Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba hire Brock to lobby feds to clarify import duties on TVs

Fasken Martineau DuMoulin’s Dan Brock lobbying the federal government to clarify Customs Act tariff 9948.

Opposition MPs say relationship between feds, First Nations at a ‘tipping point’

But despite the protests, Tom Flanagan says that aboriginal issues remain where they started before the Idle No More movement.

Oil, banking, mining top three lobbying issues in 2012: lobbying registry

Canada’s natural resources is expected to be worth $600-billion over the next decade.

Ritz most lobbied Cabinet minister in 2012: lobbying registry

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Energy Minister Joe Oliver, and Environment Minister Peter Kent top lobbied Cabinet ministers. Expect the same in 2013.

Cabinet Ministers' Meetings with Lobbyists, 2012

‘One hell of a battle coming’ on agriculture issues, warn MPs and stakeholders

Fuelled by international trade issues, federal legislative initiatives, and the current beef crisis in Canada, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz is the top-lobbied minister in Cabinet.

MPs need to address ‘black hole’ in sponsored travel, says NDP MP Angus

But MPs should also not be burdened with rules that force them to look over their shoulders every minute, say MPs.

Feds respond to Lobbying Act review, but don’t scrap controversial 20 per cent rule

‘That’s where the big backroom deals are,’ says NDP MP Charlie Angus.

Nexen registered lobbying over, action still happening behind scenes, say Ottawa watchers

Although the process is closed officially to lobbyists, they will still play a communications role in CNOOC’s $15-billion bid for Nexen.

Tory MP’s ‘piddly’ fundraiser donation conflict overblown, say lobbyists Capobianco, Powers

Meanwhile, mining and energy sectors hottest lobby issues last month, according to the Federal Lobbying Registry.

Lobbying czar should be able to fine lobbyists: House Ethics Committee report

Conservatives are ‘serious about moving forward’ to enact House committee’s recommendations on Lobbying Act, say opposition MPs.

Lobbyist Coates wants quarterly lobby reports, says it’s too competitive

Lobbying Commissioner Karen Shepherd also wants to be able to hand out fines, remove the 20 per cent rule, and list all lobbyists and DPHOs in monthly reports.

Lobbyists call for ‘a clear red line’ on lobbying rules and regulations, now

Critics also say Canada’s lobbying commissioner should have more power.

Lobbyists focus on budget, strategic operating review, and pipelines

U.S. President Barack Obama’s decision on Keystone XL Pipeline opens up more lobbying.

GRIC pushes for greater clarity in Lobbying Act, also wants to change industry’s image

There are some 5,000 registered lobbyists, but they say the rules still aren’t clear and they’re getting a bad rap.

Some 131 organizations, lobbyists registered to lobby feds on copyright

Time to deal with copyright issue ‘Canada’s intellectual property protection currently ranks behind Botswana’: lobbyist Geoff Norquay.

Make 20% rule for in-house lobbyists clearer, or cut it, experts say

Even the definition of lobbying should be clearer, as Parliament begins five-year review of Lobbying Act.

House Ethics Committee should consult widely on five-year review of Lobbying Act, urge lobbyists

Lobbyists say they’re ‘not evil’ and this time there needs to be a real dialogue between government and stakeholders.

Lobbying czar says lobbyists can be pundits, but critics still say she’s being ‘deliberately vague’

Lobbyists can’t be banned outright from participating on political panels, but more clarity is needed on the rules, say political players.

Lobbying czar Shepherd says lobbyists can be pundits, she’s not stopping them

But lobbyists say they want clarification on Charter Rights to free speech and their political activities.