Mark Allan Marissen (born 1966 in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian political strategist and principal of Burrard Strategy Inc.,[1] a communications company he founded in 1998. Marissen is also a senior advisor to McMillan Vantage Policy Group, affiliated with McMillan LLP, a Canadian business law firm.[2]
Marissen graduated from Carleton University with a bachelor's degree in political science, and also attended Simon Fraser University. Marissen resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, and has one child (Hamish Marissen-Clark) by his ex-wife, the 35th British Columbia Premier Christy Clark.[3] Marissen's older brother is professor of music Michael Marissen.[4]
Politics
Following Stephane Dion's resignation, Marissen supported Michael Ignatieff for Liberal Party leader.[5] Ignatieff was confirmed as Leader at a national convention in Vancouver in late April 2009. In the most recent federal Liberal leadership contest, Marissen was campaign manager for George Takach for Liberal Party leader.[6] After Takach withdrew from the contest, Marissen joined him in supporting Justin Trudeau.[citation needed]
In 2017-2018, Marissen served as strategist for Michael Lee's campaign for the leadership of the BC Liberal Party,[7] where Lee was 30 points short from being on the final ballot.[8]
Marissen was a candidate for mayor of Vancouver in the 2022 election, nominated by Progress Vancouver.[9] He placed fourth with 3.47% of the vote. In July 2023, he and all other Progress Vancouver candidates were disqualified from running in a local election until after the 2026 general local elections for failing to meet campaign financing disclosure requirements.[10]
