What does the recent passage of Bill 254 mean for Public Affairs professionals and their organizations?
On Thursday, June 24th from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, join PAAC Ontario to hear a diverse panel dig deep into the Ontario Government’s Bill 254, Protecting Ontario’s Elections Act. What are the implications of Bill 254 for Public Affairs professionals and their organization’s activities with changes being made to pre-writ activities, including expanding the pre-election period from 6 to 12 months, doubling individual contribution limits, and increased fines? How will these changes impact activities like third-party political advertising?
Following the event, join your peers across the Public Affairs sector for an optional post-event networking session that will include Zoom Breakout Rooms!
Moderator:
Hershell Ezrin, Professor, Seneca Government Relations & Senior Fellow, Global Public Affairs
Hershell Ezrin OOnt: Senior Fellow, Global Public Affairs; Distinguished Fellow, Strategy, at TRSM, Ryerson; Professor, Government Relations, Seneca@York
Hershell Ezrin is Senior Fellow of Advocacy, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications at Global Public Affairs. He is a former senior public servant and political adviser for three levels of government and is a former CEO of two multinational companies. Hershell is also a former corporate director in energy, financial services and service sectors and a leader in health, arts and community affairs. He currently lectures in two post-graduate programs, is a Distinguished Fellow, Strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Professor of Government Relations, Seneca@York, and is an honorary lifetime governor of the Canadian Journalism Foundation.
Panelists:
Guy Giorno, Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Guy Giorno leads the firm’s Political Law practice. He advises clients on lobbyist registration, government accountability and ethics, public-sector conflict of interest and government procurement.
Former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Canada, Guy remains an active, influential force in shaping lobbyist registration laws in Canada. Widely recognized as Canada’s leading expert in lobbying law, Guy regularly represents corporate executives and lobbyists in enforcement proceedings, and guides companies and organizations to adopt strategies and policies to ensure political law compliance. He has testified on lobbying law and government ethics before parliamentary and legislative committees, has been consulted by several provinces on the design of their lobbyist registries, and previously served as Lobbyist Registrar for Brampton, Canada’s ninth largest city.
Though representing public-sector institutions (respondents) in freedom of information appeals throughout the 1990s, Guy now focuses on compliance and best practices. In addition, he also helps requesters to exercise their rights to obtain government records under freedom of information access to information legislation.
An active, non-partisan advocate for government transparency, lobbying ethics and electoral reform, Guy has been appointed as the integrity commissioner (responsible for administering government ethics rules) in the Ontario municipalities of Durham Region, Dufferin County, Renfrew County, Wellington County, Adjala-Tosorontio, Amaranth, Brock, Centre Wellington, Clarington, Deep River, Dryden, East Garafraxa, Grand Valley, Greater Madawaska, Guelph/Eramosa, Madawaska Valley, Mapleton, Melancthon, Minto, Mono, North Algona Wilberforce, North Bay, Orangeville, Oshawa, Peterborough, Pickering, Puslinch, Scugog, Shelburne, Uxbridge, Wellington North and Whitby.
Guy’s writing skills have been recognized in two separate Ovation Awards, conferred by the International Association of Business Communicators (Toronto). Frequently appearing in leading business media outlets, including CBC News, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star and The Hill Times, Guy is the co-author of the legal text Lobbying in Canada and Chair of the “Law of Lobbying and Ethics” committee of the Canadian Bar Association.
Dave Levac, Former Speaker of the Ontario Legislature
Dave Levac was born in and has lived in Brant all his life. He has worked tirelessly for Brant, Ontario and Canada. Dave began his working career as an elementary school teacher in 1977. During his career he introduced and implemented an award-winning conflict resolution program for his students and in 1989 Dave became a principal. He was named OECTA Distinguished Teacher in 1994
In 2003 Dave was appointed Chief Government Whip. He followed as Parliamentary Assistant for Community Safety & Correctional Services, PA for Energy, PA for Economic Development & Innovation and PA for Energy &Infrastructure. He was also Chairperson of the Education Cabinet Committee during this time.
After the 2011 election, Dave looked for new opportunities to serve by running for Speaker of the Legislature of Ontario. He was elected Speaker on the second ballet, a resounding vote of confidence from all sitting members. Dave served as Speaker from November 2011until 2018. He was heralded by most MPPs and political commentators as one of the most effective Speakers in recent history, presiding with dignity and integrity. He is now the longest serving Speaker in Ontario history.
After 45 years of public service between teaching and politics, Dave retired, choosing not to run in the 2018 provincial election. Not to fade away, Dave accepted a position of Distinguished Visiting Professor at McMaster University where he brought Experiential Learning to 4th year Political Science students on a two-year contract.
Kim Wright, Principal, Wright Strategies
Since 2005, Kim Wright has provided senior public affairs counsel to national and international clients across multiple industries. Kim has engaged in public affairs campaigns across Canada at all three orders of government. Leveraging her deep knowledge of politics and public affairs, she founded Wright Strategies in 2018.
Kim has built and executed successful public affairs engagements on a wide range of issues including infrastructure, transportation, budget/taxation, labour relations, public health, and licensing. She has successfully managed various aspects of development files, changes to municipal by-laws and policies, and has overseen procurement response programs.
Kim is best known as a municipal affairs expert; however, her expertise is not limited to one level of government. She has been involved in politics at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels since 1990.
Kim is a frequent media commentator on political issues. She regularly appears on CP24, CityTV, AM 640, Global News, Toronto Star, National Post Radio, Zoomer Radio, and the CBC.
Hande Bilhan, Principal and Co-Owner, Golfdale Consulting
Hande is an experienced consultant with two decades of success working on public policy,B2B and B2C challenges that impact businesses. She previously served on the executive team of one of Canada's largest financial services distribution firms, leading government, policy, industry and public affairs initiatives. She brought to that position nearly a decade of experience working in senior policy roles in government including for the Premier of Ontario. Hande has a solid track record in creating and executing research, insights and advocacy campaigns. She is an active member on committees and working groups of various industry associations including the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Bilkent University in Turkey and a Master's degree in Business Communications from the EU Business School.
Check out her company website www.golfdaleconsulting.com,connect on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/handebilhan/or say hi on Twitter @HandeInToronto.
Agenda:
10:00AM-10:45AM - Panel Discussion
10:45AM-11:00AM - Audience Q&A
11:00AM-11:30AM - Optional Networking Session
Tickets:
PAAC Members: Free
Non-Members: $20
THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT PARTNER:
SENECA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS (GRM)
Thank you to Seneca Government Relations for partnering with us on this event. Endorsed by the Public Affairs Association of Canada and the Government Relations Institute of Canada, the Seneca Government Relations eight-month graduate certificate program features specialized practical government relations training that will prepares students for careers in government relations.
