March 24, 2025
How the US Tariffs will impact Southwestern Ontario?
President Trump made good on his threats to impose a 25% tariff on goods coming from Canada into the US on March 4, 2025. In defense, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instituted counter-tariffs on US goods coming into Canada later that day to the amount of $20.7 billion of US imports.
No one wins in this battle between two […]
February 19, 2025
If There Were an Election Today, Who Would Win?
Note: Data and projections in this article are as of February 10, 2025. In the fast-paced world of Canadian politics, public sentiment can shift almost as quickly as the headlines.
With the federal election looming, it’s worth asking: if an election were held today, who would come out on top? Drawing insights from the latest […]
February 7, 2025
Are we our own worst enemy? What impact inter-provincial trade barriers have on Canada’s economy.
Unbeknownst to the majority of the population, between provinces there are a significant number of trade barriers to doing business.
An interprovincial trade barrier refers to any government rule or regulations that limit, restrict or add costs to do business across provincial borders.
Technically, they aren’t tariffs, just regulatory hoops and competing standards that companies […]
January 29, 2025
We Value Your Feedback! Share Your Thoughts on London’s City Management
SWON Public Affairs – State of Address London Survey.
We want to hear your thoughts on the key priorities and challenges facing London. Share your perspective on the city’s progress, fiscal responsibility, and the Mayor’s vision for 2025.
Your input on issues like homelessness and affordability will help shape a better future for […]
January 24, 2025
Ontario Premier Doug Ford Set to Call Provincial Election on Wednesday
In breaking political news, it looks like Ontario Premier Doug Ford is planning to call a provincial election next Wednesday, January 29th, according to multiple sources.
This announcement sets the stage for what could be a pivotal moment for the province, especially with looming 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, which could come into […]
January 20, 2025
Tariff Threats from Trump – Now 47th President of United States and their Impact on Ontario
Today, January 20, 2025 marks the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States.
For the past two months, Trump has been threatening to impose a 25% tariff on products from Canada and Mexico on his first day in office in order to restrict the flow of firearms, drugs and migrants […]
January 17, 2025
Pierre Poilievre’s Pledge to Axe The Capital Gains Tax
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has announced a proposal to eliminate Canada’s capital gains tax, aiming to encourage investment, foster entrepreneurship, and simplify the tax system.
Capital gains tax is currently applied to profits from the sale of assets like stocks or property, with a portion of those profits added to taxable income. Supporters of […]
January 9, 2025
A Walk in the Snow – Trudeau’s past and present history
Forty-one years ago on February 28, 1984, Pierre Elliot Trudeau, father of current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, took his famous ‘walk in the snow’ in Ottawa and announced to the world that he was retiring from politics.
Pierre Trudeau became an instant domineering politician on the Canadian landscape during a crisis around national unity in […]
December 18, 2024
Tis The Season to Reflect
As we draw near the end of 2024 and winter starts to appear, it’s a great time to reflect upon what we have achieved over the past twelve months, what we started but didn’t finish and what we want to accomplish next year.
2024 has been a challenging year for many. High interest rates, skyrocketing […]
June 10, 2024
Premier Doug Ford Reshuffles Ontario Cabinet as Legislature Breaks for Summer
Premier Doug Ford has kicked off the summer season by shaking up his cabinet and extending the legislative break until after Labour Day.
The major cabinet shuffle reassigns key roles and portfolios as Ford resets priorities for the final two years of his second term as Premier. The June 5th cabinet restructuring ushers out some […]
May 7, 2024
A Guide to Robert’s Rules of Order
Robert’s Rules of Order is a comprehensive manual of parliamentary procedure designed to facilitate smooth and orderly conduct of meetings.
Originally published in 1876 by Henry Martyn Robert, a U.S. Army officer, these rules are meant to ensure that meetings are conducted fairly, democratically, and efficiently, respecting the rights of all members to participate in […]
March 11, 2024
Democracy and Public Affairs: Partners in Civic Engagement
In the realm of public affairs, democracy serves as the foundation for effective governance and civic participation. As a public affairs firm, comprehending the nuances of democratic principles is not just a professional requisite but a guiding philosophy.
This article explores the symbiotic relationship between public affairs and democracy, emphasizing the pivotal role that informed […]
February 1, 2024
February Newsletter
Understanding Lobbyist Registration under the Federal Lobbying Act Are you unsure whether you need to register as a lobbyist under the federal Lobbying Act?
Here are three key questions to help determine if registration is necessary: 1. Are you paid to lobby? Lobbyists must be compensated for communicating with the federal government. Volunteers and individuals […]
January 19, 2024
The Dire Need for Free HPV Vaccination in Ontario
The Canadian Cancer Society’s alarming data reveals that in 2023, around 1,550 Canadian women faced cervical cancer, with about 400 deaths.
This silent yet deadly disease, primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), can be largely prevented through vaccination. However, Ontario lags behind other provinces in providing accessible and affordable HPV vaccines. The “Make HPV […]
January 18, 2024
President Kirsten Krose Recognized by Canadian Small Business Magazine
SWON Public Affairs is proud to announce that our President and Founder, Kirsten Krose, received national recognition from the Canadian Small Business Magazine!
Kirsten stands out for her extensive experience in government relations and strategic communications. Under her leadership, SWON Public Affairs has accomplished impactful campaigns to bridge diverse sectors and influence public policy […]
January 3, 2024
January Newsletter
Lessons in Public Affairs: Public Participation Matters: Government budgets are more than financial plans; they are powerful tools that shape a nation’s course of development.
Public participation in this process is essential for transparency, accountability, and ensuring the representation of diverse citizen needs. Public involvement establishes transparency by allowing citizens to understand fund allocation. This […]