Compass Rose

#SPOTTED: The Compass Rose team is on the ground at #CSFN26. Stop by our booth, pick up some swag, and say hello! We’d love to connect and chat.

The NACO 2026 Summit is officially underway! Compass Rose was proud to sponsor last evening’s kick-off reception, bringing together founders, investors, policymakers, and leaders from across Canada’s innovation ecosystem here in Ottawa. Over the next few days, participants will engage in important conversations on early-stage investment, innovation policy, and the strategies needed to help Canadian companies grow and scale. At a time when Canada is focused on strengthening its economic resilience and sovereignty, these conversations — and the ideas driving them — matter more than ever. Thank you to @Claudio__Rojas and the entire @NACOCanada team for the important work you are doing to strengthen Canada’s innovation economy across the country.

Newsrooms are navigating real pressure right now, which makes independent, credible journalism all the more consequential. Compass Rose is always proud to support @CDN_WPF, to honour journalists who do the work to keep institutions accountable, here at home and globally. A special shoutout to @meansandways_ca Editor-in-Chief, @bea_vdc, for being part of the World Press Freedom Canada team behind it. #CdnMedia #PressFreedom

#SPOTTED: The Compass Rose team connecting with clients and the #cdnpoli crowd after the release of the 2026 Spring Economic Update at The Met. Always a good moment to trade notes on what it all means beyond the page.

The Spring Economic Update will be out today, setting the government’s near-term economic direction. For Canadian businesses and organizations, the focus is on signals. Spending priorities, competitiveness, procurement, and investment all shape the operating environment in the months ahead. Our team provides the strategic analysis needed to help our clients navigate implications for their sectors and position them to respond effectively to an evolving policy landscape. #CdnPoli #CdnEcon #PublicPolicy #CdnBiz

#SPOTTED: The Compass Rose team was on the ground at the @CdnChamberofCom's #FutureOfBusiness summit this week, joining leaders from across sectors to take stock of where the Canadian economy is heading and what it will take to compete. Across sessions on trade and the upcoming CUSMA review, the message was consistent: Canada has the fundamentals, but turning strategy into outcomes will require stronger coordination between government and industry, and, most importantly, execution. #CdnEcon #CdnPoli

#SPOTTED at Liberal Party of Canada National Convention 2026 The Compass Rose team was on the ground in Montreal, tracking the policy conversations and political dynamics shaping the road ahead, connecting with leaders, stakeholders, and partners from across the country. From the convention floor, Marci Surkes shared insights on the political path forward. As Prime Minister Mark Carney and the government move closer to majority territory, Marci noted the importance of strong caucus management to maintain momentum as the agenda advances. Her perspectives were featured across @CPAC_TV - tinyurl.com/5n6czj83 The @TorontoStar - tinyurl.com/yzwx3zsr and The @globeandmail - ​​tinyurl.com/29j5x5ps #CdnPoli #LPC2026 #PublicAffairs

This week, Samantha Thompson, Acting Lead Public Affairs Counsellor at Compass Rose Group, returned to the program where she got her start to speak with students in the Public Relations program at @AlgonquinColleg, including those pursuing the joint pathway with the @uOttawa — a program which she completed herself. Samantha spoke about her experience since graduating, what a career in PR and government relations looks like today, and how students can start building their own career paths. The conversation focused on the next generation of students who are getting ready to step into the workforce and help build, shape, and deliver for Canada in the years ahead.

New federal defence policies are reshaping Canada’s professional services landscape, with Ottawa at the centre of that shift. Recent commitments, including reinvestment in the Canadian Armed Forces and a renewed focus on domestic “Buy Canadian” procurement plan, are already driving increased activity across sectors. As Marci Surkes told @obj_news Mia Jensen, “The bump in interest is real. It’s already happening and we are scaling accordingly, based on the requests for information we’re getting from potential clients and existing clients.” What’s different now is the framing, with defence procurement increasingly treated as long-term industrial policy rather than episodic opportunity. This new approach has the potential to create change, not just for defence companies but for all local sectors in Ottawa. tinyurl.com/4xyyjzhr #CdnPoli #Defence #CdnDefence #Procurement

In the @nationalpost, Catherine Lévesque recently spoke to @ Marci Surkes to explore the evolving dynamic between Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre, including what one source describes as a “180-degree shift” in Poilievre’s tone compared to his approach with Justin Trudeau. “This spirit of cooperation may not last forever, but in this moment, it meets the moment in terms of what Canadians are looking for from political leaders,” Surkes notes. That shift is not accidental. It reflects a more deliberate approach to opposition, one that balances contrast with moments of pragmatism, particularly as both leaders navigate a more complex economic and political landscape. And while it may be temporary, it signals something broader: Canadians may be looking to leaders who can adapt their tone to the moment, not just hold the line. You can read more of Marci’s interview here: tinyurl.com/2vswy9y8

Great discussion this morning at TECHNATION’s Smart Procurement event at @Invest_Ottawa. As a sponsor, Compass Rose was proud to support a conversation grounded in the release of our Smart Procurement Group report. Developed in collaboration with industry leaders, the report outlines practical, actionable ways to strengthen how procurement delivers for Canadians. A clear takeaway from today: improving procurement is not just about policy reform. It requires stronger execution and sustained collaboration between government and industry. Thank you to everyone contributing to this important dialogue. Read the report here: lnkd.in/ePtyKj_a #GCDigital #GCProcurement #CdnPoli #Procurement

