Engaging with Counsel: How we can help you

About Alberta Counsel

Alberta Counsel was founded after the historic 2015 Alberta election. We are a multi-partisan firm with deep roots in Alberta, specializing in government relations on a provincial and municipal level. Our staff have a wealth of concrete political experience as well as extensive educational backgrounds focused on political science, communications, public relations, government relations, law, community development and public administration. Our team has been assembled to ensure we have good rapport with the provincial government as well as with the opposition parties and other levels of government.

What makes us unique

• Alberta Counsel is the largest and fastest growing government relations firm in Alberta today, and the only firm who can offer a truly multi-partisan roster of staff and advisors. • Our roster of staff and advisors is unrivalled in depth of experience, networks, and professionalism. • Alberta Counsel is committed to Indigenous reconciliation and is privileged to serve many First Nations and Metis communities. • We offer cost certainty to our clients by charging a set monthly fee rather than on an hourly basis. • Alberta Counsel is the only government relations firm in Alberta that is a law firm, meaning that we are able to offer potential legal solutions to our clients in the event that lobbying efforts are not successful.

Alberta Counsel’s relationship with the UCP Government Alberta Counsel’s Principals are Shayne Saskiw, a former Wildrose MLA and Official Opposition House Leader in Alberta and Jonathon Wescott, the former Executive Director of the . Both Jon and Shayne have played crucial roles in the development of the UCP. Shayne had met with in Ottawa with his wife MP along with other Alberta MPs at the time to discuss a potential federal Conservative Party of leadership bid. It was at that meeting that Jason outlined his ambitious agenda in Alberta and asked for support.

Shayne and Jonathon have personally recruited many of the returning MLAs to run in the last election – as well as many of the rookie UCP MLAs in this recent election - and both Shayne and Jonathon provide strategic, legal and other advice to them on a daily basis.

Alberta Counsel’s newest Associate, James Johnson, worked as a Special Advisor and Director of Research with the UCP as recently as the end of June. James has been an integral part of the conservative movement for a decade, working with the Wildrose Party caucus for seven years prior to joining the UCP. He brings a solid understanding of the UCP and excellent networks within both party and caucus.

Alberta Counsel’s relationship with the NDP Opposition

Alberta Counsel’s Director of Government relations is Pascal Ryffel, a former Outreach Director for the NDP caucus, he has recruited many NDP candidates over the years. Senior Associate Bronte Valk has also worked for NDP MLAs including former Health Minister . Alberta Counsel Associate Phil Johnson has almost ten years of experience working for the NDP caucus under former premier , and was most recently Chief of Staff to the Minister of Indigenous Relations and executive advisor to the Minister of Energy in the NDP government.

Services we can offer

The range of services we can offer is virtually limitless and can be tailored to the specific needs of the stakeholder. We have a significant talent pool within our office and are also willing to add specific skillsets if we need to in order to support a stakeholder in need of assistance.

The following services are the ones we provide most frequently:

• Situational Analysis: Alberta Counsel can leverage its connections within the UCP and NDP to determine the current state of a stakeholder, as well as the potential appetite within the parties to move on relevant issues; • Increasing visibility with the governing party or opposition: Alberta Counsel can increase the stakeholder’s presence with the UCP or NDP, including organizing meetings with key ministers, to ensure they are a credible and valued stakeholder that must be consulted as part of any relevant policy and regulatory developments;

• Ongoing intelligence: Alberta Counsel can send ongoing updates to the stakeholder on any relevant staffing changes within the government and/or opposition, as well as policy shifts relating to policy priorities of the stakeholder; • Strategic Advice: Alberta Counsel can provide ongoing guidance and support to the stakeholder as it engages with the Government of Alberta and/or Opposition. Direction can be provided on any correspondence, meetings, or any other contact with the Premier, MLAs, staff, or any other key decision-makers related to the Government of Alberta; • Relationship Building: Identifying, building relationships with, and soliciting support from relevant decision makers including elected representatives and their support staff, the public service, and other political influencers; • Meeting Support: Booking, preparing for, facilitating and following up on meetings and other communications with elected officials and other relevant decision makers, including applying a partisan lens to your written work and presentations; • Research: Monitoring, researching and advising on legislative debates, emerging issues, policy/regulation changes and relevant funding envelopes; • Communications: Creating updated, relevant and succinct briefing documents to support lobbying efforts; • Crisis Management: Troubleshooting and providing ongoing political, media, public opinion and sector intelligence and analysis including public service changes and cabinet shuffles; • Outreach Support: Assisting with organizing political outreach events and maximizing attendance of political decision makers; • Location: Providing access to Alberta Counsel’s office space in the ‘Ledgeview’ office building, strategically located across the and includes a large balcony overlooking river valley, for political events; and • Publications: Clients of Alberta Counsel are also automatically subscribed to our bi-weekly newsletter called The News from Alberta Counsel. It contains stories from legislation and policy, committee debates, the civil service, as well as profiles of political influencers, party updates and events. Stakeholders also receive a weekly update on Alberta politics called At a Glance, which are emailed out each Friday.

