BC Budget 2026: A Stabilization Plan Built on Assumptions
Like all her colleagues across Canada, BC Finance Minister Brenda Bailey faced economic turmoil driven by Donald Trump and increased fiscal pressure as she prepared the provincial budget for 2026-27. For weeks, Bailey and Premier David Eby signaled that this would be a bad news budget as the government deals with a long-term fiscal path […]
Megan Grenville Promoted to Consultant, Marketing & Promotions
Megan Grenville is a Marketing & Promotions Consultant at Counsel Public Affairs, based in Toronto. Megan Grenville is a marketing and communications professional specializing in brand strategy, digital content development, event marketing, and analytics. She supports the development and execution of marketing initiatives across the firm, including website and social media content, brand asset management, […]
Get Ready to Party: Why attending party conventions matter
Political party conventions are a not-to-miss event in the calendar. They are an opportunity for party-faithful to come together to either celebrate their success or commiserate with each other and make sure the senior leadership of their party hear their frustrations and commits to doing things differently. Long gone are the days of delegated leadership […]
Merriah Michel Promoted and Stephanie Coulter Joins
Counsel Grows Opinion Research Team Counsel continues to strengthen its Opinion Research practice with senior leadership growth and new strategic capacity — strengthening our position as a premier, full-service opinion research and insights partner for clients across sectors. With the promotion of Merriah Michel to Vice President and the addition of Stephanie Coulter as Senior […]
Natalie Dewan and Emily Binkley Promoted
Counsel Promotes Communications & Campaigns Team Members Counsel is proud to announce two well-earned promotions within Counsel’s Communications & Campaigns practice – Natalie Dewan to Senior Account Director and Emily Binkley to Senior Consultant. Natalie Dewan — promoted to Senior Account Director Since 2022, Natalie has supported Counsel’s clients with a wide array of communications […]
Venezuela, U.S. Policy, and the Risk Now Facing Canada’s Oil Sands
Recent U.S. actions affecting Venezuela’s oil sector have reintroduced a risk to Alberta’s oil sector that had largely faded from view. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, and most of that oil is heavy crude. That matters because it competes directly with the kind of oil produced from Alberta’s oil sands once it […]
Lecce’s Energy Plan is not only Protecting Ontario, It’s Leading the Continent to Clean, Reliable Power
For those who’ve watched Ontario’s energy file evolve over the last 15 years, this week’s Ontario-New York nuclear MOU isn’t a surprise. It’s the natural outcome of a long policy arc that has matured into a confident, outward-looking clean energy strategy. For decades, nuclear was Ontario’s quiet workhorse, dependable, low-carbon, and central to the grid, […]
Inside Alberta’s Fall Sitting: Metrics that Mattered
The Alberta Legislature wrapped its fall sitting this week, concluding a session defined by significant policy moves, heightened political tension, and the continued rollout of Premier Danielle Smith’s agenda. Energy policy, affordability, healthcare restructuring, and jurisdictional autonomy dominated the floor, while the Opposition pressed the government on cost-of-living pressures, classroom capacity, and Alberta’s relationship with […]
Ford Firmly at the Wheel
How the Ontario Government Used the Fall Session to Drive Ontario-First Economic Security The Fall Session of the Ford Government’s rare 3rd majority mandate closed with the same defining theme that powered the February election, Premier Ford positioning himself as Ontario’s protector, fully in command of the province’s direction. Whether on economic security, resource development, […]
Affordability & Public Safety Dominate Manitoba’s Fall Legislative Session
As the Manitoba Legislature adjourned yesterday, Manitobans were left trying to figure out everything that happened this session. Tensions ran high between the Opposition and the Government, particularly over issues of crime and public safety, with bail reform becoming a focal point. During the session, the government implemented bold and controversial policy changes, issued historic […]