With nearly two decades at the Calgary Herald, Lakritz has become essential reading for understanding Western Canada's role in national politics. Her columns blend historical context with forward-looking policy analysis, particularly on trade agreements and social justice issues.
We've followed Naomi Lakritz's career as a sharp observer of Canadian policy and social dynamics for nearly two decades. Her work combines rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex issues relatable to mainstream audiences.
This 2016 analysis piece demonstrates Lakritz's ability to translate complex trade agreements into voter-impact narratives. By dissecting the rhetoric around NAFTA and TPP during the U.S. election cycle, she revealed how protectionist policies could destabilize North American economic partnerships. The article's strength lies in its synthesis of Wharton School research with grassroots anecdotes about cross-border workforce realities.
Lakritz's methodology combines academic sourcing with street-level reporting, exemplified by her inclusion of both political economist Mauro Guillen's data and conversations with Alberta energy workers. This dual perspective became particularly relevant when the USMCA negotiations began impacting Canadian auto sector jobs in 2020.
In this 2023 commentary, Lakritz holds Canada's leadership accountable for policy-practice gaps in gender equality initiatives. Through meticulous tracking of budget allocations versus public commitments, she exposes systemic underfunding of domestic violence prevention programs. The piece gained traction among policy makers after being cited in Senate committee hearings on Bill C-233.
Her analysis stands out for avoiding partisan simplifications, instead applying consistent scrutiny across political spectrums. This approach has made her work a trusted resource for NGOs developing evidence-based advocacy strategies.
This 2024 op-ed showcases Lakritz's deep understanding of Western Canadian political history. By comparing 1990s fiscal policies with contemporary economic challenges, she argues against nostalgic policy-making in energy transition debates. The article's impact was measurable - within weeks of publication, three provincial legislators referenced its warnings about infrastructure defunding in budget debates.
What makes this work exceptional is Lakritz's ability to connect archival research with current voter sentiment data, creating a multidimensional view of policy consequences.
Lakritz consistently elevates stories that demonstrate how international agreements impact local communities. Successful pitches should pair economic data with personal narratives, similar to her 2021 piece linking supply chain disruptions to small business closures in rural Alberta. Avoid abstract macroeconomic theories without concrete examples.
Her work frequently examines the space between legislative intent and real-world execution. PR professionals should focus on case studies that reveal systemic bottlenecks, particularly in social services or environmental regulations. The 2022 analysis of emergency response failures during BC floods exemplifies this approach.
While Lakritz addresses federal matters, she prioritizes Alberta/Saskatchewan angles. Effective pitches might examine how national healthcare reforms affect prairie province hospitals differently than eastern urban centers. Her 2020 series on interprovincial medical licensing barriers remains a model for this approach.
Lakritz often uses archival research to inform current policy analysis. PR teams should highlight historical precedents when discussing new legislation - for instance, how current energy transition challenges mirror 1970s oil crisis responses.
While critical of ineffective programs, Lakritz emphasizes successful community-led initiatives. Pitches should showcase innovative local solutions to national issues, particularly in Indigenous communities or immigrant services. Her 2019 feature on Calgary's refugee skills-matching pilot remains influential in policy circles.
While Lakritz maintains focus on substance over accolades, her career milestones include:
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Politics, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
