In addition to facing the local competition, the world of business must manage two increasingly complex challenges:

The mandate of McIlroy & McIlroy, Counsel on Public Policy (“M&M”) is to help leading Canadian and international organizations to achieve their government relations and global trade objectives, in Canada and abroad.

M&M's mandate goes beyond helping you to respond to governments and globalization today.

Our commitment to provide timely advice and effective advocacy can also help you to anticipate and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.

To ensure you are kept abreast of events and issues that may influence your business environment, we proactively gather information and data. Our sources range from unpublished statistical data to discreet discussions with key decision–makers.

By carefully tracking government and international trade policy developments, we give you an invaluable early warning system which enhances your competitive advantage.

Once we have gathered the relevant information, we analyze it and provide you with a concise summary.

Our analysis is tailored to your specific needs and objectives so that you can quickly grasp the significance of an issue to your bottom line.

In addition to knowing the formal rules and regulations, we understand the bureaucratic and political frameworks in which government policy evolves.

As a result, our strategic advice enables you to proactively seize opportunities and avoid the pitfalls of constantly changing government policies and international trade rules.

We believe that government relations is the art of skillfully blending corporate and public interests by persuading the authorities to share our clients' views and objectives.

To position your company's interests on the crowded public agenda, knowing whom you need to see is not good enough. To capture the attention of government, you also need an effective advocacy program.

Depending on the nature of the problem, the tactics can range from quiet consultations to the development and implementation of a comprehensive, targeted lobbying campaign.

M&M provides a full spectrum of advocacy services ranging from the preparation of focused contact programs, speeches, and written submissions, to the creation of national coalitions and the development of comprehensive government affairs/media relations programs.

Our leading edge advocacy skills can help you make sure that your message is heard loud and clear.

Given the ongoing importance of government and international trade issues, many companies and national associations engage us on a monthly retainer basis.

For our retainer clients, we provide regular advice and counsel which allow problems to be identified and managed, long before they become time–consuming and costly crises.

In addition to retainer relationships, we are often engaged on a project basis to handle specific problems and deal with urgent situations.

For example, Canadian and international corporations engage us to obtain specific relief from governments, or to appear on their behalf before government departments, agencies and tribunals, including the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.

If you have a government relations or international trade challenge, contact us.