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

Stakeholders should be prepared for the possibility of a federal election this year, but an election may not be as likely as some are anticipating, according to some lobbyists. Rob LeForte, a senior consultant at Summa Strategies told The Lobby Monitor that he considers the potential of an election occurring to be getting smaller every day. LeForte said he believes the NDP will likely be the ones “deciding whether or not the starting gun gets fired for an election” after the federal budget, and he doubts the Liberal government would propose measures that would be so unpopular with the New Democrats that they would vote against a budget.

National agricultural organizations are focusing on supporting their provincial memberships, which are currently communicating with their local governments about AgriStability, a program provided through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership that offers a financial safety net for farmers. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Ontario Minister of Agriculture Ernie Hardeman issued a joint-statement on Jan. 19 urging provincial and territorial agriculture ministers to support proposed changes to AgriStability, which include increasing the compensation rate from 70 per cent to 80 per cent of losses. Dave Carey, the vice-president of government and industry relations with the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), said the CCGA is not directly advocating in any provinces, but it is supporting its membership with advice and consistent messaging.

Ben Howe, a former executive and legislative assistant in the office of Liberal MP Neil Ellis, who is parliamentary secretary to the minister of Agriculture, has joined Impact Public Affairs as a senior consultant. Howe spent five years on the Hill advising Ellis on policy files and engaging with stakeholders. Since joining Impact, Howe has become attached as a consultant on registry files for Dying with Dignity Canada and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.

Nature Canada posted the highest number of communication reports last week, which included communications with four cabinet ministers that focused on the importance of climate and biodiversity in COVID-19 recovery efforts. The organization is a part of the Green Budget Coalition, an umbrella group of 25 environmentally-focused organizations that have united to advocate for environmental issues. In December, Nature Canada represented the coalition in communicating with Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan on Dec. 4, Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Dec. 16, Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson on Dec. 18, and then-Transport Minister Marc Garneau on Dec. 16.

In new registrations, the Walt Disney Company started a file on the federal lobbyists’ registry on Jan. 26 with consultant Justin Burrows of Geopolitics Group. The company is interested in discussing Bill C-10, which would provide the first major reforms to the Broadcasting Act since 1991, and Bill C-11, which is intended to provide Canadians with greater control over the data they produce while online. Burrows will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Justice, Innovation, Finance, the CRTC, Canadian Heritage, and with MPs.

The Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC) started its first file on Jan. 1 with its executive director Alex Freedman. The organization is also interested in discussing Bill C-10 with the federal government, specifically in ensuring the bill indicates that funding should be allocated to community radio stations, the registry shows. Freedman will communicate with Innovation, Immigration, Canadian Heritage and with the CRTC.

The Canadian Association of Exposition Management (CAEM) started its first file on Jan. 27 with consultant Jason Clark of Crestview Strategy. The CAEM is a national organization representing individuals involved in the production, management, and planning of trade and consumer shows, as well as similar events. The organization is interested in discussing possible financial support from the federal government to support trade and consumer shows, in response to the negative financial impact of the pandemic, the registry shows. Clark will communicate with the PMO, Innovation, Finance, Canadian Heritage, Employment and Social Development Canada, and Western Economic Diversification Canada.
 

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Jan. 29 at 9:05 a.m. ET

New registrations

Reactivations