Kate Urquhart

Public Affairs Consultant

Kate is a Public Affairs Consultant at Sutherland, supporting clients with their public affairs, including government relations, communications, strategic planning, and policy engagement. Kate focuses on comprehensive analysis and issue assessment, helping clients navigate complex political and regulatory environments while aligning their objectives with evolving government priorities.

Kate contributes to the development of strategic communications approaches and AI-enabled monitoring and briefing products, ensuring clients are equipped with timely intelligence, clear insights, and actionable guidance. She has also supported political campaigns and election-related initiatives, bringing a practical understanding of the political process, stakeholder dynamics, and public messaging.

With a background in public relations and communications, Kate brings strong analytical, organizational, and narrative development skills to her work. Prior to joining Sutherland, she gained experience in lifestyle and entertainment public relations, specializing in marketing, promotions, and crisis communications.

Kate holds a Double Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from Dalhousie University in Theatre Studies and Creative Writing, bringing a communications-driven perspective to public affairs strategy and stakeholder engagement.

Interview with Kate

What unique challenges does a Toronto GR agency face?

Operating in Toronto presents a unique set of challenges for government relations agencies due to the city’s rapidly evolving policy landscape, complex regulatory environment, and diverse stakeholder base. Navigating development approvals and infrastructure projects often requires engaging with multiple layers of government, each with distinct priorities and procedures.

In addition, the heightened visibility of municipal decisions particularly around housing, transit, and infrastructure demands a comprehensive approach that integrates strategic communications for community facing communications like public consultations in Toronto. government relations agencies in Toronto must remain agile, well-informed, and attuned to local sensitivities in order to deliver meaningful results for clients.

Can you discuss the intersection of government relations and community relations?

Government relations and community relations are increasingly interdependent, particularly in Canadian cities. While government relations focuses on building relationships with elected officials and policymakers, community relations ensures that public engagement efforts are inclusive, transparent, and responsive to local concerns. At Sutherland, we recognize that successful advocacy often hinges on aligning client objectives with community interests.

Whether supporting Toronto public consultations or guiding clients through rural development approvals, we help facilitate constructive dialogue between stakeholders, residents, and decision-makers. By integrating strategic communications with government relations, we create pathways for trust, collaboration, and long-term success.