Legislative Liaison

Legislative Liaison, Policy and Legislative Affairs

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission (Commission), a joint Canada–United States agency established under the 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries, seeks a Legislative Liaison to support its policy, government relations, communications, and stakeholder engagement activities. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, the incumbent will support the Director and Manager of Policy and Legislative Affairs in advancing Commission priorities throughout Canada and the United States.

The position combines government relations, political communications, social media, event planning, stakeholder engagement, and administrative coordination responsibilities. The incumbent will work remotely from a home office when not travelling or attending meetings.

Major Duties

• Support government relations and legislative affairs activities with federal, provincial, state, municipal, and Indigenous governments.

• Maintain productive relationships with elected officials, political staff, public servants, agencies, and stakeholders.

• Monitor legislation, regulations, committee proceedings, public policy developments, and budget processes relevant to Commission interests.

• Prepare briefing notes, issue papers, stakeholder analyses, correspondence, presentations, and meeting materials.

• Assist with the development and execution of government relations and stakeholder engagement strategies.

• Draft speeches, talking points, newsletters, media materials, social media content, and outreach communications.

• Coordinate and support the Commission’s social media presence and political communications initiatives.

• Plan and coordinate receptions, conferences, stakeholder meetings, parliamentary events, site visits, and roundtables.

• Provide logistical and administrative support to the Manager and Director, including scheduling, travel coordination, meeting arrangements, and follow-up activities.

• Represent the Commission at meetings, conferences, and stakeholder events as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

• Extensive knowledge of the Parliament of Canada, provincial governments, legislative processes, and public policy development.

• Understanding of government relations, political communications, stakeholder engagement, and event planning.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong organizational, project-management, and relationship-building abilities.

• Political awareness, sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism.

• Knowledge of Great Lakes, fisheries, environmental, or natural-resource issues is considered an asset.

• The ability to take initiative, use discretion and good judgement, and to work both independently and as a member of a team as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Communications, Public Policy, Journalism, Environmental Studies, or a related field.

• At least five years of relevant experience in government relations, legislative affairs, political communications, public affairs, stakeholder relations, or a related field.

• Experience with social media management and digital communications preferred.

• Experience planning political, governmental, or stakeholder events preferred.

• English-language proficiency required; bilingualism in English and French strongly preferred.

Travel and Work Requirements

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s licence and clean driver’s abstract.

• Must possess and maintain a valid passport and the ability to travel internationally.

• Must be legally admissible to Canada and the United States and able to cross the international border.

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% of working time.

• Must be available for overnight travel and work outside regular business hours.

• Must maintain a professional home office and be able to work remotely when not travelling.

Reporting Relationship

• The Legislative Liaison reports directly to the Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs and works under the overall direction of the Director and Manager of Policy and Legislative Affairs.

For information or to apply, please contact:

Greg McClinchey

Director, Policy and Legislative Affairs

[email protected]