WPC is one of Canada’s longest operating public policy, government relations and management consulting firms assisting organizations across Canada and internationally. Over the years, we have built an enviable reputation for achieving successful, lasting results for our clients.
Our success is distinguished in the competitive marketplace by three key strengths—the strength of our team and senior calibre of our partners and associates, our ability to serve clients throughout Canada, and the depth of our experience in the high technology, transportation, natural resources, Asia-Pacific business and government sectors.
Since 1986, the partners of WPC have been working successfully with the most senior levels of government and private sector stakeholders, effectively advancing the interests and proposals of our clients.
WPC consultants have held high-ranking positions in the corporate and public sectors and brings to the company specialized and interrelated expertise in government relations, public relations, management consulting, corporate communications and issues management.
The company has a team of partners and associates based in Vancouver and Victoria.
WPC works hard to strengthen the relationship and image of our clients with key government and private sector audiences by effectively identifying and communicating the right message to the right people at the right time.
We understand from personal experience how the private and public sectors work, and our experience often saves our clients time and money.
Our Values and Vision
At WPC, we understand that resources committed to our consulting practice represent an investment in the future of your organization. We are dedicated to maximizing the return on your investment. Our success is directly related to the fact that WPC consultants know that each project we take on is best advanced through a transparent, ‘no-surprises’ approach—no surprises for our clients and no surprises for government and/or all relevant stakeholders.
Over our many years in business, we have developed expertise in how to apply available government relations resources in the most efficient and effective means possible. We bring that expertise to strengthen the impact of our client’s government relations efforts.
Lasting results for our clients
From the outset, WPC envisions its practice as one that is squarely focused on achieving results for our clients. Experience tells us that successful government relations outcomes are best advanced through a ‘no-surprises’ approach – no surprises for our clients and no surprises for government. This is accomplished through targeted, informed and effective two-way communication.
The WPC approach is rooted in thoughtful strategic government relations planning designed to:
Comprehend clients’ needs and objectives
Know the government agenda and environment
Identify all stakeholders – allies and foes alike
Plan comprehensive government relations action strategies
Align with government objectives
Communicate with key decision makers
Build lasting relationships
Our thorough approach to government relations planning enables us to deliver lasting, timely and cost-effective government relations solutions that achieve results for our clients.
How we work
WPC advises clients across Canada and internationally on a wide range of government and public relations as well as management consulting issues. We work closely with each client to develop political action strategies that are individually tailored to respond to the issues of each client and strategically allied to the government’s agenda.
At the very core of our successful track record is our ability to gain a rapid, in-depth understanding of our clients’ business challenges and objectives within the context of the current government relations environment.
We carefully analyze the political, parliamentary, legislative, bureaucratic and stakeholder environment to ensure we build a comprehensive plan that delivers customized solutions for our clients.
Meet the Team
We're an award-winning multidisciplinary team based in Vancouver with a passion for bringing our clients ideas to fruition using our expertise to guide them through the complexities of government.
Please click each name below for more information
Michael Bailey has had a prominent career as a senior executive in both, the public and private sectors.
In the private sector, Mr. Bailey was President of Lowen Management Corporation where he was responsible for the operations of Lowen Management and its subsidiaries in the merchant banking and jet charter business. Mr. Bailey also served as Vice President of the Thomas Group, responsible for managing five companies operating in merchant banking, automotive retailing, aircraft charter and entertainment management. Mr. Bailey served as Director of Marketing and Business Development for Belkin Inc. – at the time the largest manufacturer of recycled paperboard in Canada – where he focused on strategic planning, government relations, the resolution of environmental issues and major project development.
In the public sector, Mr. Bailey served for five years as Executive Director, Office of the Premier, under Premier Bill Bennett and was later selected by the Premier to serve as Director of the British Columbia Business Partners Program through Expo 86, where he was responsible for fostering international investment in the province and secured a number of high profile projects.
Mr. Bailey subsequently was a founding partner of Phillips, Bailey & Associates Inc., a government relations and international trade consulting firm which became the largest of its kind in Western Canada. Mr. Bailey served on the Advisory Board for the BC Division of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters for ten years.
Eric Denhoff a Senior Associate at WPC, has served as a long-time Deputy Minister in the Government of British Columbia, and the Government of Alberta. Most recently Eric served as the Deputy Minister for Alberta Climate Change and later Deputy Minister of Environment, Alberta.
Eric also served as a President of the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association.
He started his public service career in the BC Ministry of Health and served on a number of BC Hospital and health care boards, including the Greater Victoria Hospital Board.
Lorne Sivertson has broad national and international experience in the energy and mining sectors gained from his work in industry, banking, government service and consulting.
He established Columbia Power Corporation in 1994 and was its CEO until he retired from that position in 2006 to form his consulting firm. At Columbia Power Lorne Sivertson was responsible for the permitting, financing, development, power sales negotiations and operations of a combined total of 800 megawatts of run-of-river hydroelectric power projects. One of these projects won the International Hydropower Association’s Blue Planet Prize at the United Nations Conference of Parties on Climate Change in Montreal in 2005.
Mr. Sivertson is a member of and was formerly Vice Chair of the Canadian Hydropower Association.
As a consultant in British Columbia, Lorne Sivertson has negotiated long-term power sales agreements, helped firms find project financing, assisted on regulatory and policy matters, advised on project procurement arrangements and on public private partnerships (P3s). His clients include major engineering and construction firms, IPPs, a world class electromechanical equipment supplier, an industry association, a BC Crown Corporation and government agencies.
In 2010 Mr. Sivertson delivered papers on hydropower procurement issues at the HydroVision Conference in Charlotte, NC and the Renewable Energy World Asia 2010 Conference in Singapore.
Lorne Sivertson holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in economics.
Patrick Hrushowy is a senior and respected advisor, offering strategic advice to clients wishing to position themselves and their interests to their best possible advantage with the provincial and local governments. Mr. Hrushowy has worked extensively in the fields of energy, forest products, environmental services and land development.
Mr. Hrushowy has worked in both the public and private sectors in senior management positions and has devoted the majority of his career to offering services to interests facing particular challenges or objectives with governments. His experience allows him to work deep into the system, if that is required, to guide clients toward achievement of their objectives; whether that be the issuance of a permit or approvals, or the development of a policy framework that would support a client’s objectives.
Mr. Hrushowy worked to smooth the introduction of natural gas to consumers on Vancouver Island and worked extensively with private sector proponents during the privatizing of BC Hydro’s natural gas distribution assets. He also worked closely with companies that pioneered deeper extraction of petrochemical feedstock from the province’s natural gas production stream.
Prior to entering consulting service, Mr Hrushowy was Director of Public Affairs for the Council of Forest Industries where he played a major role in lobbying the provincial government and represented the industry during a period of rapid development of environmental regulations.
More recently Mr. Hrushowy worked closely with local governments around the province developing and implementing communications strategies in support of local government spending referenda and alternative spending approval processes.
This familiarity with local government has positioned Mr. Hrushowy well to provide clients leadership advice that lead to achieving approvals for major land development proposals for clients on Vancouver Island. Mr. Hrushowy’s involvement with political life in BC has seen him successfully manage a number of election campaigns in both local and provincial elections.
Helpful resources