Basia Puszkar

Background

About Basia Puszkar

Basia Puszkar has broad experience at the front-line of politics, leadership roles in government, in international development and elections. With interdisciplinary expertise in international relations, politics, and government Basia is a government relations leader with experience in diplomatic engagements, intergovernmental tables such as Canada’s Council of the Federation, First Ministers’ Meetings, multi-partner Indigenous tables, intergovernmental and stakeholder engagements. Basia has regularly held the pen for elected officials on formal communications including bi-lateral and multi-lateral communications and communiques, speeches, official letters, and strategic talking points – including political communications such as writing for Question Period or Parliamentary committee interventions. These experiences are rooted in think-tank research experience in the U.K. and graduate-level education in international public policy from leading global institutions, including the London School of Economics and Sciences Po Paris. Basia's international relations expertise is broad, from a leadership role with UNICEF on international policies and programs, to leading international relations for the Province of Ontario and participating in democratic electoral missions on behalf of Canada with the OSCE. Part of Basia's career focused on international trade policy, including the Canada-U.S. tariff disputes during President Trump's first term and on Brexit analysis and impacts. Basia's early career began in education, including experiences in Taiwan, Canada, and France. This included work in Indigenous education in Canada, which later informed work in government on education policy and intergovernmental strategy. Basia contributed to federal-provincial responses to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, led work on the response to the Seven First Nations Youth Inquest, facilitated consultation tables of Indigenous representatives for Ontario, and participated in curriculum development. Basia is a creative leader who builds teams through active kindness and integrity, intellectual curiosity, and excellence. Above all, Basia is a global citizen and engaged thinker on international issues who challenges received ideas. Her perspective is grounded in a deep interest in culture, history, philosophy, economics, politics, current events, and the arts. Basia is multilingual and above all a reader, a writer, a traveler, and a global citizen.