Charlie is a Special Projects Manager at Grassroots Public Affairs and is based in Toronto. Charlie can be reached at charlie@grassrootspa.ca
A few weeks ago, I got the chance to head out to Ottawa in my role since starting to work at Grassroots Public Affairs. Jumping right into a major work trip like this was an awesome experience, and honestly, it was the perfect way to dive straight into the fast-paced world of public affairs.
Getting on the ground in Canada’s capital gave me a firsthand look at how this industry actually works at a federal level. My biggest takeaway from the week was realizing just how much public affairs relies on real relationships. Watching advocacy in action made it obvious that this business is entirely built on connections. Success here isn’t just about knowing policy inside and out; it really comes down to the trust you build with people, how you maintain those partnerships, and the strength of your network. Seeing how these spaces are navigated showed me exactly what it takes to make things happen.
The real highlight of the trip, though, came from the insightful conversations we had throughout the week. We had the chance to sit down with a variety of people, exchanging ideas on how grassroots strategies are evolving and discussing the unique challenges facing the industry today. These discussions weren’t just surface-level networking; they were deep, thought-provoking chats about where policy is heading and how to effectively bridge the gap between community advocacy and decision-makers. Hearing different viewpoints gave me a much clearer picture of how we approach client strategies and how crucial open dialogue is to get things right.
Beyond the work side of things, the trip was just a fantastic experience overall. It was a great way to connect with elected officials, political staff and to meet others in the industry as well as take in the energy of the city. Working so closely with everyone and being part of those high-level discussions was incredibly motivating.
I left Ottawa feeling energized, with a much better grasp of how we deliver for our clients. Overall, it was just a great time learning, having those valuable conversations, and exploring Ottawa, our great capital.
Charlie Somerville, Special Projects Manager
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