The Public Affairs Association of Canada (PAAC) is a national, not-for-profit organization founded in 1984. Our principal objective is to help public affairs professionals succeed in their work by providing them with forums for professional development, the exchange of new ideas and networking.
PAAC’s growing membership represents a cross-section of the many disciplines involved in public affairs including policy development, government relations, lobbying, communications, opinion research and public relations. Our members come from both the private and public sectors, in areas such as industrial and financial companies, crown corporations, consulting firms, small business, ministries and municipalities, PR organizations, trade associations, educational institutions, law and accounting firms.
The events we offer range from full professional development conferences to tools and techniques sessions and high-profile speakers. We also publish a comprehensive newsletter featuring the latest PAAC and industry news, as well as online job postings from across the country.To suggest future events or learn more about the chapter, please email PAAC-BC@publicaffairs.ca.
PAAC BC Chapter Executive
Kim Haakstad – PAAC BC Chapter President
Vice President Government Relations & General Manager. Global Public Affairs
Jeff Ferrier – Vice President
National Public Relations
Bill Tieleman – Treasurer/Secretary
President, West Star Communications
Mike Cunningham – Membership Chair
Graphite Public Affairs
Alycia Coulter – Events Chair
Senior Consultant, Government & Community Relations, Fraser Health
Jack Middleton – Advisor, BC Citizen Engagement & Outreach
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)
Karen McDonald, MBA – Communications Chair
Director, Government Relations, Central One Credit Union
Tamara Little - Past President
Owner, Coast Communications
Members at Large
Derek Badger
Manager, Government Affairs (BC), Janssen Inc
Michael Gardiner
Gastown Strategy Group
Mike LoVecchio
Director – Government Affairs at Canadian Pacific
Alicia Peters
First West Credit Union
Steve Vander Wal
Vice-President Public Affairs, Hill+Knowlton Strategies