Senate lobbying dips amid pandemic, but lobbyists say it’s a temporary blip
After an explosive uptick in lobbying at the Senate level during the last Parliament, advocacy has started to trend downward, a temporary blip, say lobbyists, with the pandemic diverting the two Chambers’ focus away from policy issues unrelated to the new coronavirus. Since January, the Senate has racked up some 468 communication reports, compared to […]
Three weeks to deadline, gridlocked Finance Committee’s pre-budget study in doubt
Locked in an impasse since the House of Commons’ return, the Finance Committee has yet to begin its pre-budget consultations and the clock is running out for it to submit a report with recommendations to Parliament. The Standing Orders dictate that the Finance Committee must table its report on the government’s budgetary policy no later […]
COVID-19 containment, economic recovery expected to drive fall lobbying
A return to Parliament means renewed lobbying efforts, and this fall session will likely see those efforts focused on trying to shape the Liberal government’s plans to contain COVID-19, push plans for economic recovery and the social programs that underpin them, and get progress on the Liberal climate change agenda. Sheamus Murphy, vice-president of federal […]
‘Diplomat’ Deltell’s promotion could lead to closer co-operation in Parliament as new Tory House team spotlights Quebec, party unity, say insiders
With new Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole having assembled his House leadership team and front bench, a former Conservative House leader says Gérard Deltell’s talents are finally being fully utilized as the new one, as the new team seeks to unite the party and look towards making gains in Quebec. A former House leader for the […]
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 […]
