Queen's Park

Queen's Park Update: October 2020

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2020 continues to be challenging for everyone, governments included. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Ford government to chuck the playbook from 2019 and essentially start from scratch. Governments have never been very good at planning long-term but nowadays, with the pandemic and changing priorities on a weekly basis, every government’s priority is focused on protecting the health and well-being of its citizens; while simultaneously doing whatever possible to help an economy that has been devastated since the lockdown.
Governor General Julie Payettehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Trudeau lays out government’s plan with Throne Speech

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Yesterday, the government laid out its plan to get Canada back on track and move forward from COVID-19. With the Governor General reading the Speech from the Throne, Parliament has now officially reconvened and will begin to sit regularly (using a hybrid model of in-person and virtual sittings) with House of Commons Committees resuming after Thanksgiving.
Photo by Brian McGowan on Unsplash

3 Steps to Effective Crisis Communications

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Communication is a daunting and difficult task even at the best of times. In times of crisis, such as COVID-19, “difficult” rises to an entirely higher stratosphere. In the midst of a difficult crisis, (and let’s face it, there are no easy crises) and during those times when you might be responsible to communicate elements of that crisis, your abilities will be stretched to their ultimate limits. If you muck it up, the consequences may be severe.
Headshot of Erin O'Toolehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erin_O%27Toole_(cropped).jpg

Erin O’Toole wins CPC leadership race

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Peter Seemann reflects on the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leadership results, commenting on the challenges ahead for new leader Erin O'Toole.
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Prime Minister Trudeau hits the pause button on government business

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Chris Gray addresses today's decision by Prime Minister Trudeau to prorogue parliament and what to expect from parliamentarians moving forward.
Photo of Parliament Hill in summer

What's the latest in Ottawa as we head into summer?

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As provinces start to re-open and allow larger gatherings and businesses to resume operations, and Canada’s COVID-19 numbers continue to improve, we are hopeful that parliamentary meetings will also resume in a normal fashion come this fall.
Photo of Toronto in the summer

Queen's Park Update: Summer 2020

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If you thought the last few months of politics at Queen’s Park were a blur, you’re not alone
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Grassroots welcomes Catherine O'Gorman to the team!

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Grassroots Public Affairs is excited to welcome Catherine O'Gorman back to the team as a Campaign Support Specialist, effective immediately.

The Grassroots Greenhouse 2020

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As enthusiastic advocates for the Canadian Agri-Food sector, Grassroots Public Affairs is pleased to release our second annual agriculture and food research public opinion poll.

The view from Ottawa: federal response to COVID-19

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Chris Gray explores the impact of the COVID-19 virus on federal aid programmes, the advocacy landscape, and upcoming legislative activity.