Recently, I had the privilege of travelling to Brisbane, Australia, for the National Regulators Community of Practice (NRCoP) conference, hosted by the Australia New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG). For me, it was both an opportunity to learn and an opportunity to share. I arrived with a curiosity about how regulation in Australia and New Zealand compares with the Canadian landscape. I left with a deepened understanding of just how much binds us together as a global community of regulators.
Shared commitments across borders
In every presentation and in every conversation, one theme was clear: the commitment to protect the public is universal. Regulators in Sydney, Auckland, Toronto, or Dublin may operate under different legislative frameworks and cultural contexts, but their purpose is rooted in the same conviction. It is a commitment to fairness, accountability, and integrity. It is a recognition that regulation matters most when it safeguards not only the majority but also those who are most vulnerable.
The passion I witnessed was not casual interest. It was a profound sense of duty expressed in the careful depth of the presentations, in the challenging and thoughtful questions from participants, and in the ongoing dialogue that continued well beyond the formal sessions. That spirit of reflection and debate felt familiar, because it is the same spirit I see in Canada, and increasingly in regulatory conversations around the world.
Why I went
My purpose in travelling to Australia was threefold:
- I wanted to learn more about regulatory systems outside of Canada, to broaden my understanding of similarities and differences, and to strengthen my ability to work alongside global colleagues.
- I sought to better understand the practical tools that regulators in Australia and New Zealand rely on, and to consider how they could be applied to the work we do with our clients in Canada. While strategic regulatory communications is beginning to emerge as a top priority at home, it is regarded in Australia by many as an unconditional core element of effective regulation.
- Finally, I wanted to share what we do at MDR Strategy Group, including the work we lead through The Registrar magazine, RegulatoryJobs.org, and most recently, The Registrar Forum. Launching The Registrar Forum in Brisbane gave me the chance to introduce our vision to a wider community of regulators and to explain why we believe communication, collaboration, and the exchanging of ideas are so essential to the future of regulation. I was able to share how passion drives our work, and how our firm is deeply committed to strengthening the sector worldwide.
Lessons in inclusion
One of the most striking impressions I brought home was the visible and genuine respect shown to Indigenous peoples in Australia and New Zealand. I saw firsthand how regulatory bodies there acknowledge history and culture while working to build trust with communities. The message was clear: protecting the public means protecting all members of the public. Several regulators spoke to me about how their learning in this area has shaped their governance, their policies, and their daily operations. These lessons resonate strongly in Canada and underscore that the work of reconciliation in regulation is both urgent and ongoing.
Stories worth telling
In the next issue of The Registrar magazine, we will feature one of the exceptional leaders I met in Brisbane. Their story will provide a window into the challenges, opportunities, and creative approaches that define regulatory leadership in their jurisdiction. It will also remind readers that the issues we grapple with in Canada are not unique. Questions of trust, accountability, modernization, and inclusion are global.
A shared calling
As I reflected during the trip, I was reminded of something that many of us know instinctively. Very few children grow up declaring that they want to be a regulator. In fact, I suspect very few students enter university with that goal in mind. And yet here we are, a global community of professionals who, through diverse and often surprising pathways, have found ourselves in regulation.
What unites us is not how we arrived, but what we have become. Regulators in Toronto, Dublin, Sydney, or Auckland share a collective dedication to making the world safer, fairer, and more accountable. They are often doing so out of the public spotlight, with limited recognition, but with immense impact.
Looking ahead
The NRCoP conference was not only a chance to learn. It was a reminder of the privilege it is to work in this field. Regulation is not always glamorous, but it is vital. It shapes trust in professions, it upholds fairness in systems, and it gives the public confidence that someone is watching out for their interests.
At MDR, we believe that supporting regulators is one of the most meaningful contributions we can make to public life. Whether through strategic communications, governance training, or international dialogue, our aim is to strengthen the sector so that regulators everywhere can succeed in their mission.
Brisbane was an important milestone in that journey. It reminded me that while each of us works within our own statutes, our own communities, and our own challenges, we are connected by a common purpose. And when regulators come together across borders to share ideas and experiences, we create something powerful: a global conversation dedicated to protecting the public interest.
Nice meeting you all. Thank you for your leadership, NRCoP, and thank you for your hospitality, Australia.