Our Team

Shayne Saskiw | Principal Born and raised in Alberta, Shayne had the privilege of being one of the youngest MLAs elected in Alberta. As an opposition member, the Official Opposition House Leader and a tax lawyer, he knows that strength in good advocacy and strategy comes from ethical relationships and a clear message. He is an expert in using various networks and strategies to achieve his client’s objectives. Shayne maintains a focused determination on the client’s goals with integrity and creativity. Shayne is married to Member of Parliament for Lakeland, Shannon Stubbs.

Jonathon Wescott | Principal Former Wildrose Party Executive Director, lawyer, trademark agent and business advisor. Legal counsel to Jason Kenney and runs Alberta Advantage Fund PAC.

Pascal Ryffel | Director of Government Relations Before joining Alberta Counsel in 2015, Pascal worked for four years as the Outreach Coordinator for the provincial NDP Caucus. He has had stints as provincial and federal organizer and ran in the 2008 election for the NDP in Meadowlark. Pascal has an MA in Media and International Development.

James Johnson | Director of Research Beginning as a research analyst, James progressively worked his way up to Director of Research for the UCP Caucus over 10 years. He was also a key member of provincial campaign teams in 3 Alberta general elections, serving in various roles including Tour Director, Issues Manager, and Manager of Candidate Selection. James brings a solid grasp of government and political communications, public policy, and legislative process. Rob Reynolds, QC | Senior Advisor Former Legislative Assembly Clerk and Law Clerk

Zack Ziolkowski | Associate Policy Advisor for AUMA, Former Director of Research and Communications for Government Members as well as a political staffer for the former PC government.

Jacqueline Alderton | Associate Jacqueline brings over 13 years of experience in government relations and politics, most recently working in the financial services sector providing strategic advice on government and public affairs. Jacqueline began her career in the Ontario Legislative Assembly and has lobbied in Ontario, Ottawa, and Western Canada. Through her work she has developed solid knowledge of complex regulatory and legislative environments successfully executing government and stakeholder relations strategies. Votham Anastasiadis | Associate Communications and economic development professional with broad experience among municipalities and Indigenous communities in northern Alberta

Cam MacKay | Associate Cam recently joined Alberta Counsel as a Government relations associate. Prior to this Cam was a city councillor for two terms with the city of St. Albert during which time he obtained a land use planning certificate from the U of A, served on the subdivision and appeal board and served as St. Albert’s representative on the Land us planning committee of the Capital region board.

Phil Johnson | Associate Phil recently joined Alberta Counsel having previously served as Chief of Staff to the Minster of Indigenous Relations and Ministerial Assistant to the Minister of Energy in Alberta from 2015 – 2019. Leo Piquette | Senior Advisor Former NDP MLA from Athabasca.

Guy Boutilier | Senior Advisor Former mayor of Fort McMurray and MLA for 15 years, including cabinet minister in various portfolios.

Our Office

Our Office is in the Ledgeview Building, directly across the street from the Legislature. With its convenient location and breathtaking view, our main boardroom is regularly used to host VIPs on behalf of clients, in both formal and informal settings.

We also regularly help clients connect with political decision makers in many other ways: • Facilitating community events • Inviting dignitaries to client events such as AGMs • Hosting hospitality suites at key stakeholder events, such as AUMA and RMA conventions as well AGMs for the main political parties • Attending political fundraisers and outreach events with clients to facilitate introductions

Our Clients

We serve a diverse array of clients including municipalities, associations, foundations, not-for-profits, unions, as well as both large and small businesses. Our clients include:

Alberta Urban Municipalities Assoc. (AUMA) Bigstone Cree First Nation Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Metis Settlements General Council Alberta Irrigation Districts Association (AIDA) Association of Alberta Registry Agents (AARA) Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta (IBAA) Cashco Financial Alberta Environmental Rubber Products Council of Alberta University Students Alberta Bottle Depot Association Lac La Biche County Town of Town of City of Brooks ALIGN Association of Community Services Alberta Teachers Association (ATA) Northern Alberta Elected Leaders County of Grande Prairie Northern Data Metis Local 1935 Respiratory Homecare Association of Alberta Alberta Beef Producers City of Wetaskiwin Metis Nation Region 6 Nurse Practitioners Association of Alberta

We look forward to discussing how we can best support your organization. To request a customized proposal based on your specific requirements, please contact:

Pascal Ryffel Director of Government Relations [email protected] 780-652-2341