JOB DESCRIPTION 

Government Relations & Communications Intern (Toronto)

 TERM:  Winter Internship: January 6, 2025 to April 30, 2025

Want to work on the biggest public policy changes facing Canada?  

Based in our Toronto office, Counsel’s new Government Relations & Communications Intern will be an important member of our growing team. 

This position is a fully paid internship offering in-office work experience.   

At Counsel, we offer each client a tailored approach to their unique government relations and communications needs. Our new Intern will have the opportunity to work closely with our teams across the country to help solve problems and deliver results for our clients at the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government. This internship position will also provide the candidate with the chance to assist the firm’s dynamic communications team, aiding with a wide range of public relations and communications services.  As a member of the Counsel team, your work will range from research and news monitoring to client engagement to strategic plan development.  

The successful applicant must have a demonstrated passion for public affairs and communications. Applicants may have experience in government relations, policy, strategic communications, and public relations, and we will consider lived experience in community organizing and other applicable experiences. Familiarity with current federal, provincial, and municipal issues in a wide range of policy areas is essential, and knowledge of the provincial legislative processes is an asset. 

Excellent communication skills are a must, and candidates must have a proven ability to work independently, work well within a team, report regularly, and meet key deliverables. 

Compensation will include a competitive internship wage, paid vacation, and other perks to ensure you have a rewarding internship experience.   

Bottom line…we’re looking for someone who is energetic, bright, and curious.     

Duties Include:  

• Assistance with the research, development, and execution of government relations strategies. 

• Monitoring the political and policy environment and reporting updates to clients and the leadership team on critical developments (e.g., government announcements, speeches, staff changes, budgets, cabinet shuffles, etc.). 

• Researching and preparing proposals, pitches, briefs, letters, and PowerPoint presentations for client files and business development. 

• Setting, preparing for, and attending client meetings/conference calls. 

• Project management with the ability to meet deadlines while juggling competing priorities. 

• Assistance with stakeholder outreach and management.  

• Maintaining political and issue intelligence through media monitoring. 

• Monitoring the progress of legislation and other key policy pieces within specific jurisdictions. 

• Assisting with social media campaign strategies and content. 

• Drafting blog posts and social media copy. 

• Scanning and tracking issues across multiple media platforms. 

• Helping to maintain and update various CRM and contact lists. 

• Event logistics support. 

• Assistance with updating brand assets. 

• Basic administrative tasks, including but not limited to, scheduling of meetings, minute taking, tracking of hours, and expenses. 

• On-time delivery of assignments and projects despite client delays, changes in direction, and revised budgets. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

 

Key Qualifications (must haves): 

• A final year student or recent graduate in a post-secondary institution 

• While there is a strong preference for the social sciences, we will consider applications from students in other disciplines  

• Proof of enrolment required  

• Strong writing and research skills  

• Writing sample required 

• Able to communicate well within a team and, when requested, with clients  

• Candidates can hold themselves to the highest of ethical standards when working within our team and in client-facing spaces  

• Able to multi-task and maintain progress on assignments 

• Available during regular working hours (total of 40 hours a week) 

• Ability to respectfully engage with a multi-partisan team 

 

Additional Qualifications (nice to haves): 

• Familiarity with municipal, provincial, or federal legislative processes 

• Experience in advocacy or political activism  

• Experience working or volunteering on political campaigns 

• Graphic/digital design 

• Grassroots organizing  

• Statistical analysis 

• Ability to speak and write in a language other than English 

 

How to Apply: 

Please send a resume, cover letter and one-minute video introduction to careers@counselpa.com by Friday, November 29, 2024.

 

About Counsel Public Affairs 

Counsel is Canada’s fastest-growing, fully integrated public affairs firm, specializing in government relations, strategic communications, and integrated campaigns. Established in 2004 and now in our 20th year, Counsel has grown into a national firm with over 40+ consultants delivering results for clients in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Ottawa.       

Counsel’s team is comprised of multipartisan senior advisors with decades of experience. These include senior individuals who have quarterbacked national political campaigns, run provincial war rooms, written winning platforms, served as Cabinet Ministers, led First Nations, held executive roles in major corporations, and, most importantly, helped hundreds of clients succeed.  

Our government relations and strategic communication experience is broad, providing us with expertise across a wide range of sectors, including health care, agriculture, construction and development, energy, financial services, Indigenous affairs, legal, pharmaceuticals, post-secondary and research institutions, not-for-profits, regulated professions, the sharing economy, and much more. 

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion  

As one of Canada’s leading public affairs agencies, we know that government and public relations is a field that often lacks diverse voices, and we are committed to changing that through internal education and changing our practices. We strongly encourage applications from historically, persistently, and/or systematically marginalized groups.