Latest news with #UpstreamStrategyGroup
Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
After stepping down for Poilievre to run, MP Damien Kurek lands role at government relations, lobbying firm
Article content The Alberta MP who stepped down to allow Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in his riding has a new job with a government relations and lobbying firm. Article content Article content Article content We are excited to announce the newest member of our team, former Parliamentarian @dckurek! Damien's deep roots in Alberta politics paired with his legislative experience make him the perfect fit to deliver strategic value to our clients in Western Canada. — Upstream Strategy (@upstream_group) July 4, 2025 Article content 'There's no better time than the Calgary Stampede for me to join Upstream Strategy Group,' Kurek said in a Friday statement. Article content 'Just like the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth highlights our western heritage, I'm looking forward to helping organizations grow and succeed in Western Canada.' Article content Upstream said Kurek brings extensive experience to his new role, pointing to his time as the Conservative party's Canadian Heritage critic in the last Parliament, as well as his time as the Environment and Sustainable Development committee vice-chair. Before he was first elected to the House of Commons, Kurek worked under former Battle River-Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson and in the Saskatchewan legislature while Brad Wall was premier, Upstream also noted. Article content 'Raised and still actively involved on his family's multi-generational farm near Consort, Alberta, Kurek brings a unique perspective on the needs of rural communities and industries vital to the Prairies' economy,' said the company, which has offices in Toronto and Regina.
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
After stepping down for Poilievre to run, MP Damien Kurek lands role at government relations, lobbying firm
Article content The Alberta MP who stepped down to allow Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to run in his riding has a new job with a government relations and lobbying firm. Article content Damien Kurek, who had represented Battle River-Crowfoot since 2019, resigned in June after getting re-elected in April to allow Poilievre, who lost the Ottawa-area riding of Carleton to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy, to regain a House of Commons seat in what's regarded as a safe Conservative constituency. Article content Article content Article content On Friday, Upstream Strategy Group announced Kurek as its newest principal, calling the former MP a 'seasoned legislator' and a 'tireless advocate' for Alberta. Article content We are excited to announce the newest member of our team, former Parliamentarian @dckurek! Damien's deep roots in Alberta politics paired with his legislative experience make him the perfect fit to deliver strategic value to our clients in Western Canada. — Upstream Strategy (@upstream_group) July 4, 2025 Article content Article content 'There's no better time than the Calgary Stampede for me to join Upstream Strategy Group,' said Kurek in a Friday statement. Article content 'Just like the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth highlights our western heritage, I'm looking forward to helping organizations grow and succeed in Western Canada.' Article content Upstream said Kurek brings extensive experience to his new role, pointing to his time as the Conservative's Canadian Heritage critic in the last Parliament as well as his time as the Environment and Sustainable Development committee vice-chair. Before he was first elected to the House of Commons, Kurek worked under former Battle River-Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson and in the Saskatchewan legislature while Brad Wall was premier, Upstream also noted. Article content 'Raised and still actively involved on his family's multigenerational farm near Consort, Alberta, Kurek brings a unique perspective on the needs of rural communities and industries vital to the Prairies' economy,' said the company, which has offices in Toronto and Regina.
