Chris George and Lisa Hingley begin a “virtual” home-based communications business
(years before a virtual biz was accepted) with a network of freelance writers, graphic designers, communications consultants, and a translator. The first client was Gus Zygoumis, owner of Dustmoon Maintenance. (Sidenote: the first browser, Netscape Navigator, was introduced in the summer of 1994 and it was only after that when websites became easily accessible.)

CG&A began working with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada helping to
develop a strategic plan for government and its public policy agenda. For 14 years CG&A
managed MADD Canada’s national public relations and government affairs programs,
supporting the National Presidents’ tours, managing government relations, directing national media relations, event planning, creating print and on-line materials including the national website.

Through the 1990s Chris and Lisa were also involved in politics: Chris took on the
campaign management for Ottawa mayoralty candidate Jim Watson while Lisa worked contracts at Queen’s Park and later Ottawa City Hall. Both worked election campaigns at every level of government.

CG&A provided services for more than half a dozen clients including full communications support to MADD Canada, the Ottawa International Airport, and the Perley Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre.

In completing the Ottawa Transition Board, CG&A became the public relations company of record for Hydro Ottawa and Commissionaires, as well as servicing Hydro Ottawa sister companies, Energy Ottawa and Telecom Ottawa. With Hydro Ottawa, CG&A counseled the
CEO and senior management team on communications issues, helped establish its corporate brand, and assisted with the implementation of both its internal and external communications
programs.

Work with Commissionaires expanded and CG&A established the security force profile and its expertise with emerging security issues. Based on the work with Commissionaires
Ottawa, CG&A began providing services to other divisions across the country.

Chris and Lisa moved from Ottawa, across the province, to St. Catharines to establish CG&A in the Niagara Region and Greater Toronto Area.

CG&A began reaching out for contract work with local businesses and associations, including Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Niagara.

Through the 2000s, with MADD Canada, Chris had developed a comprehensive
advocacy program that was engaged in Ottawa and with every provincial legislature. In the fall, CG&A helped to orchestrate MADD Canada to showcase PM Stephen Harper launching the organization’s annual red ribbon holiday awareness campaign.

Work with CMEC resulted in the introduction of essential federal copyright legislation and a sought after internet amendment for the education community in Canada. This was a new line in the sand for copyright users’ rights, specifically for teachers in the classroom. Also
CG&A was providing services to the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy and strategic counsel services for the Nova Scotia Educational Leadership Consortium.

In November, the on-line By George Journal was launched to share ideas on PR and GR tactics and to provide bons mots and humourous pieces for use in the workplace and social settings.

Chris served on the board of the Child Advocacy Centre Niagara, an organization that supports children and youth who have been physically and/or sexually abused, have become the targets of internet luring, or were unwilling witnesses of violence.

The copyright landscape for the Canadian education sector shifted positively with the passage of a new copyright law and a Supreme Court decision, both validating the CMEC ministers’ copyright policy position and marking a successful conclusion to more than a decade of government affairs activity in the federal copyright reform process.

Chris served as campaign manager for Shaun McLaughlin’s successful 2014 mayoral bid in Mississippi Mills.

The CMEC advocacy activities pivoted in Ottawa to defend the new copyright and
education framework as copyright lobbying intensified with a new federal government.
Chris began work with Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, assisting with strategic communications for her
nomination campaign process and the communications plan for the run up to the 2018 provincial election campaign.

Chris began writing news commentary on federal politics, becoming a regular contributor to The Niagara Independent. The column is known for its fact-based critiques of the Ottawa political scene and has a readership from across Canada.

This year featured great challenges through a worldwide health pandemic, which led to
mandates and business lockdowns in Canada. Fortunately, CG&A actually grew its book of business during the 2020-22 pandemic years. Lisa took advantage of this period to learn chair upholstery and design skills, which has led to the creative outlet Sitting Pretty Chairs.

Chris served as Merrilee Fullerton’s campaign manager for her successful re-election in
the spring provincial election.

CG&A marked 30 years having worked for more than 85 clients — corporations, small
businesses, individuals, national associations and small volunteer-run organizations, public
institutions, government agencies and political initiatives.

In the spring, Chris launched a new By George Journal on Substack to expand his news commentary on federal politics. He is scheduled to publish three books on matters dealing with the Canada’s federal politics.