Our Government Relations Group

Knowing who is making decisions, and why and how they're made, is key for clients looking to realize their business objectives within the Canadian marketplace. The Government Relations Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG) – the largest Canadian full-service law firm – understands the inner workings of Canadian Governments and how public policy is developed. Maintaining extensive contact with officials and elected representatives at all levels of government, as well as the key stakeholders that influence public policy, BLG is able to advance the goals and interests of our clients. Regardless of the issue, the Government Relations Group works with you, as part of your team, to attain your goals.

With in-depth experience of government and political processes, BLG is committed to your success. Whether its an analysis of a new legislation initiative or a complex policy assessment or the development of an advocacy strategy, BLG's professionals will provide the insight, analysis and direction. And where matters require specific technical legal or regulatory expertise, BLG is able to offer a multidisciplinary approach so that clients receive expert advice in a timely, seamless and efficient manner. For example, members of the Group work regularly with members of other Groups within the firm, such Public/Private Partnerships, Telecommunications and Broadcasting, Energy Law, Financial Services including Pensions, Tax, Municipal and Health, to provide the kind of expert service you require.

Like you, BLG believes that nothing less than excellence will do. This commitment to service has resulted in the frequent recognition of many of our legal professionals at home and abroad. Professionals in BLG's Government Relations Group were featured in the 2010 editions of Chambers Global – The World's Leading Lawyers, Best Lawyers in Canada^©, and the Lexpert^®/ American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada.

Additionally, Ottawa-based team member Gar Knutson has repeatedly been listed in "The Top 100 Lobbyists 2011" of The Hill Times.

At BLG, it begins with service. Our passion, drive and performance are poured into everything we do.

Our Services

BLG's Government Relations Group assists clients with a full range of services, including:

Monitoring political and public policy developments.
Analysing the potential impact of emerging government policy and program changes on client interests.
Preparing briefs, submissions and presentations to governments on behalf of clients.
Creating and directing advocacy campaigns on behalf of clients, including communicating on behalf of clients with government decision-makers.
Development of strategic advice that incorporates political agendas of the day with the technical expertise needed to meet or challenge any public pronouncements.
Advising on lobbying law and registration requirements.
Advising on Political contributions and elections law.
Advising foreign governments and businesses on Canadian government policy development and process.

Our experience

Lobbying Law and Compliance

Provided advice and counsel on the Federal Accountability Act, and provincial lobbying registration and compliance requirements to one of Canada's pharmaceutical company's that facilitated the development of its national government relations strategy;
Developed a federal and provincial lobbying law compliance framework for one of Canada's largest mining companies that ensured its lobbying activities met complex and evolving regulatory requirements.
Arranged lobby days on Parliament Hill for Canadian cultural industry association to advocate for funding.

Government Relations Strategy Development

Developed an advocacy program for one of Ontario's largest private construction companies to oppose new pre-qualification requirements for construction projects. This program resulted in the government suspending the new requirements and allowed the client to continue bidding on construction work in the province.
Designed a stakeholder and government contact strategy for a large pharmaceutical company that allowed them to re-submit a new drug treatment program for consideration by the Government of British Columbia drug formulary;
Established a multi-stakeholder coalition for one of Ontario's largest electrical utility's and an integrated public affairs and advertising strategy to motivate the Ontario government to open the provinces' electricity system to competition.
Provided federal and provincial strategic advice and counsel to one of Canada's largest integrated natural gas company's that facilitated the development of a multi-billion dollar energy project.
Provided industrial client with advice on where Canada's greenhouse gas laws are going and implications for investment decisions.

International Government Relations

Provided strategic counsel and advice to an economically critical foreign government that positively positioned it for its diplomatic activities with the Government of Canada and a number of provincial governments.
Developed and executed a provincial government contact strategy for a large integrated oil, gas and energy services firm from the Middle East that ensured a positive investment climate for its acquisition activities.
Advised various embassies on effective strategy to deliver their messages to Canadian Parliamentarians.

Legislative Monitoring and Policy Analysis

Developed a legislative and policy early warning system for one of Canada's largest financial service firms. This enabled the company to track key policy and legislative issues and develop management strategies;
Established a government issues tracking system for one of Ontario's largest electrical utility's that allowed it to anticipate threats to business plans in a complex policy and regulatory environment.