Let’s not go back to the way we engaged with government pre-pandemic
A child-care consultation earlier this year simultaneously included stakeholders from Yellowknife, Winnipeg and Toronto. Late last year, 36 youth held 25 meetings with MPs across eight provinces and territories to talk about how COVID is impacting their health, employment, and communities. Gender equity advocates from across the country spoke with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland about […]
Lobbying commissioner’s investigations remain steady despite skyrocketing lobbying activity during pandemic
Skyrocketing lobbying levels during the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t significantly impacted the number of potential rule-breakers assessed by the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying (OCL), which has remained close to pre-pandemic levels, according to the lobbying commissioner. “Although the numbers of registration and monthly communication reports have increased, with respect to actual preliminary assessments and […]
Virtual lobbying during pandemic ‘not the same’ as in-person lobbying, despite major savings, say lobbyists
Lobbying organizations are looking forward to the day they can return to in-person lobbying events on Parliament Hill, despite having saved a bundle on transportation costs and venue rentals while meetings have been conducted virtually during the global pandemic. “It’s not the same. It just is not the same, especially when [meeting] with people you […]
Agriculture, health, and innovation ministers lead in record-breaking June for lobbying activity
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau was the most lobbied federal minister in June, owing to communications with organizations across the agriculture sector during a busy month that set a new record for lobbying activity. Total communication reports filed last month reached 2,408, exceeding the total for any previous June, based on online records dating back to […]
Vaccine distribution and economic recovery projections favour Liberals in August-October election window, say lobbyists
The iron is hot for the Liberals to try to secure a majority government by calling for an election this fall, while the Conservatives would benefit more if Canadians don’t go to the polls until 2023, according to some federal lobbyists. “I think it would be political malpractice if [the Liberals] didn’t go to the […]
Record-breaking lobbying in June as election buzz, end of sitting drive activity
Last month was a record-breaking June for lobbying activity as the historically busy period held the added interest—and pressure—of pre-election rumours and a big budget with programs still being rolled out, say consultants and former strategists. Lobbyists filed 2,398 communication reports in the federal registry in June (as of July 23), up nine per cent […]
OCL staff eye summer reprieve, as lobbying activity continues to reach new heights
Federal Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger is wondering how much reprieve her staff will get over the summer, considering the precedent set by the record-breaking lobbying activity from that season during the pandemic last year. “The numbers were much higher [in 2020] than when you compare to the previous summers,” said Ms. Bélanger. “In other words, […]
Vaping group tops April outreach in record-breaking month for lobbying
Health Canada’s regulatory plan proposing to restrict flavoured vaping products that appeal to youth, released last month, helped make it the busiest April on record for lobbying. The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) reached out en masse to MPs, filing 258 communication reports as executive director Darryl Tempest attempted to secure one-on-one meetings with MPs to […]
Democracy Watch says it will launch legal action to force five-year review of Lobbying Act, four years overdue
Democracy Watch says it will file a Federal Court case soon to pressure the Liberal government to move forward with a review of the Lobbying Act, which is now four years overdue. “Reviews every five years are required in several federal laws. It sets a bad precedent to allow Parliament to ignore that law. Parliament doesn’t […]
Liberals’ fiscal blueprint reflects pre-budget lobbying push, but gaps remain, say business groups
Business groups spent the majority of their March advocacy efforts focused on the April budget, lobbying that they say was successful in getting immediate concerns addressed to extend pandemic reliefs, though gaps still remain. The “vast majority” of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s 24 meetings were focused on the budget to push for pandemic-relief measures […]
