Building a Saskatchewan Business Through a Strong Prairie Voice

Kaveri Braid
Principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group, Saskatchewan

Earnscliffe Strategy Group, a national government relations, strategic communications and opinion research firm, is thriving in Saskatchewan.  After five successful, steady years in the province, the firm is now adding another principal to its operations.  Jamie Miley, a well known public policy and communications strategist, will join the Earnscliffe team based in Saskatoon.

On the surface, this is your typical entrepreneurial story of growth, where Earnscliffe Saskatchewan began as a start-up. Through perseverance, exceptional strategic advice, and listening to and delivering on clients’ needs, the company has designed a fully comprehensive blueprint, on which to build a strong, successful business every year.

But aside from building a solid business plan, there is one major element that has helped build Earnscliffe’s business in Saskatchewan – the growing prairie voice.

For decades, people in Saskatchewan have been known to be humble - in fact we actually pride ourselves for not bragging.  And it’s because of that humility, Saskatchewan has been one of Canada’s best kept secrets for years. 

I never got that until I moved here 16 years ago. As a young reporter with CBC Television, I was so fortunate to not only be able explore every corner of this province, but to be given the opportunity to  meet all kinds of people: the optimistic farmers who farmed for a better next year, the miners and oil patch workers who knew how to work hard and play hard, the CEOs who choose to create head offices in the province knowing their business would be supported here, and the Gen X’ers who knew that building a family life in Saskatchewan was something special.

Now fast forward 15 years -through a turnover in provincial governments, a thriving economy, and a population boom, no one would dispute that Saskatchewan is changing.  Yes, our economy is diversifying, and many different cultures are now calling the province’s cities and towns home, but the biggest difference is the Saskatchewan voice - we are getting louder. 

Saskatchewan is by no means being boastful, but we are now protecting what we know is precious to this province: our natural resources, our economy, and our people.  So, the next time you hear someone from Saskatchewan fighting back on the carbon tax, advocating for pipelines, or grumbling about the lack of rail movement for grain farmers, it’s not just politicking - it’s the growing prairie voice protecting our property and our pride.

So, what does this have to do with business?  It is this strong, prairie voice that has helped grow a start-up business based in public policy and communications.  I have heard this strong prairie voice in all the Saskatchewan clients I have with whom I’ve collaborated, and it doesn’t seem to be backing down - nor should it. 

Saskatchewan is unique, and so this province should be recognized for that.  The prairie voice should help shape future federal government policies and help create communications campaigns that make Canadians think.  This is the core foundation of Earnscliffe Saskatchewan - to help amplify the prairie voice and create a venue for both private and public businesses, and organizations to be heard, whether that’s on the political or public stage. 

And as long as people in Saskatchewan want to make some noise, Earnscliffe Strategy Group will help plug in the speaker.

Kaveri Braid joins Earnscliffe to lead the Saskatchewan practice in government relations, strategic communications, public policy and research. Her political savvy and communications expertise will be an asset for clients looking to succeed in the rapidly growing Saskatchewan marketplace.

Kaveri joined Earnscliffe in November 2013 after working for the last three years as a communications advisor for the Premier, Cabinet Ministers and the Saskatchewan Government on media and communications. She helped deliver many of the Saskatchewan government’s important economic and social policies and understands the inner workings of government.

Before joining executive council, Kaveri spent 15 years as a journalist, broadcast reporter and evening news anchor for CBC Television. She has been a familiar face on national and provincial newscasts and served as lead reporter on some of Canada’s top national news stories. Kaveri earned a “Gemini Award, On-going Coverage” nomination in 2007.

Kaveri lives in Saskatoon with her husband Christian, and their young son Aiden. She is an active volunteer in the community, supporting groups such as the Saskatoon Community Foundation, READ Saskatoon, and TEDx Saskatoon.

Jamie Miley is a public affairs and communications professional with decades of experience, working closely with corporate and government senior officials at all levels.  He is known for his relationship building approach, stakeholder engagement, and is trusted by many in Saskatchewan and Alberta to help facilitate positive outcomes in the public affairs world.

Jamie was a founding member of one of Saskatchewan’s most prominent communications and advertising agencies.  He has been sought by many publicly-traded companies across Western Canada to advise on key communications and branding strategies plus navigate complex media stories.

He has worked closely with post-secondary education institutions and within Saskatchewan’s natural resource sector, where he has offered valuable insight into public affairs strategy and the policy development process for provincial and federal governments. 

Jamie has served in a senior advisory capacity for two federal cabinet ministers, most recently as senior advisor to the minister of Finance.

He holds a master’s degrees in diplomacy, majoring in international commerce, from Norwich University – Vermont. He also holds a master degree in addiction counselling from the Hazelden – Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies in Minnesota, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in political science and history.

Jamie is an active volunteer in the Saskatoon community, serving on the board of the Friendship Inn, and Persephone Theatre. He has been active in various community projects including: Canadian Special Olympics, the Jeux Canada Games, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital foundation. He devotes time to helping people recover from the disease of addiction.