Here’s a look back at the news we covered this week:

Lobbyists working from home are settling into a reality that now includes reliance on personal computers and dealing with family and pets during video conferences. The Lobby Monitor spoke with several consultants to ask how they set up their home workspaces, and how they balance their personal and professional lives. Missing friends from work is one of the more common issues for consultants now that their offices have been closed due to COVID-19.

Even though offices are closed, lobbyists agree they are busier than ever coordinating online briefings, digital advocacy, and keeping up to date with COVID-19 announcements. Crestview Strategy is engaging with clients on multiple online platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Cisco Webex. The firm has also created a special section on its website specifically to provide updates on federal and provincial responses to the pandemic, and data on confirmed cases in Canada and around the world. Rob LeForte, a vice-president at Impact Public Affairs, said there has been an increased demand for the firm’s Push Politics platform, an online tool that co-ordinates thousands of emails to be sent to MPs and provincial representatives.

The University of British Columbia held lobby days in Ottawa on March 9 and 10, just before the parliamentary shutdown on March 13. The meetings that day were reflected in 28 communication reports posted by the university on the federal lobbyists’ registry between April 6 and April 13, which was more than what was posted by any other organization. The university representatives met with members from several House committees, including Liberal MP Sherry Romanado, chair of the industry committee; Conservative MP and health critic Matt Jeneroux, vice-chair of the health committee; and Conservative MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay, vice-chair of the environment committee.

In new registrations, Swenco, a safety footwear company in Waterloo, Ont., started its first file on the federal lobbyists’ registry seeking to partner with the federal government for the manufacture of N95 masks. The masks are designed to filter out 95 per cent of airborne particles, and have been in high demand since the COVID-19 pandemic. The file was started on April 10 with consultant Joanne Dobson of Summa Strategies. Dobson’s colleague Alex Maheu was added on April 13, followed by Jeremy Bruce on April 14. The three consultants will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office, Health, Innovation, Finance, Global Affairs Canada, MPs and senators.

IMV, a biopharmaceutical and clinical research company in Nova Scotia, started its first file on March 18 with its CEO, Frederic Ors, listed as the senior officer. The company is developing a COVID-19 vaccine, and is interested in pursuing federal funding for clinical studies, equipment, and the advancement of authorization with regulatory authorities, according to the file. Ors will communicate with Innovation and the National Research Council.

From the charitable sector, the Ontario Charitable Gaming Association (OCGA) started its first file on April 1 with consultant Bob Lopinski of Counsel Public Affairs. The association is interested in greater access to federal funding in support of charities hurt by a loss of revenue due to COVID-19, according to its file. Lopinski will communicate with the PMO, Innovation, Finance, senators and MPs.
 

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on April 17 at 9:00 a.m.
 

New registrations

Reactivations