Hill+Knowlton adds CAQ party advisor Jean-François Landry
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, a public affairs and public relations consultancy, has added Jean-François Landry as an account director focusing on public affairs and health.
Landry brings ten years of experience in provincial politics to the consulting firm’s Quebec City office, with deep knowledge of the current Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) majority government. Between October 2018 and January 2020, he served as deputy director to the Minister of Health and Social Services, Danielle McCann. During the fall 2018 election campaign, Landry helped prepare the current premier’s team for televised debates and public events.
He previously spent nine years as a researcher and political advisor in the parliamentary wing of the CAQ and Action démocratique du Québec (which merged with the CAQ in 2012). During this time he developed expertise across the areas of health, education, senior’s issues, language politics, and immigration.
"Jean-François will be a tremendous asset to our national health + wellness sector team. Having been involved in politics with the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ) since its inception, he participated in the development of the CAQ's 2018 health platform the year the party came to power. As a former top aide and close advisor to the office to the Minister of Health and Social Services, his knowledge of government issues and priorities will make him an exceptional asset for our clients in Quebec as well as across Canada,” said Isabelle Verreault, SVP and GM for Quebec at Hill+Knowlton.
Prior to entering the arena of provincial politics, Landry was a host and producer on CKRL 89.1 in Quebec City from 2001 to 2007. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from Laval University.
"The strength of a public affairs + advocacy team rests in its versatility and forging relationships between our clients and the government. H+K stands out for its solid expertise in public affairs and we are always proud to be able to enhance our team with an experienced practitioner like Jean-François," added Josiane Hébert, VP and deputy GM for Quebec.
Landry is the firm’s second hire from the CAQ, a centre-right, populist party that has reduced the Parti Québecois to irrelevancy in the current parliament. Hill+Knowlton in January hired Pierre Tremblay – the former deputy chief of staff to the Minister of Transport – as VP for public and government affairs in Quebec.
Hill+Knowlton has eight offices in Canada, as well as offices in more than 40 countries, and works with clients in a broad range of industries. It is a part of marketing, advertising, and public relations giant WPP.
