June 10, 2010 – Earlier this week, Niagara area MP Dean Allison tabled a motion in the House of Commons to move the government to consider a comprehensive strategy to help Canadians with anaphylaxis – severe, life-threatening allergies.

The MP’s Motion 546 reads: That in the opinion of the House, anaphylaxis is a serious concern for an increasing number of Canadians and the government should take the appropriate measures necessary to ensure these Canadians are able to maintain a high quality of life.

Leading up to this event, Chris George helped local volunteer group Niagara Anaphylaxis Support and Knowledge (NASK) prepare the launch and outreach strategies for heightening awareness on Parliament Hill and in Ottawa bureaucracy. “Working with the NASK leadership, we are connecting with MPs and are confident we can prompt Ottawa to re-think the issues faced by the hundreds of thousands of Canadians who must cope with life-threatening allergies. From standard food labeling to transportation regulations, to better public awareness campaigns, our federal government can do more to reduce the risks of death or hospitalization due to anaphylactic attacks.”

In a statement released this week, NASK President Cindy Paskey stated, “As more and more Canadian families face the challenges of raising a child with one or multiple severe allergies, a coordinated, thoughtful set of government initiatives will help to raise public understanding of anaphylaxis, and provide greater safety of its children and citizens.  We ask government to take steps to help to reduce the risk of unnecessary and preventable anaphylactic attacks.  Everyone benefits.  Medical emergencies are avoided.  Lives are saved.”

Ms. Paskey added, “Of necessity, there is a great deal of personal responsibility when living with anaphylaxis. Avoiding your allergens is the only way to stay alive.  With the support of MPs and government officials, we can raise greater public understanding, promote responsible safety measures, educate people on the signs of a reaction and how to help a person in need – similar to CPR education. This coordinated government approach will lead to reducing risk and to safer environments for those living with life-threatening allergies and to those providing care and services. Canadians and our governments have successfully tackled a wide range of health concerns that has made Canada a safer, healthier, happier place to live.  Anaphylaxis deserves the same attention.”

To read the full NASK statement and to learn more about this initiative in support of Motion 546, visit: www.nask.ca

For information on how you can help, visit www.nask.ca or connect with:

Chris George – 905-641-0800 / chris@cgacommunications.com

December 10, 2009 – 2009 has been quite a year for CG&A COMMUNICATIONS, the independent Canadian public relations firm celebrating its 15th year. To cap its anniversary today, the company announces the publication of the By George Treasury, a collection of the very best of its By George newsletter articles through the years.

CG&A COMMUNICATIONS President Chris George says the new publication is a milestone for the company’s newsletter-turn-on-line-quarterly. “With this compilation, we have the crème de la crème from 50 issues and more than one thousand articles. All the favourites from the past fifteen years of the newsletter appear in this book and we’re now turning the page from this quarterly publication to work with our on-line By George Journal.”

“The By George Treasury is really a valuable public relations resource for it has many practical tips for improving communications at work, interesting tidbits to use in social settings, and there’s a lot to laugh at,” adds George.

The By George Treasury includes:

• 15 of the most popular feature articles on effective communication practices at work, in meetings and with media relation
• a selection of classic wordplay – creative use of English language and other punny stuff
• quotations from Hemingway to Sir John A. Macdonald; from topics like inspiration to all-time movie quotes
• a humour section with pages of gems, guffaws and ones never to forget
• memorable lessons, parables, and questions and quizzes
• a selection of commentary from the Editor’s Desk that includes opinions on Canadian politics, government and real men

By George Treasury book costs $20 and can now be purchased directly by contacting CG&A COMMUNICATIONS.

Looking back on 2009, George comments the anniversary year has provided much to reflect on. “There’s a great deal changing in public relations. Our counseling clients on how to best make their case and helping them take advantage of emerging practices is very rewarding. We’ve got an excellent team and we work with some terrific organizations and you just can’t ask for anything more.”

This year, CG&A COMMUNICATIONS extended its services managing health care issues with the announcement of a Health Care Sector Advisory Board, which counsels the company’s consultants and clients on the evolving challenges faced within the health care sector. [Read more about this new initiative and the Advisory Board.]

CG&A COMMUNICATIONS is a public relations firm with a network of consultants in Ottawa, the GTA and the Niagara Region.

Visit www.cgacommunications.com to learn more about the company or to access the on-line By George Journal.

For more information, or to order your copy of By George Treasury, contact:

Chris George — (905) 641-0800; chris@cgacommunications.com

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November 4, 2009 – CG&A COMMUNICATIONS today announced the creation of a Health Sector Advisory Board to advise the company and its clients on current affairs and the evolving challenges facing the health care sector in Ontario.

Company president Chris George states the new Board will be a touchstone for CG&A COMMUNICATIONS consultants and clients. “This distinguished group will provide counsel and their insight into the many competing agendas within the healthcare sector. Board members have a pulse on current affairs within the sector and they can lend their input into stakeholder relations and effective communications practices.”

The CG&A COMMUNICATIONS Health Care Advisory Board is comprised of four individuals from differing backgrounds. Mr. George explains, “Together, the Board members offer a wide-angled view of what is happening with health care services in Ontario. We are fortunate to be able to draw on Board members’ varied perspectives as a hospital Board Chairman, or a professional regulator’s Board member, or from a public opinion or social media vantage point.”

“To be able to draw on the expertise of the Board will be invaluable to our clients’ ability to react to and move decisively on the hard realities of decreasing budgets, increasing costs and greater and greater demands on health services.” Mr. George adds, “This group brings its talents, acumen and experience to bear on the issues of the day.”

Board members are:

• Antonio Carvalho – career senior manager in financial and gaming sectors, with various Board experiences that includes Hospital Chairmanship
• Vicki Griffiths – career marketing executive with a focus on health, and former Board member and advisor of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
• Nik Nanos – national pollster and public affairs commentator, with varied health care experience within public and industry sectors
• Nathan Rudyk – president of an on-line marketing company with expertise in social networking communications campaigns; noted social media expert

The Advisory Board is available to the company’s consultants to provide independent, expert counsel, insight and information on an ad hoc basis. As an independent advisory group, the Board members are not consultants of and do not receive remuneration from CG&A COMMUNICATIONS. (Board member backgrounds are attached.)

CG&A COMMUNICATIONS is a public relations firm with a network of consultants in Ottawa, the GTA and the Niagara Region. Visit: www.cgacommunications.com

For more information on the Advisory Board, contact:

Chris George (905) 641-0800; chris@cgacommunications.com