Experience:
- Public Policy & Advocacy
- Government Relations
- Crisis & Strategic Communications
- Public Relations
- Issues Management
RICHARD TRUSCOTT
Vice President
Richard is one of Western Canada’s most experienced and respected public relations and government relations professionals, bringing more than 30 years of leadership in advocacy, public policy, strategic communications, and issues management. As Vice-President at Prairie Sky Strategy, he helps clients navigate complex government systems, build influence, and achieve measurable public affairs outcomes across the four western provinces and in Ottawa.
Richard’s career spans senior roles in political, corporate, and association environments. He began his career on Parliament Hill as an advisor to the Leader of the Opposition, gaining first‑hand experience in federal policy-making and political strategy. In the private sector, he worked in a series of roles, including as Senior Public Relations Strategist with one of Canada’s largest independent marketing agencies, developing and executing major campaigns for national blue-chip clients.
He later spent a decade with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), serving as Vice-President for BC and Alberta. During this time, he led high-performing advocacy teams and spearheaded several of CFIB’s most influential national and provincial campaigns, helping shape public policy on taxation, regulation, and small business competitiveness.
Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Calgary and an MBA from Queen’s University, along with an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS), an association he led as national president from 2012 to 2014.
He currently serves as Treasurer for CPRS Calgary and recently joined the national CPRS Thought Leadership Council. In recognition of his sustained leadership, mentorship, and service, Richard received the prestigious Lamp of Service Award in 2016 and admitted to the College of Fellows in 2026. Richard also currently serves on the national board of the Public Affairs Association of Canada (PAAC) and is Past President and Treasurer for the Alberta chapter.
Sector Experience:
- Public Policy & Advocacy
- Government Relations
- Crisis & Strategic Communications
- Public Relations
- Issues Management
What we do:
At Prairie Sky Strategy we develop the strategy to bridge the gap between where your organization is today, and where you want it to be tomorrow.
You have growth objectives. You may have regulatory challenges. You may be headquartered in another jurisdiction and need “boots on the ground” in-market providing local insights, analysis and execution. That’s where Prairie Sky comes in.
We assist local, national and international organizations to identify barriers to success, and develop and implement a strategic roadmap to capitalize on the endless opportunities in Western Canada and beyond.
