CG&A COMM 2009-2013

CG&A Communications celebrates 30 years. To commemorate the occasion Chris George reflects on the company’s development. This is part four of a six-part series, 10 selected highlights from the years 2009 – 2013 when the firm operated from its main office in St. Catharines / Niagara Ontario.  

1. A Key Career Success for Chris George — In June 2012, there was a great celebration as long-time client the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC) saw a successful conclusion to more than a decade of government affairs activity in the federal copyright reform process. Parliament passed amendments to the federal Copyright Act that included the educational use of the Internet.
2. CG&A Communications became the communications and government affairs company of record for Grimsby’s West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH) to support its efforts in replacing its aging building with a new hospital facility. In advancing this hospital’s case, we also undertook communications initiatives for WLMH’s affiliated hospital in Hagersville – the West Haldimand General Hospital.
3. With the two hospital contracts, good friend Sue MacGregor assisted with the government affairs and stakeholder relations. At both hospitals we were advancing arguments with the provincial government to maintain services and keep the facilities. We also assisted the WLMH Foundation and its fundraising efforts.
4. In 2009, Chris George became a founding partner of the Canadian Anaphylaxis Initiative (CAI), a volunteer network of families and allergy advocates from across the country. The CAI’s goal was to raise greater awareness in Ottawa of anaphylaxis – severe life-threatening allergies. The group worked with MPs to present a motion in Parliament, which was voted on and unanimously passed May 2013 in the House of Commons.
5. Chris George volunteered on the Board of the Child Advocacy Centre Niagara, an organization that advocates for children and youth who have been physically abused, sexually abused, became targets of internet luring, or were unwilling witnesses of violence. He served for a short time as the Centre’s Chairman of the Board. For Chris’s efforts with the Centre and with the CAI, he was recognized by the City of St. Catharines with a community volunteer award.
6. In November 2008, CG&A COMMUNICATIONS established an on-line By George Journal, an opus with a mission to share ideas on PR and GR tactics and to provide bons mots and humourous pieces for use in the workplace and social settings. Chris George serves as the editor (now in its 11^th year).
7. The company was hired by Celebration Casinos to provide writing services in preparing bidding documents for an Ontario Government procurement process for establishing and managing new casinos through the province.
8. Other contracts secured in this time frame include writing services for the Niagara Parks Commission, as well as writing assignments for the New Exporters to Border States (Ontario), run out of the Canadian Consulate office in Buffalo, NY.
9. During this time period, after 14 years of service, we saw the amiable parting of ways with our client MADD Canada. CG&A COMMUNICATIONS provided MADD’s public relations and government affairs and helped raise the organization to being the preeminent voice on impaired driving issues in Canada. Without question, supporting the families of victims of impaired driving was the most rewarding work in the history of the firm.
10. After more than 10 years in St Catharines, Chris and Lisa George made the decision to move back to eastern Ontario. There are many fond memories of the years in Niagara. In March 2013, the Georges and CG&A COMMUNICATIONS relocated to Almonte, Ontario – a 45-minute drive to Parliament Hill.

To read more about the history of the company, click: On passing the 30 year milestone.

Chris George provides reliable PR & GR counsel and effective advocacy. Need a go-to writer and experienced communicator? Call 613-983-0801 @ CG&A COMMUNICATIONS. Contact: ChrisG.George@gmail.com