Barinder S. Bhullar

As the Principal of Mainland Strategies, Barinder brings two decades of experience as a trusted strategic advisor, guiding clients on public affairs, government relations, community and stakeholder engagement. Through his work in the public and private sector, Barinder has a proven record of establishing and maintaining relations with domestic and international governments and stakeholders.

Barinder previously served in various senior Government roles, including the Director of Policy to the Premier of British Columbia, where he worked to ensure specific policy developments aligned with broader government objectives. In this role, Barinder engaged with various sector stakeholders on behalf of the Premier and cabinet ministers while leading a team responsible for strategic planning and cross-Government coordination.

As Senior Director for International Missions for the Government of British Columbia, Barinder identified and led the execution of targeted international trade missions to Asia, including China, India, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. Working with Governments and stakeholders across Asia, with a specific focus on establishing the Liquified Natural Gas industry in British Columbia, Barinder ensured trade and investment outcomes were delivered for British Columbia. As a senior political aide to the Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Barinder developed the stakeholder engagement strategy and supported legislation preparations for the Tsawwassen First Nation and Maa-Nulth First Nation Treaty Agreements, the first two modern-day treaties under the BC Treaty Commission. Barinder also previously served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Children and Family Development.

Outside of Government, Barinder served as Vice President of International Affairs for a leading Health Canada licensed Canadian Cannabis Producer, leading the global market strategy for medical cannabis. In this role, Barinder worked with Governments in the UK and Brussels to provide input on Europe's medical cannabis policy. He also sat on the boards of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis in Europe and the UK's Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group, sharing his expertise across the globe, including keynote and panel speaking opportunities in Tel Aviv, London, and Malta.

With an intimate understanding of Canada's business, economic, political and cultural landscape, Barinder is a leader in diversity and inclusion, proudly serving as a strategic advisor to Veza Global, a leading Diversity, Equity and Inclusion organization. He also sits on the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade's Diversity and Leadership Council. Barinder also serves as chair for the liveBIG Society, an organization dedicated to helping individuals with substance and alcohol addiction issues access counselling, information, treatment, aftercare, and group support programs. A proponent for addressing political underrepresentation, Barinder has been actively involved with recruiting and selecting candidates from diverse communities at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels.

Barinder provides media commentary on public affairs and politics in British Columbia and across Canada.

Services

Public Affairs | Community and stakeholder relations. Crisis and Issues Management.

Government Relations | Domestic and international Government Relations. Federal, Provincial, Municipal and First Nations Governments.

Communications | Services for both mainstream and ethnic media. Communications planning, media relations, and digital content planning.

Advocacy Campaigns | Advocacy and public policy. Engage communities and build support for initiatives.