The Government and Institutional Relations (GIR) team provides strategic advice and support in terms of government, institutional, community, and corporate relations activities. The unit works closely with Queen's Senior Leadership Team (SLT), Deans, and other university leaders.
The services provided by GIR fall under four key activities:
Government relations
While ensuring institutional compliance with lobbying regulations and engagement guidelines, the GIR team builds and enhances the university’s government relations profile by identifying and engaging with external stakeholders. The GIR team provides consultation and support to advance university priority initiatives in alignment with public and government interests and in compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
Municipal and community relations
By building and enhancing local relationships with municipal government and community stakeholders, the GIR team advances university priorities relating to municipal policy and bylaw matters, capital project approvals, and overall reputation management. This includes managing relationships with near-campus neighbours to ensure the university is responsive to community concerns.
Institutional relations
As a central contact, the GIR team manages Queen’s relationships and participation in external post-secondary advocacy organizations such Universities Canada, the Council of Ontario Universities, the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, and the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities. Working with these participatory bodies, the GIR team is able to identify, analyze, map, and prioritize external stakeholders and conduct coordinated lobbying campaigns on identified issues.
Corporate relations
By improving cross-departmental communication, empowering internal stakeholders, and strengthening ties, Queen’s can pursue deeper, values-driven, impactful corporate partnerships. The aims of the corporate relations function include enhancing cross-campus information-exchange and collaboration, providing support to internal units, and facilitating connections with industry partners.
Economic and Community Impact
Queen's impact in the local community and beyond is felt across a range of dimensions: economically, socially, and culturally. This impact happens when Queen’s works intentionally with community partners to advance well-being, bring innovations to market, and build a stronger community. Learn more...
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Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada
AUCC is the national voice for Canadian universities, representing 97 public and private not-for-profit universities and university degree-level colleges. It is a membership organization that provides university presidents with a unified voice and a forum for collective action. Learn more about the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.
Council of Ontario Universities
COU is a membership organization of Ontario’s 20 publicly funded universities and the Royal Military College of Canada. It facilitates discussion between members and advocates on a wide range of university issues as well as coordinating a number of shared services for members. Learn more about the Council of Ontario Universities.
U15 Group of Canadian Universities
U15 represents Canada’s 15 research-intensive universities to advance public policy that helps Canada become increasingly globally competitive. Learn more about the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities.
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities is a research, policy, and advocacy organization representing 235 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations in North America. Learn more about the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.
