Summer 2013 Byelections: Poll-Defying Results Give All Parties a Reason to Smile Yesterday was Election Day for five rare summer provincial byelections, which gave all three parties a reason to smile. Kathleen Wynne, Tim Hudak, and Andrea Horwath all delivered victory speeches highlighting their successes and identifying the direction their parties will take when the … Read more
Originally published on June 14, 2013 by the Huffington Post Canada At a recent seminar in Tokyo designed to generate investment in Canada’s natural resource sector, the interest among Japanese investors was evident. But it was equally clear that Canada faces stiff competition to woo investors who need compelling reasons to choose Canada over other … Read more
Montréal, QC – May 29, 2013 – In keeping with its goal to bring together the best talent in each sector, No. 1-rated public relations and government affairs agency Hill+Knowlton Strategies (H+K) is pleased to announce that Mario Lavoie joined its team of communications professionals. With solid experience in strategic consulting in the public sector … Read more
As I leave for Japan today to speak at a conference hosted by the Canadian Embassy entitled “Investing in Canada’s Natural Resources: Navigating the New Landscape”, I notice that the prime minister is travelling to Columbia to be an observer at the Pacific Alliance trade meeting involving Chile, Columbia, Mexico, and Peru. Early in his … Read more
Our national public affairs service leader Elizabeth Roscoe recently spoke at the Government Relations and Effective Lobbying conference in Toronto, presented by the Canadian Institute. The topic of Elizabeth’s presentation was “Analyzing the Effects of Public Affairs and Government Relations in M&A and Big Transactions”. Those who are involved in the M&A field having been … Read more
This article was originally published in Policy Magazine, April/May 2013 One of the more surprising aspects of the Harper government over the course of its seven years in power has been the evolution of its stance on foreign direct investment (FDI). While in opposition, the Conservatives mostly advocated a policy of minimal restriction on FDI, … Read more
The first instinct Western governments appear to have as SOEs begin to buy up companies, land, and resources is to put restrictions on these investments. The Government of Canada wisely approved CNOOC’s acquisition of Nexen because it conformed to existing rules. But the government quickly shut the door on future SOE takeovers of Canadian-owned companies … Read more
This article was originally published on Bloomberg.com on August 21, 2012. Hill & Knowlton Strategies is the busiest lobbying firm in Ottawa for foreign takeovers, using lessons learned from the country’s biggest failed takeover bid to advise Cnooc Ltd. (883) on its $15.1 billion offer for Nexen Inc. (NXY) The Canadian division of the New … Read more
Spanning 240 km, Ultramar’s proposed Pipeline Saint-Laurent would link the Lévis-based refinery with the distribution centre in east Montréal – but not without approvals from various ministries, organizations and regulatory bodies. We worked with Ultramar to manage the complex government requirements ranging from permits to the successful adoption of two private members’ bills (Bill n°229 … Read more
Halton Healthcare Services, which operates hospitals in Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills, asked H+K to develop and implement a community engagement and communications strategy to build support for the New Oakville Hospital. Community acceptance was needed to relocate the hospital to the north end of town and for municipal funding for the redevelopment project. After … Read more
