Alberta’s UCP government contracted a third-party US firm to lobby the US government and media on “issues of importance” to the province, paying out $3,195 per day for their services over two years..The Western Standard obtained the contract between the Government of Alberta and JDA Frontline Partners LLC, a public affairs and strategic communications firm in Washington, D.C..In addition to strategic communications planning, crisis communication, media training and creative consulting, JDA Frontline Inc. also offers lobbying services..The province will spend $3,195 per day — $2 million over the two-year contract — for services including, “Strategic communications counsel, planning, and coordination; opinion research and message testing; advertising and content creation and placement; and media and support within the United States with respect to issues of importance to the Province of Alberta,” according to details included in the contract..The contract — signed and dated on March 11 by Tristan Sanregret, executive director, international relations and trade for Alberta’s Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation — is effective until March 31, 2024, unless terminated, with an option for the province to extend for an additional 12 months..The Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to JDA Frontline Partners on Dec. 22, 2021. As background, the RFP states the US is Alberta’s largest trading partner and highlighted the province exported nearly $77.5 billion worth of goods to the US in 2020..Alberta has maintained an office in Washington, D.C., since 2005 and, according to the RFP, Alberta’s senior representative to the US is in place in Washington to actively develop “relationships with decision-makers and influences to ensure its interests are considered in the development of US policy at the federal and state level.”.The contract indicates JDA Frontline will assist Alberta’s Senior Representative to the US, James Rajotte, in arranging briefings with US journalists, engaging editorial boards, drafting op-eds for leading newspapers and other media outlets and booking provincial officials on US national television and radio outlets, among other responsibilities..The Western Standard contacted Rajotte to inquire if there are additional lobby groups being sought and paid by the provincial government and what the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Innovation is hoping to see out of the contract..A ministry spokesperson said there are currently two contracts awarded through the Alberta Washington Office. The most recent with JDA Frontline Partners for public relations and another one referenced as “Crestview” — an additional $1 million government relations contract over the same two-year period..“The United States is by far Alberta’s largest trading partner and we are investing in and strengthening that relationship,” said the spokesperson..“These contracts are some of the many ways we are protecting Alberta’s interests and promoting our province to the US.”.The spokesperson said the Alberta Washington Office “requires substantial resources to effectively advance needed dialogues, engagements, and activities to advocate for Alberta’s interests,” and “requires stronger engagement with US legislators, decision-makers and policy influencers.”.“We are employing these services to ensure that Alberta’s interests are brought to the attention of US decision-makers,” said the spokesperson..“With its current resources, the Alberta Washington office alone cannot sustain the needed dialogues, engagements and activities needed to be heard,” said the spokesperson highlighting that Quebec and Ontario have several US offices, nine for Quebec and five for Ontario..Melanie Risdon is a reporter with the Western Standard.,.mrisdon@westernstandardonline.com
