Canada-United States (U.S.) Relations and Engagement Strategy

DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: 

Canada-United States (U.S.) Relations and Engagement Strategy

BACKGROUND

Canada and the United States enjoy a unique bilateral relationship based on highly integrated economies. The partnership is forged by shared geography, similar values, common interests, deep connections and powerful, multi-layered economic ties. Canada has no closer trading partner than the U.S. – it is the top export destination for 35 states. No other country buys more goods made in the U.S. than Canada; nearly 9 million U.S. jobs depend on trade and investment from Canada.

In an effort to strengthen economic cooperation and reinforce Canada – U.S. relations, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), Minister of Small Business and Tourism, Minister of Science, and senior ISED officials will wish to have current intelligence on American trade policy dynamics, and also may wish to engage with a number of U.S. public officials, as well as key contacts from U.S. industry sector national associations and companies to highlight the integrated nature and the importance of North American supply chains.

REQUIREMENTS/RESULTS:

The objective is to inform Canada-U.S. relations policy work at ISED and also to develop the strategy for potential Ministerial and senior management engagement with U.S. representatives. The Contractor will provide analysis to senior management in the form of briefings of current U.S. trade policy actions, as well as provide input on possible meetings to schedule, identify key events/opportunities, and advise ISED on how to position the importance of the integrated North American supply chains.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor will deliver advice and support to ISED senior management which will cover the following:

• Regular presentations to senior management reviewing current U.S. trade policy actions.
• On an as needed basis, analysis and considerations to inform engagement strategy and meetings.
• Assistance in identifying and organizing potential Ministerial or senior management meetings in the U.S. at key events, including identification of priorities for such meetings. Development of the messaging and strategy for the meetings, including how to position arguments of importance for Canada (for example, the importance of integrated North American supply chains).

TASKS

The Contractor will be required to conduct the following tasks:

• Participate in a pre-meeting with ISED officials to discuss the project scope and proposed approach (teleconference).
• Prepare materials and advice and attend at least two meetings of the ISED senior management Departmental Management Committee (DMC), and also at other priority Departmental meetings as agreed with the Department. Meeting dates are to be confirmed.
• Be available for ad-hoc consultation on current dynamics in Canada-US trade relations.
• Plan detailed itinerary and attend Ministerial meetings.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES

The Contractor must provide the following deliverables:

• At least two presentations to ISED senior management.
• Participate in and make presentations at other priority ISED meetings and events as agreed with the department.
• Engage regularly with ISED senior management on key trade issues.
• Collect and share information on key files on an ongoing basis.
• Develop detailed Ministerial engagement itinerary, including possible support to initiate contact and coordinate meetings (includes contact names, titles, meeting locations, etc.).
• Attend and support the Senior Management and Ministerial meetings, providing necessary reports, presentation materials, key messages and analysis to support the engagement, as needed.
• Associated materials to be submitted in electronic format (i.e. MS Word 2010, PowerPoint, etc.) to the Project Authority.

The above deliverables must be completed on or before January 31, 2020.

SCHEDULE OF MILESTONES

The schedule of milestones is as follows:

Milestone 1: This will follow the first presentation (completed latest by May 15, 2019) and regular on-going consultations.

Milestone 2: This will follow the second presentations (completed latest by November 15, 2019) and regular on-going consultations.

SECURITY

The security requirement applied for this contract is “Secret”.