissions and making policy recommendations to senior government staff.
• Served as Vice-President of Government Relations at Trillium Corporate Communications in Ontario. In this capacity, he worked with a number of Ontario's leading energy companies to position them for the restructured energy market. He advised on strategic communications, stakeholder and trade association affairs, and media relations. Stephen also advised on a number of consumer product clients and agricultural associations on government relation's issues.

Professional and Community Activities

• Policy Advisory Committee, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
• Vice Chair or the Ontario Energy Association's Government Relations Committee
• Member, Public Affairs Association of Canada
• Member, Board of Directors, the Government Relations Institute of Canada
• Member, International Association of Political Consultants
• Government Relations Committee, Toronto Community Living

Presentations

• Aligning with Partners and Coalitions in your Government Relations Strategy. Federated Press, Essentials of Lobbying Conference, February 2, 2010.
• Audits, Crisis and your Credibility. Crisis Communications workshop for the Chief Health Infomatics Executive Forum, October 31, 2009.
• How to be an Effective Lobbyist. Federated Press Essential of Lobbying Conference, February 19, 2009.
• "The Structure of a Government Relations Strategy". Presentation to the Canadian Society of Association Executives, October 2007
• "Developing Government Relations Strategies in Uncertain Times", 3rd Annual Government Relations Skill Conference, Ottawa, Ontario, February 2006
• "Building and Supporting Coalitions to Influence Government" 2nd Annual Government Relations Skills Conference, Toronto, Ontario, February 2005.

Publications

• 'Dealing with Lobbyists: Practical Suggestions for Civil Servants'. (Public Sector Management January 2009)
• 'A Seat at the Table: Persons with Disabilities and Policy Making in Canada'. (McGill Queen's University Press, 2001)