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

Though the possibility of a fall election is still a rumour at this point, health advocacy organizations aren’t waiting to prepare for the campaign. “I would say we’re not just preparing ourselves, we are prepared for the election in 2021,” said Paul-Émile Cloutier, president and CEO of HealthCareCAN. From the development of messaging to training members for discussions with candidates, Hill Times Research spoke to organizations such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Nurses Association, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society about their plans for a campaign that has been anticipated for as early as next week. (Hill Times Research is a sister publication to The Lobby Monitor, which exclusively covers federal health policy.) 

Alison German has joined Earnscliffe Strategy Group as a principal. With more than 20 years of experience in government and public affairs, German isn’t someone who can be boxed into a single category. “What I bring [to Earnscliffe] is not strict government relations or pure communications; I’m somebody who integrates all of that,” she said. “[My role is] putting together integrated campaigns and initiatives to help companies or sectors meet their business objectives.” A former vice-president at Innovative Medicines Canada, Export Development Canada and Global Public Affairs, German brings years of in-house and third-party consulting experience in the telecommunications, transportation, forestry, finance and pharmaceutical sectors.

Mitacs Inc., a not-for-profit national research organization, contributed four of the 84 communication reports last week. Represented on the registry by John Hepburn, its CEO and science director, Mitacs is interested in discussing its recent activities after receiving $708 million for learning placements in the 2021 federal budget. The reports show contact with Innovation, Science and Economic Development deputy minister Simon Kennedy on June 11, and Canadian Institutes of Health Research president Michael Strong on June 1. The organization also communicated with National Research Council (NRC) vice-president David Lisk on June 9, and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council vice-president Marc Fortin on June 22.

In new registrations, Dent-X started its first file on Aug. 5 with Ron Gersh of TheCCSGroup. A digital radiology company that transitioned to face shield and mask production during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dent-X is interested in discussing government procurement of its personal protective equipment products. Gersh will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Indigenous Services, and Public Services and Procurement. 

Another company new to the registry is AV Gauge and Fixture Inc., which opened its first file on Aug. 2 with Jim Kourtis of Nomisma Consulting Group. The company builds and repairs fixtures, automation equipment and other products for the automotive industry in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. According to its file, Kourtis will seek to help the company receive funding from the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program . Kourtis will communicate with NRC.

Basketball Montréal opened its first file on Aug. 1 with Daniel Perry and Adam Yahn of Summa Strategies. The not-for-profit organization wants to work with the federal government to establish guidelines that will allow it to hold the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3x3 World Tour in Montreal, Que. Perry and Yahn will communicate with the PMO, Privy Council Office, Global Affairs, Health, Immigration, Heritage, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and Public Safety, as well as MPs.

Returning to the registry recently is the Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN), represented by Kristina Proulx of Temple Scott Associates. The association has tasked Proulx with discussing its 2022 pre-budget submission with government officials, and assisting with the preparation of its 2021 lobby day. Proulx will communicate with the PMO, Health, Finance, Innovation, and Public Services and Procurement, as well as MPs and Senators.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Aug. 6 at 9:16 a.m. ET

New registrations

Reactivations