Universities emerge as biggest lobbyists in August, according to registry
While students were enjoying their summer breaks last month, university administrators were busy lobbying the federal government on a wide range of issues, including science, aboriginal affairs, and immigration. The University of Alberta was the source of the most communication reports filed on the federal lobbyists registry in August with 25. Second was the University […]
‘This is not exactly the Pentagon Papers’: Lobbyists voice concern over ethics commissioner’s ruling on gifts
Ethics Commissioner Mary Dawson has ruled that a member of Canada’s telecommunications regulator violated conflict of interest rules by accepting flowers and chocolates from operators of a radio station on her birthday, in a decision that has drawn criticism from some lobbyists. Ms. Dawson delivered the verdict in a report published last week that concluded […]
Ex-PMO aide Bruce Carson’s conviction for illegal lobbying sheds light on disclosure rules
OTTAWA—The successful prosecution last week of Bruce Carson on illegal lobbying charges should further dispel confusion about what’s necessary to trigger reporting requirements under the federal Lobbying Act, according to Ottawa lawyer and lobbyist Scott Thurlow. Mr. Carson, a former top adviser to prime minister Stephen Harper, was found guilty last week of three counts of illegal […]
Glaring disconnect between economic growth trade, investment agreements
POWELL RIVER, B.C.—There is a glaring disconnect in the world between economic growth trade and investment agreements. At the same time that Canada and other countries are pushing hard for huge multinational deals—the TPP, CETA and the U.S.-EU deal, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)—all the evidence suggests that global trade is on a […]
Hottest lobbying issues this fall
As the House begins its fall session, heavy lobbying is about to start again. Looking at the top 10 topics in active registrations on the federal lobbyists’ registry, as of Sept. 15, these are likely to be among the topics most often discussed between lobbyists and public office holders: industry, international trade, environment, taxation and […]
It’s time for Trudeau to deliver on climate change
TORONTO—Last December, a giddy and boastful Canadian delegation, led by newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, flew to Paris for the global summit on climate change. Canada, Trudeau boasted, “will take on a new leadership role internationally,” telling the delegations from some 197 countries that “Canada is back, my good friends. We are here to […]
How the universities lobby got $1-billion-plus from the feds
The $900-million in federal funds doled out to universities last week was part of a research fund green-lit by a Conservative government looking for an “out-of-the-park” scientific success story, say some of the key players that lobbied for the fund’s creation. The story of that two-year lobbying campaign adds a wrinkle to the anti-science reputation […]
The world should be watching the Paralympics
OTTAWA—Back in the last century, I was minister responsible for sport. My first major sporting duty involved attending the 1996 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Atlanta, Georgia. The world flocked to the Olympics but when the Paralympics arrived, just about everybody left. I stayed around, and got the surprise of my life. The honorary chair […]
Liberal MPs set up 11 issue-based caucuses, four regionally based immigration caucuses
The federal Liberals may be leading in public opinion polls, but they’re not taking anything for granted. The Grits have in the last few months set up public policy issue-based caucuses in an effort to influence public policy and to keep on top of the key issues in their ridings. So far, they’ve created 11 caucuses based on the […]
Bains, MacAulay two most lobbied cabinet ministers during summer months
Despite a general slowdown in lobbying over the summer, Canada’s federal Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains was still a regular point of contact among government-relations professionals and easily the most lobbied minister during the summer months. Mr. Bains (Mississauga-Malton, Ont.) was mentioned in 18 communication reports for the period from July 1 and to the last […]
