The interns had the pleasure of meeting with our esteemed partner, the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA), and gaining insight into the organization’s important work across Ontario’s postsecondary sector.  OCUFA is the voice of more than 18,000 faculty members and academic librarians across the province. The organization works to promote high-quality postsecondary education while advocating for the rights and interests of academic staff.    Over

The interns enjoyed the pleasure of meeting with our esteemed partner, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA), and gaining insights into the organization’s cross-regional work. Over the course of our meeting with Carolyn Miller, Mark Tagliaferri, and Filomena Ferraro, we had the opportunity to discuss the operational core of the association, as well as its far-reaching impact across Ontario. OECTA plays an important role in supporting teachers across the p

The OLIP interns were delighted to meet with Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC) and learn more about this new partner of the programme. We had the opportunity to speak with Jacqueline Dobson, Director of Government Affairs; Agata Stankiewicz, Senior Director of Government Relations; and Alex Wellstead, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations at Novartis, a member company of IMC.  Over the course of our conversation, we discussed the role of industry within Canada’s

Navigating the snowcapped streets of Toronto, the interns were delighted to visit the headquarters of our esteemed Partner, the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS), and share a fruitful conversation over lunch with OLIP Alumni, Chris Morley, Vice President of Government Relations, and Ann DeRabbie, Vice President of Corporate Communications.   Established in 1962, OMERS is one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pensions plans, providing secure, lifetime ret

The interns were grateful for the opportunity to meet with Benjamin Murray of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA), an esteemed Partner of OLIP. As an umbrella organization representing commercial fruit and vegetable growers across Ontario, OFVGA advocates on behalf of a wide range of commodity groups, including apple and grape growers, on key policy issues affecting the sector.  During the meeting, we learned about OFVGA’s government relations work, w

The interns were deeply appreciative of the opportunity to meet with our Partner, the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC), and discuss the development and implementation of Ontario-produced isotopes across the country.   For over fifty years, Canada has been a world leader in the realm of radiopharmaceuticals. Our conversation with CNIC allowed us to trace the organization’s foundation in 2018, as well as explore its mandate to further Canada’s system of medical isotope p

The OLIP interns greatly enjoyed the pleasure of meeting with our Partner, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), and speaking with Isaac Werner, Senior Advisor of Government Relations.    Over the course of our conversation, we discussed the foundations of NWMO, a non-profit organization that originated in 2002 under the mandate of managing Canada’s intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste in a sustainable manner. For over 20 years, NWMO has worked to create

Last Friday, the OLIP interns had the opportunity to meet with Anne Lavoie, Directrice générale et secrétaire-trésorière, and Emile Maheu, cadre – relations gouvernementales et communautaires, from our Partner, the Association des enseignantes et des enseignants franco-ontariens (AEFO).     Over the course of our discussion, we discussed the association’s origins in 1939, where it established itself as a union that brought together various professions in French-speaking Ontar

This past week, the interns were delighted to meet with Gordon Cameron, Executive Director of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA), an esteemed Partner of OLIP.   Founded in 1950 and based in Toronto, the OCNA operates as a non-profit establishment with over 200 members located across the province. Over the course of our conversation, Gordon led us through an industry profile of community newspapers, including circulation systems, market sizes and distribution p

The interns were deeply appreciative for the opportunity to meet with our esteemed partner, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA). We had the privilege of learning from the insights of Vice President of Policy, Sarah Hobbs; Director of Policy, Stephanie Wong; Senior Policy Analyst, Andrea Mayer; and Assistant‑Vice President, Risk and OLIP alumna, Beth Elder.   The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is a not‑for‑profit, membership‑based organiz

The OLIP interns greatly enjoyed meeting with Howard Brown, President of Brown & Cohen Communications and Public Affairs, and Kayla Mouzos, Account Manager. We deeply appreciated the opportunity to host a session with a long-standing partner of our programme and to learn more about the esteemed organization, Brown & Cohen Communications & Public Affairs Inc.   Brown & Cohen is a Toronto-based full-service public relations and government relations firm that supports organizati

The OLIP interns had the wonderful opportunity to meet with Kristen Neagle, Director of Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Achēv. Achēv is a leading not-for-profit organization that delivers employment, newcomer settlement, language, youth, and women’s programs across Ontario. Through its wide range of services, Achēv supports individuals in achieving their career and integration goals while helping employers build strong, inclusive workforces.  During our mee

The OLIP interns had the privilege of meeting with John Parker and Tom Robertson of the Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy. The Churchill Society is a non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and strengthening Canada’s parliamentary democracy through education, dialogue, and public engagement. Drawing inspiration from the legacy of Sir Winston Churchill, the Society works to foster a deeper understanding of responsible govern

Last Friday, the OLIP interns were grateful to tour the Bruce Power nuclear site on the shores of Lake Huron in Tiverton, Ontario. We gained an insightful perspective into its operations, with the focus on safety, innovation, and community impressed upon us from the moment we arrived. Bruce Power generates 30% of Ontario’s electricity, providing one in three homes, hospitals, and businesses with clean, reliable power. Formed in 2001, it is 100% Canadian owned and employs over

The interns were honoured to spend an afternoon at the Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario (AMAPCEO)’s downtown Toronto office, where we were warmly received by President David Bulmer, Vice-President Cynthia Watt, Strategic Advisor Grant Burns, and District Director Jennifer Harewood. Over a delicious lunch, we had the chance to learn about their respective careers with the Ontario Public Service and dive into meaningful conve

In September, the OLIP interns had the opportunity to meet with our Partner, the Canada Nickel Company (CNC), for an insightful presentation on their vision, operations, and the role they are playing in Ontario’s mineral industry. We had a thoughtful conversation about the future of nickel mining, the significance of sustainable practices, and how Ontario is shaping itself within intergovernmental mineral trade agreements.   The CNC team, encompassing of Mark Selby, CEO and D

In September, the OLIP interns had the pleasure of meeting with our Partner, the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), and two incredible OLIP alumni who now work at OREA: Jason Lagerquist, Head of Government Relations, and Dia Mukherjee, Government Relations and Communications Specialist.    OREA is the professional body representing nearly 100,000 Realtors and 23 real estate boards across Ontario. Its mission encompasses “helping people find a great place to call home, wo