Lobbyists increasingly target Senate as Liberals make final legislative push
With all eyes turned to the Upper Chamber as the government tries to stickhandle its final pieces of legislation through Parliament, lobbyists also increased their attention to the Senate this spring. In the first four months of 2019, the volume of lobbyists targeting the Senate has increased by nearly one-third over the same time period […]
Lobbyists seek clarity after watchdog warns political statements risk contravening code
New guidance for lobbyists around expressing their personal political views has some questioning whether it encroaches on their rights to free expression, and calling for clarity from the sector watchdog that put forward the advice. Others say the new warning is good for public trust and a healthy exercise for lobbyists to consider. On April […]
Lobbying czar has ‘concerns’ for her office’s budget, warns court decision could widen workload
Federal lobbying commissioner Nancy Bélanger says she has “concerns” about her office’s budget, which hasn’t changed in 14 years—especially if a recent court decision that broadens Canada’s lobbying law is upheld. She appeared before a committee last week to discuss this year’s main spending estimates, which sets out a $4.8-million budget for her office of […]
Federal laws on toxic chemicals not serving consumers
Six years ago, I started Beautycounter, a skincare and cosmetics brand, because I learned that the personal-care industry was largely unregulated. As a mother and consumer, I wanted to ensure that the products I was putting on myself and my children were safe. Beautycounter pledges to do things differently by formulating skin-care and cosmetic products […]
New agriculture minister Bibeau most lobbied in first month on the job
In her first month as Agriculture Minister, Marie-Claude Bibeau was the most lobbied in cabinet, according to March filings in the federal lobbying registry. In meetings spread throughout the month, she spoke to 17 different groups and was mentioned in 19 reports. It continues the trend of Ms. Bibeau (Compton-Stanstead, Que.) meeting with more organizations […]
‘Worrying’ transparency gap in sponsored travel, say critics after lobbying czar report
Canada’s reporting system for sponsored parliamentary travel creates a “gap in transparency,” making it difficult to know whether lobbying happened on the trips, or afterwards, according to a new report from Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger. Her office launched an investigation into 19 corporations and organizations that paid for 334 MP and Senator trips between 2009 […]
If businesses want to stop being seen as the enemy, they need to up their advocacy game
OTTAWA—Last week, The Globe and Mail brought to life the story of a number of oil industry leaders who had met in Alberta with Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer and senior Conservative activists. According to the reportage, the purpose of the meeting was to discuss how the Conservatives and some in the oil sector might go […]
A nice day for a Green wedding: Elizabeth May ties the knot on Earth Day
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May wed John Kidder over the holiday weekend in Victoria, B.C. Ms. May, a first-time bride, met Mr. Kidder when he ran as a Green Party candidate in the 2013 B.C. provincial election and they soon became friends. Following the Green Party convention last September, the two became romantically involved. The […]
How Senate can work across party lines to stop the marketing of junk food to children
The crops grown by Canadian farmers and the livestock they raise are of the highest quality. In many cases, however, when these healthy foods are industrially processed, harmful amounts of salt, sugar, and saturated fat are added. Consumption of excessive quantities of these nutrients of concern are known to contribute to high blood pressure, cardiovascular […]
When making transport policy, don’t forget how it affects company vehicles
From changing environmental and transportation policies to the intense NAFTA renegotiation, the past few years have been a roller-coaster ride for the auto industry and fleet managers. The federal government is in the process of developing some very important policies for the ever-evolving transportation sector. Last year, Transport Canada released its Transportation 2030 strategy, which […]
