July lobbying spikes 73 per cent over last year
The start of the summer didn’t bring the typical slowdown for government relations, with July reporting a 73 per cent rise in federal lobbying as the pandemic response continues apace. Last month, lobbyists filed 1,675 communications in the federal registry, compared to 971 interactions in July 2019—putting this year up 72.5 per cent. In the […]
Lobbyists eye ‘high stakes’ throne speech as opportunity for client interests in Liberal reset
The throne speech is a “high stakes” government relations opportunity for businesses and groups to get their interests on the agenda, say public affairs pros, as the Liberals offer what many are calling a reset and the first explicit outline of a pandemic recovery plan. How an organization or business positions itself and tells its […]
WE Charity highlights loopholes for ‘celebrity’ and secret lobbying, warn observers who call for long overdue review
Parliamentarians should reopen the Lobbying Act and adopt old recommendations to close loopholes that make secret lobbying possible, say observers and industry insiders, and address concerns that “celebrity” influencers can have an impact and get access with just a few calls and no requirement to report that activity. Removing the 20 per cent rule as […]
June lobbying a success with wage subsidy extension, groups say
Some associations are calling their June lobbying efforts a success, after the government agreed to a widespread push to extend the emergency wage subsidy program. The pandemic has necessitated fast-paced policy development and economic response, and companies report their government relations arms are busier than ever. Though June’s 2,002 recorded communications were down compared to […]
A look at rookie MP Sloan’s underdog leadership campaign
One of two social conservatives in the race to become the next Conservative Party leader, rookie Ontario MP Derek Sloan is widely viewed as an underdog—having picked up the fewest notable endorsements out of the four-person field and coming fourth in fundraising based on numbers reported so far. To Conservative Party member and former federal […]
Wernick’s warning of political violence reflects increasing polarization, say politicos, experts
In the wake of an armed man crashing his truck through Rideau Hall gates and threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, some are recalling the stark warning of political violence more than a year before from then-Privy Council Clerk Michael Wernick. And while the timing of the former top public servant raising his concerns in the […]
Lobby groups push feds to pivot to recovery phase, say more cash needed for key sectors
Associations are pivoting to recovery in their federal advocacy asks, with those among the most actively lobbying government in May pushing for flexibility on some of the government’s emergency measures and calling for more funding to protect at-risk industries. The busiest groups lobbying last month include members in the post-secondary education, oil, and forestry sector […]
Observers lament ‘sobering’ Torstar sale as new owners pledge to uphold ‘progressive nature’ of Canada’s largest newspaper
Amid ongoing turmoil within the Canadian news media landscape—problems more acute now with drastically declining advertising revenues caused by COVID-19—the impending sale of Canada’s largest daily newspaper to private owners is a “sobering moment,” says Liberal MP and former journalist Adam Vaughan. Some former journalists and MPs who spoke to The Hill Times said the deal […]
‘We’re all hurting’: culture and sports groups say they need added funds, emergency support extended
Opposition MPs and arts, sports, and cultural organizations are calling for more clarity on government support, warning the economic impact of the coronavirus on the sector’s survival will require longer-term planning and aid than other industries to address. The seasonal and events-focused nature of much of their revenue puts them at particular risk, several organizations […]
Environment, resource development agenda among April’s top-lobbied files
COVID-19 is offering important lessons for Canada’s approach to climate change and the need for green programs to be built into economic recovery, say some of the groups lobbying the ministers focused on these files and pushing them to the top of the list during the pandemic. Over the last two months, Natural Resources Minister […]
