Lobbyists, think twice about perception of undue influence
We all try to influence other people. That’s part of being human. Some of us try to influence politicians. That’s part of democracy. Influence becomes unacceptable when it is “undue”: exerting pressure without transparency, equality, or fairness. Influence that involves deception, secrecy, or inducement is clearly out of bounds. Lobbying is a legitimate and important […]
Yep, everything still revolves around the prime minister and the PMO
ST. JOHN’S, NFLD.—Quick: does the Office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have too much power? How you answer might have a lot to do with your impressions of him and the Liberal government’s policies. It is a question with no definitive answer. The media and critics aren’t complaining nearly the way that they did with […]
Throwing fiscal restraint overboard no solution for British government
There’s been plenty of commentary about the causes of the United Kingdom’s unexpected election result. Conservative Party complacency, a flap about its manifesto, the youth vote, and a post-Brexit political realignment have all been blamed for reducing the Conservatives to a parliamentary minority and in turn contributing to political uncertainty in the face of upcoming […]
How 63 lobby groups landed meetings with the PM
Getting into the same room as the prime minister demands a lot of legwork, meetings with ministers, matching government language, and a little luck, according to consultants and insiders who say Justin Trudeau is leading his consultation-focused government by example. Since the October 2015 election, 63 groups filed 96 communication reports from meetings with Mr. Trudeau […]
Forest sector future strong: hinges on clean tech transformation, innovation
Not everyone thinks of innovation when they think of Canada’s forest products companies. But the federal government has fully recognized that the future of the forestry industry and its 230,000 workers depends on the success of its ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainable development in every area of its business. The importance of this transformation […]
The cities’ problem with CETA
POWELL RIVER, B.C.—The trouble with demonizing the leader of an unpopular government is that it gives the next leader a way too much slack. I remember writing a column years ago comparing Brian Mulroney with Paul Martin (who more or less ran Jean Chretien’s government). Who was more destructive to the public interest and progressive […]
Canada 150 incidents ‘wakeup call’ on progress not yet made on indigenous issues
Evident amid the hoopla of Canada 150 was a lack of celebration among many indigenous people, which a high-ranking First Nations chief and an academic both say should be seen as a “wakeup call.” There was the unexpected erection of a teepee on Parliament Hill, days before Canada Day, organized by an indigenous group from […]
Cannabis legalization: good intentions, but is it good policy?
The recently introduced legislation to legalize nonmedical use of cannabis follows reasonably closely the recommendations of the task force set up last year to advise government on the best way of doing it. But is it really good public policy? The intended goal of legalization is not a single problem to be solved or benefit […]
Pro-bono lobbying group grows as it fills ‘gap’ for nonprofits
Five years ago the Canadian Advocacy Network was just an idea shared over drinks between three Ottawa consultants, aware that a gap existed among nonprofits trying to enter—or missing entirely—from public policy discussions. “We had a sense that there was a need for this—that this was an area where there was a gap, but this […]
EBay uses NAFTA angle in lobbying for wider import-duty loophole
Officials with the online sales platform eBay are continuing their long-running lobbying effort with the Canadian government to raise the limit for which imported products are assessed duties and sales taxes, and say the upcoming NAFTA renegotiations provide the right opportunity to do this. The U.S. company—which has a Canadian division and some hired lobbyists […]
