Morten Paulsen

Morten Paulsen is a Senior Vice President and General Manager Fleishman-Hillard Canada.

A biographical note states that Paulsen "joined Fleishman-Hillard Canada in 2006 to lead our Alberta operations. He brings to the firm more than 12 years of senior experience in politics and public relations. Immediately prior to joining Fleishman-Hillard, Morten managed his own consulting practice and oversaw a variety of projects, including external relations for professional associations, crisis communications assistance to business and advocacy organizations, a media and government relations campaign for Canada’s largest Aboriginal economic development project, planning and executing a multi-million dollar medical capital campaign and branding a start up oil technology company, all while remaining politically active."

"Prior to that, Morten worked with the Reform Party and later the Canadian Alliance in a variety of roles, including public relations director and director of operations. He also managed or advised a variety of federal, provincial and municipal campaigns. He was a spokesperson for the Conservative Party in the last federal election and co-chaired the 2006 Alberta Provincial PC Convention. Morten holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Calgary, and a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis. Morten speaks English and Danish," it states.

Working for Friends and Science and the Conservative Party

In February 2008, Mike De Souza reported for Canwest News Service that Morten Paulsen, who is Senior Vice President and General Manager Fleishman-Hillard Canada, worked as a "volunteer spokesperson for the Conservatives at the same time that he was acting as a paid communications consultant for the Friends of Science." FoS ran a major radio advertising campaign attacking the former Liberal government for its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions. When FoS president Douglas Leahey was asked who identified the target markets for the ads he stated "I would imagine that would have been (decided by) our public relations consultant (Paulsen)." Paulsen declined to comment on Leahey's suggestion. Liberal member of parlaiment Mark Holland said that it appeared that Paulsen "might have been directing what ridings specifically material went into and using (the group) as an arm of the Conservative Party of Canada and thus circumventing campaign financing rules."

In early 2006 - at the time of the election campaign - Paulsen was media contact for Friends of Science and registered lobbyist for two oil and gas industry companies. Less than two months after the election, he also registered as a lobbyist for Friends of Science. De Souza reported that Paulsen "did not return phone calls from Canwest News Service. When contacted by e-mail and informed of Leahey's remarks, he also declined to answer questions. 'Thank you for your note. Good luck with your story. I can't add anything I'm afraid.'"

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