Stevie O’Brien is a versatile and accomplished lawyer, government and stakeholder relations leader and public policy specialist with more than a decade of federal and provincial government experience. She is a co-lead of McMillan’s Procurement Law Group, leveraging her government knowledge to support companies in navigating the public procurement process successfully.

Having advised senior politicians and officials at the highest levels of decision-making, including the prime minister, Stevie excels in interpreting mission-critical initiatives through a political lens and facilitating strategic interactions within government and legal ecosystems.

Stevie began her legal career at McMillan as a litigation and dispute resolution associate in Toronto, before transitioning to the public sector. Prior to rejoining McMillan, Stevie served as chief of staff to several cabinet ministers including to two ministers of public services and procurement. She has experience providing strategic political analysis across a complex portfolio encompassing large IT and defense procurements, national procurement modernization and the oversight of multiple Crown Corporations, including Canada Post.

Her most important contributions include providing strategic advice on Canada’s COVID-19 procurement response, including the agreements to secure and roll out $9B of vaccines and $5B of rapid tests, arguably the highest profile and most closely scrutinized purchases in Canadian history.

During her time as Chief of Staff to Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, Stevie was extensively involved in advancing the Government’s legalization and regulation of cannabis, as well as setting foundations and frameworks for the assault weapon ban.

Her experience also includes serving as Director of Parliamentary Affairs and Issues Management to the Minister of Health, legal counsel to the Liberal Party of Canada during the 2021 General Election Campaign and Chief of Staff to the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Stevie is also a Senior Advisor at McMillan Vantage, Canada’s premium public affairs firm, and a regular commentator on CBC’s Power & Politics.

 



Speaking Engagements

Canadian Institute for Procurement and Material Management (CIPMM) 33rd Annual National Workshop

June 6-8, 2023

Canadian Public Procurement Council's "Forum 2023"

May 8, 2023

News


Media Mentions


Directorships & Affiliations

  • Member of the American Bar Association (2024)

Education & Admissions

2023
Certificate in Public Procurement Law: The Rules in PracticeOsgoode Hall Law School
2011
Called to the Ontario Bar
2010
JDQueen's University
2007
BA (Hons)University of Toronto, Victoria College

Insights (9 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

Far from being FARA – Canada’s Proposed Foreign Influence Transparency Registry Law Leaves the Details for Another Day

Canada's proposed foreign agent registry doesn't mirror the problematic aspects of FARA, but many details are left to future regulations and guidance.

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Jun 5, 2024
Featured Insight

Prepare your business to comply with Canada’s new anti-slavery legislation

An in-person seminar aiming to discuss the scope of Bill S-211 and how this new legislation might affect businesses.

Details
June 1, 2023
Featured Insight

New Mandatory Reporting Requirement for Businesses: Canada’s Modern Anti-Slavery Bill Becomes Law

Canada imposes new reporting obligations on forced labour, and what it means for Canadian businesses.

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May 3, 2023
Featured Insight

Pursuing Ethical Supply Chains: ESG and Human Rights Principles Incorporated in Federal Procurement Policies

Contracting Policy Notice 2023-1 makes the Code of Conduct for Procurement mandatory for all federal procurements and introduces ESG-related responsibilities.

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May 1, 2023
Featured Insight

Canada Will Introduce A Foreign Influence Transparency Registry – Government of Canada Opens Consultations on the Registry Thru May 9, 2023

Public Safety Canada, the federal department responsible for national security announced consultations on a foreign influence transparency registry.

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Mar 10, 2023
Featured Insight

Rush Order – Government of Canada Invokes Urgent Operational Requirements to Justify Quick Purchases of Military Goods

Canada's Defence Minister invokes Urgent Operational Requirements in Eastern Europe to buy military hardware using an exceptional procurement mechanism

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Mar 10, 2023
Featured Insight

Procurement in Ontario: Current State-of-Play

Potential changes to procurement in Ontario include the operationalization of Supply Ontario and "Buy Ontario" legislation.

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Mar 8, 2023
Featured Insight

Greening Procurement in Canada: New Implications for the Construction Industry and Beyond

Two new standards under Canada's Policy on Green Procurement impose greenhouse gas emissions disclosure obligations on federal departments and contractors.

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Feb 1, 2023