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Upstream Strategy Group Welcomes Damien Kurek as its Newest Principal, Kicking Off Calgary Stampede with Bold Alberta Expansion
CALGARY, AB, July 4, 2025 /CNW/ - Upstream Strategy Group is proud to announce Damien C. Kurek as its newest Principal. A seasoned legislator and proud Albertan, Kurek will strengthen Upstream's presence in Alberta and fuel the firm's continued growth across the Prairies. Kurek brings extensive experience from his tenure as the Member of Parliament for Battle River—Crowfoot (2019–2025), where he was a tireless advocate for Alberta. Most recently, he served as the Shadow Minister of Canadian Heritage for the Conservative Party of Canada, and the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, navigating complex policy landscapes in Ottawa. Last month, Kurek resigned his seat to allow Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to run in a by-election in his riding. "As the Calgary Stampede kicks off, we're beyond excited to announce Damien's new role with Upstream and our continued growth across the country," said Chris Chapin, Managing Principal of Upstream Strategy Group. "His deep roots in Alberta paired with his legislative expertise make him the perfect fit to deliver strategic value to our clients in Western Canada." Prior to federal elected office, Kurek worked under former MP and Minister Kevin Sorenson and in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly during Brad Wall's premiership. Raised and still actively involved on his family's multigenerational farm near Consort, Alberta, Kurek brings a unique perspective on the needs of rural communities and industries vital to the Prairies' economy. As a Principal, Kurek will provide tailored government relations, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement solutions for Upstream's clients in Alberta and beyond. His proven advocacy for energy, agribusiness, rural development, and good governance will enhance the firm's ability to serve clients in Western Canada's dynamic markets. "There's no better time than the Calgary Stampede for me to join Upstream Strategy Group," said Kurek. "From the farm to politics, I'm proud to bring my experience to the table. I'm looking forward to working alongside some of the best strategists in the business. Just like the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth highlights our western heritage, I'm looking forward to helping organizations grow and succeed in Western Canada." About Upstream Strategy Group Upstream Strategy Group is a full-service government relations, public relations, and strategic communications firm. Upstream provides a range of tailored services to a variety of corporate and public sector organizations from coast to coast. Upstream speaks the language of government at all levels, we always work to find solutions where everyone can win.
CBC
10-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Does Premier Scott Moe see your social media comments? A party insider gives her insights
When Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe congratulated Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on winning the most recent federal election, disgruntled comments over another Liberal win swiftly began rolling in on social media. "Time to separate." "Independence or 51st State is the only option left for us." "The anger in the west is real." Just how much attention are politicians paying to social media commentators and their viewpoints — and should that shape their policies? Moe's former chief-of-staff Shannon Andrews joined the latest episode of CBC's This Is Saskatchewan' s podcast to dig into that question and shed light on how politicians like Moe use social media as a tool themselves. The premier himself does have a small team managing his social media, according to Andrews, who now works with Upstream Strategy Group as a consultant. But she said Moe does have a lot of input over what's posted under his name. "He views all of his posts prior to them going out," she said, adding he's also attuned to great community stories and shouting out Saskatchewan successes. But if people are thinking that elected officials may see what they post in the comments section, she said they shouldn't hold their breath. "He's also very busy, as most elected folks are. They don't have time to be sitting around on any of the platforms combing through all the comments." There's also a need to take these online comments with a grain of salt, she said, noting social media is "loud," compared to conversations in the constituency office or on coffee row. "You can't always verify who the source is, who it is that is making the post. And so in that respect, you have to kind of balance it off.… Sometimes you don't even know if they're coming from a person who lives in the province." Some people, including the Official Opposition, have said the premier should speak out loudly against western separatist sentiments. Regina Leader-Post political columnist Murray Mandryk said on This is Saskatchewan's Political Panel that entertaining this kind of sentiment does nothing to grow Moe's voter base. "He needs to build support in that middle area, urban Saskatchewan," Mandryk said, adding that he feels Moe has been too cagey in scrums when asked about separatist fervour. "His inability just to simply say, 'Yeah, I condemn those trying to break up my country,' that's an easy thing for a premier to say. He wouldn't say it." So why isn't Moe more forceful in his comments? For Andrews, it's a matter of recognizing the level of anger there is in Western Canada over the federal government's handling of provincial jurisdiction and resource-driven economies. "I think that sometimes the word separation gets chucked into this discussion and I don't want to see it downplay the real concerns and frustration that Western Canadians have," she said. "They want to be a part of Canada, but they need to feel valued to feel that they're a part of Canada." Andrews said she believes Moe's measured tone over the election of Prime Minister Mark Carney is genuine. "As much as this might be hard to believe after this past decade — and to be sure, there were many, many difficult moments with the Liberal government and with former prime minister [Justin] Trudeau — I think he's sincere in this effort," she said. At the same time, Andrews said people can expect Moe to continue his pattern of speaking out against federal government actions that hurt Saskatchewan interests. Social media might be an easy way for voters to express their anger or kudos for politicians, but Andrews said that at the end of the day, a good old-fashioned phone call, email or visit to an MLA's office is the best way to connect with them.
