Here’s a rundown of the news we covered this week:

The federal ethics office announced it has suspended its investigation into former Liberal MP Raj Grewal, following an announcement by the RCMP on Sept. 11 that Grewal is facing criminal charges. The ethics office began investigating Grewal in 2018 for possible contraventions of the Conflict of Interest Code when it came to light that Grewal’s office had invited Yusuf Yenilmez, CEO of Zgemi Inc., to receptions in India attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The RCMP stated in a press release this month that they began an investigation into Grewal when they were alerted to “suspicious transactions” involving Grewal during his time in office. The Conflict of Interest Code requires a suspension of an inquiry if a charge has been laid with respect to the act or omission under investigation. Toronto law firm Stockwoods, which is representing Grewal, said in an email to The Lobby Monitor that Grewal “adamantly denies these allegations,” and is looking forward to clearing his name in court.

Economic development was the most popular subject matter discussed in federal lobbying in August, appearing in 268 communication reports. That subject also dominated in May, June and July. The most active lobbying organization in August was Precision Biomonitoring, a Guelph, Ont.-based company that tests plant and animal DNA for environmental monitoring. It is represented on the registry by consultants Yash Dogra and Tiéoulé Traoré of National Public Relations, and posted 29 communication reports last month, all on the subject of health. The most active organization in August that filed communication reports on the subject of economic development was Universities Canada. The organization, active on the registry with its president, Paul Davidson, filed 21 communication reports last month, of which four listed economic development for discussion.

During the pandemic, some lobbyists have managed to meet with clients and public office holders for drinks on restaurant patios, but that may change when the colder weather arrives. Meredith Logan of Summa Strategies, and Kyle Larkin director of public affairs at Impact Public Affairs, have both gone out for drinks with clients or played golf with clients. Many restaurants in Canada are purchasing patio heaters in an attempt to extend outdoor dining services as long as possible.

The Canadian Federation of Apartment Associations (CFAA), which represents the owners and managers of approximately one million residential suites in Canada, posted 18 communication reports between Sept. 11 and Sept. 13. The organization contacted 11 MPs between Aug. 24 and Sept. 11, including Conservative leader Erin O’Toole on Sept. 1 and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh on Aug. 31. The CFAA is represented on the registry by consultant Robert McCreight of the Capital Hill Group, consultant Len Farber of Farber Consult, and lawyer John Dickie of Dickie & Lyman Lawyers.

In new registrations, Kontrol Energy Corp., based in Ontario, started its first file on Sept. 11 with consultant Paul Tye of Sussex Strategy Group. The company has developed a wall-mounted device intended to detect COVID-19 in the air, which it suggests could be used in classrooms, retirement homes and hospitals. Tye will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Innovation, Health, Export Development Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada and with MPs.

Black Arcs started its first file on Sept. 8 with consultant Rob LeForte of Impact Public Affairs. The company is interested in discussing its “citisketch” software tool, which it argues could support the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the registry. LeForte will communicate with the PMO, Health, Infrastructure, Innovation, Environment, Transport, Employment and Social Development Canada, and with MPs.

Movie Theatre Association of Canada started its first file on Sept. 15 consultant Sean Casey of Global Public Affairs to discuss possible changes to the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program. CECRA is a federal program to provide rent relief for small businesses experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic. The registry file does not specify what changes are to be discussed. Casey will communicate with the PMO, Innovation, Finance, Canadian Heritage and with MPs.
 

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Sept. 18 at 9:30 a.m.

New registrations

Reactivations