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

The “buy American” mentality of U.S. president-elect Joe Biden may be a concern for Canadian industries doing business south of the border, although the trade environment will likely be smoother, according to some lobbyists. Gordon Taylor Lee, a managing partner at National Public Relations, told the Lobby Monitor by email that the weeks leading up to Biden’s inauguration on Jan. 20 will be a “critical homework period” for the Canadian business sector. Monique Smith, a senior counsel with Global Public Affairs focusing on Canada-U.S. relations, said that a Biden presidency is likely to be “less erratic on the international trade front.”

The Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying (OCL) has opened consultations to discuss possible changes to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct. Ryan Eickmeier, president of the Public Affairs Association of Canada (PAAC), said that rule six of the Code, which relates to conflicts of interest, may be targeted for modification. The definition of “real or perceived” conflicts of interest can be difficult to nail down, he said. The public consultations will end on Dec. 11.

The election of Joe Biden as the 46th U.S. president may provide an opportunity for Canada’s green energy sector, but to what extent will depend on whether the Democrats or Republicans take control of the Senate, according to some GR professionals. A Republican-controlled Senate would put “significant restraint” on Biden, according to Will Stewart, the senior vice-president and lead of the energy and industrials practice at Hill+Knowlton Strategies. In contrast, Biden will likely be able to implement green policies more quickly, said Stewart.

The Breakfast Club of Canada (BCC) submitted 17 communication reports last week, of which six listed “budget” as the subject of discussion. The BCC is advocating for the federal government to move forward on a commitment in the March 2019 federal budget to create a national school food program. To discuss the budget, the BCC contacted Jacques Hébert, director of parliamentary affairs in the Senate, on Oct. 21 and Oct. 26. The organization also contacted Tyler Meredith, director of economic strategy and planning for Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, on Oct. 6.

In new registrations, PlantEXT, a pharmaceutical research company based in Toronto, started its first file on Nov. 6 with consultants Andre Albinati, Charles Bird and Craig Robinson of Earnscliffe Strategy. The company is pursuing financial support to develop potential vaccines and therapeutic candidates for COVID-19, the registry shows. PlantEXT is funding research by the Agriculture Research Organization in Israel intended to develop cannabis-based pharmaceutical products to treat lung inflammation related to COVID-19. The Earnscliffe consultants will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Finance, Innovation, Health, the National Research Council, and Public Services and Procurement Canada.

The Canadian Antimicrobial Innovation Coalition (CAIC) started its first file on Oct. 29 with consultant Danielle Peters of Magnet Strategy Group. The CAIC is interested in discussing antimicrobial resistance, which it refers to in its registry file as a growing health threat. Peters will communicate with Health, Finance, Innovation, the Public Health Agency of Canada and with MPs.

Supermarket chain Whole Foods Market started a file on Nov. 9 with consultant Daniel Moulton of Crestview Strategy. The organization is interested in discussing program opportunities that support sustainable agriculture, as well as the company’s role in the Canadian “food retail landscape,” according to the file. Whole Food Market sparked a controversy on Nov. 6 when it was reported in the media that the company was prohibiting its employees from wearing poppies. Following a backlash from Canadian politicians, Whole Foods reversed the poppy ban that same day. Moulton will communicate with the PMO, Veterans Affairs Canada, Finance, Innovation, Environment, and with MPs.
 

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Nov. 13 at 9:15 a.m.

New registrations

Reactivations