TORONTO – 1 February 2021 – Sussex Strategy Group, one of Canada’s premier advisory, government relations and strategic communications firms, is pleased to announce that David Donovan has joined the Energy and Environment Practice as Director. David will be based in the Toronto office.
David joins Sussex after considerable experience at Queen’s Park and in the energy sector. Most recently, David served as the Chief of Staff to Ontario’s Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction and prior to that, as Director of Policy to the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
While at Queen’s Park, David was primarily responsible for the government’s stakeholder consultation and development of the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan and initial implementation of its air, land and water, climate change, land conservation and organic and recyclable waste management actions. Accomplishments include the development of Ontario’s Emissions Performance Standards (EPS) and the province’s transition to full producer responsibility models in waste diversion. David has fostered strong relationships and coalitions among municipal, environmental, energy and government stakeholders.
Most recently, David was key to the province’s small business and government and regulatory modernization efforts prior to, but particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic; chiefly, the creation of policies, grant programs and other supports to assist small businesses and navigate pandemic restrictions. David also led development of the government’s bi-annual red tape reduction legislative and regulatory omnibus packages, which have become a hallmark of the Ford Government.
Prior to government, David led government relations files for a leading Canadian energy company. Here, David gained experience developing and executing government relations strategies for traditional large energy assets and emerging renewable technologies, including liquids pipelines, natural gas networks, electricity transmission, wind, solar, renewable natural gas, geothermal and hydrogen. David has a keen interest in business development, the energy transition and building stakeholder coalitions to support both.
“Sussex is excited at the depth of knowledge, experience and leadership David will bring to the firm and to our Energy and Environment Practice,” said Chris Benedetti, Principal. “David will join a team strong in insight expertise and experience across a wide range of energy and environmental matters. This will further complement our broader advisory service offering, well-known across Canada and beyond for our policy, regulation, political affairs, and depth of knowledge and understanding of important markets and matters for our clients. With strong capabilities and experience in policy, planning, and politics, we continue to build upon our more than 20 years of success in delivering results.”
Sussex Strategy Group is Canada’s premier advisory firm for businesses and organizations facing complex challenges involving government, the public, and regulated markets. Using skill, research, extensive trade and policy experience, as well as creativity and in-depth expertise, Sussex aims to enhance and protect its clients’ reputations, business success and interests.
For more information, please contact:
Chris Benedetti
Principal, Sussex Strategy Group
Head, Energy and Environment Practice
T: (416) 312-8749; cbenedetti@sussex-strategy.com
