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

Jeremy Bruce, a consultant at Summa Strategies, says that the upcoming U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum may also create an opportunity for that sector to gain advocacy traction on other priorities. U.S. president Donald Trump announced tariffs will be imposed on raw aluminum from Canada starting on Aug. 16. When a situation develops which the federal government cannot control, such as a trade war, it may be more inclined to show its goodwill towards affected sectors by addressing other advocacy requests, according to Bruce. Sarah Goldfeder, a principal at Earnscliffe Strategy, expects the trade war may also spur increased lobbying activity from other sectors, such as steel and agriculture.

The Toronto office of Counsel Public Affairs has expanded with two new consultants who most recently held senior roles within Ontario’s governing party. Rob Gilmour joins the firm as its vice-president of government relations for Ontario, after previously acting as the deputy executive director for the Progressive Conservative Caucus services. Jess Georgakopoulos is the firm’s new associate vice-president of communications and campaigns, after previously serving as director of strategic communications for the PC government.

World Vision Canada was the most active organization last week in terms of communication reports posted on the federal lobbyists’ registry. The charity, represented in-house by CEO Michael Messenger, posted nine communication reports between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9, including a report for contacting Minister of International Development Karina Gould on July 15. The charitable organization stated in a June 18 press release that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in its largest crisis response in its 70-year history.

Duff Conacher, the co-founder of Democracy Watch, appeared before the House ethics committee on Aug. 10 and called on its members to sponsor a bill for tougher lobbying rules. He recommended that all lobbying activity should be required to be registered, regardless of whether the lobbyists are paid or unpaid, or how much of their time is spent engaging with the government. Conacher said if such a bill were to be created, it could be ready for implementation by the fall. He also recommended a complete ban on designated public office holders receiving gifts from lobbyists, including sponsored travel.

In new registrations, WE Charity started a file on the federal lobbyists’ registry with its executive director Dalal Al-Waheidi, which was posted on Aug. 13. The file includes 65 communication reports dating back to January 2019. In a press release, WE Charity said the decision to register was made to ensure transparency and accountability. The reports show the charity contacted Minister of Diversity Bardish Chagger on April 17 and Minister of Small Business Mary Ng on April 7. Al-Waheidi will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Finance, Innovation, Infrastructure, the Privy Council Office, and MPs.

Nuvoola, an artificial intelligence (AI) firm based in Quebec, started its first file on July 29 with its president, Martin Renière, listed as the senior officer. The company has developed an AI technology for COVID-19 screenings at workplaces, which it would like to discuss with the federal government. Renière will communicate with the Public Service Commission of Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Service Canada.

Northpoint Life Sciences, a medical device company based in Toronto, started its first file on Aug. 13 with consultant Dafna Strauss of One Degree GR. The company is seeking funding opportunities from the federal government, as well as partnerships for developing medical devices, according to the registry. Northpoint has developed a respiratory monitoring device, which it argues on its website could be used for COVID-19 diagnostics in rural and remote communities. Strauss will communicate with Health, Innovation, and Indigenous Services Canada.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Aug. 14 at 9:00 a.m.

New registrations

Reactivations