Procurement is one of the most powerful levers governments have to drive growth, innovation, and public trust. The Smart Procurement Group (SPG) brought together leaders from across Canada’s technology ecosystem to focus on a simple task: how do we make procurement work better in practice? The report highlights a clear direction forward, grounded in transparency, consistency, and outcomes-based delivery. What stood out most is the shared recognition that improving procurement is a collective effort. It requires sustained collaboration, practical solutions, and a continued focus on delivering real results. “Effective procurement is about more than process, it’s about enabling Canada to deliver on its priorities,” added Christian Roy, Strategic Advisor at Compass Rose and SPG Secretariat lead. “A more effective system will depend on continued collaboration and a shared commitment from both public and private sector participants to uphold integrity, deliver value for money, and build trust in how procurement is conducted.” We’re looking forward to continuing this conversation with partners across government and industry. tinyurl.com/2udn5aeh #PublicService #GCDigital #GoCProcurement

Compass Rose is proud to share the release of our inaugural Smart Procurement Group (SPG). Developed in collaboration with industry leaders, the report outlines practical, actionable opportunities to strengthen how procurement delivers for Canadians. At a time when procurement is being asked to do more, from supporting digital transformation to strengthening supply chains, the need for more transparent, outcomes-driven approaches has never been clearer. “The procurement system is one of the most powerful levers governments have to drive economic growth and innovation,” said Kelly Hutchinson, Digital Government & Procurement Practice Lead at Compass Rose and founder of the Smart Procurement Group. “Through the SPG, we brought together leaders across the ecosystem to focus on practical, implementable solutions that can improve how the government buys, and ultimately how it delivers results for Canadians. Progress will depend not only on policy reform, but on execution and stronger collaboration between government and industry. This report is a starting point for that continued dialogue. tinyurl.com/2udn5aeh #PublicService #GCDigital #GCProcurement #GoC

“Do they want to win, or do they want to be a voice in Parliament?” says Marci Surkes on last night’s @PTP_CPAC on CPAC, sharing her thoughts on the next challenge for the NDP. As the party enters a leadership reset, the path forward isn’t just about rebuilding, it’s about defining what kind of party it wants to be. You can watch the full segment here: tinyurl.com/2u4859d9 #NDP #CdnPoli #Leadership

This week in the UK, the Compass Rose team attended a @globegov networking session with partners and peers across the Canada–UK ecosystem. The conversations throughout the day carried into the reception, particularly around cybersecurity, AI adoption, and the future of digital public services. Events like #Innovation2026 reinforced the importance of cross-border dialogue, not just to share ideas, but to build the partnerships needed to deliver at scale. #DigitalGovernment #GovTech #CanadaUK #PublicSector #AI #CyberSecurity #GCDigital #GCCyber #GCSoverignty

Strong insights this week as the @globegov's #Innovation2026, bringing together public sector leaders and industry partners to focus on advancing digital government. A consistent theme across sessions was the importance of turning innovation into implementation. From defence to service delivery, discussions highlighted how governments are working to modernize systems, strengthen collaboration, and deliver outcomes at scale. Data also featured prominently, with a shared focus on unlocking its value to improve services for citizens, while ensuring privacy, transparency, and trust remain central. What stood out was the emphasis on practical collaboration between governments and industry to accelerate progress and deliver more responsive, effective public services. #DigitalGovernment #GovTech #Innovation #CanadaUK #PublicSector #Data #AI

Can't join us in person for the @CdnCoalition_ 2026 Scorecard Reporting Event held in partnership with @Telfer_uOttawa ? 💻 Tune in online starting at 9:00 a.m. ET today! ➡️ bit.ly/2026ScorecardE… Thank you to @CPAC_TV our media partner, for supporting the #2026ScorecardReport Event. Your support allows us to share the key findings with a broader audience. #2026ScorecardReport Event. Your support allows us to share the key findings with a broader audience. #BetterFutureForCanada

The team at Compass Rose joined a Canada–UK roundtable in London alongside the Honourable Jenna Sudds, MP Kelly Block, and Shared Services Canada’s Shannon Archibald, along with a strong delegation of Canadian and UK leaders. At a moment when Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have reaffirmed the strength of the Canada–UK partnership, today’s discussion focused on what that collaboration looks like in practice. Bringing together senior public sector leaders and industry, it is clear the UK is moving quickly to implement at scale, and there is a clear opportunity for Canada to align, adapt, and accelerate. Thank you to all participants for a thoughtful and candid discussion. #DigitalGovernment #GovTech #CanadaUK #PublicSector #AI #CyberSecurity #GCDigital #GCCyber #GCSoverignty

As Prime Minister Mark Carney marks one year in office, his approach has been largely defined by a focus on Canada’s international standing. Samantha Thompson examines how this global positioning has shaped the government’s first year, the growing pressures Canadians are facing both domestically and internationally, and why this next phase will require a shift from direction to delivery. Read Samantha’s full piece for insights on what we can expect to come next: tinyurl.com/mvtpxbes #CdnPoli

Today @globeandmail has named Compass Rose one of Canada’s top women-led businesses. We celebrate this powerful recognition with our team, clients and partners who continue to raise the bar and have helped build a firm rooted in collaboration and community. Thank you. Our founding ethos, set a decade ago by founder @JacquieLaRocque, remains clear: putting Canadians at the centre of decisions, debates and solutions, and showing legislators and policymakers, regardless of who is in government, that they, and Canadian businesses, share more common ground than often assumed. This recognition reflects our sustained evolution and innovation under the leadership of Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director @MarciSurkes — shaping our strategy and market presence and reinforcing a culture grounded in insight and impact. As we look to the next decade of helping leaders advance some of Canada’s most complex policy, regulatory and communications challenges, we look forward to how the #uncommoncommongood will shape what comes next. theglobeandmail.com/business/rob-m…