Engaging with Alberta Counsel: How we can help you - ALIGN ...

Engaging with Alberta 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 Wildrose Party.
Both Jon and Shayne have played crucial roles in the development of the UCP. Shayne had met with
Jason Kenney in Ottawa with his wife MP Shannon Stubbs along with other Alberta MPs at the time to
discuss a potential federal Conservative Party of Canada 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 Sarah Hoffman. Alberta Counsel Associate
Phil Johnson has almost ten years of experience working for the NDP caucus under former premier
Rachel Notley, 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 Alberta Legislature 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 Edmonton 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 Bonnyville                                    Town of Vegreville
 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
pr@albertacounsel.com
780-652-2341