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

Indigenous organizations are pushing politicians to turn promises about reconciliation into action after the Sept. 20 federal election. A renewed focus on Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples is having an effect on federal election policy platforms, organizations say. “If we don’t deal with these issues head-on now, then we’re going to find ourselves leaving this for the next generation to deal with,” said Lynne Groulx, the CEO of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC).

The election campaign paused many lobbying activities in the second half of August, contributing to the least active month in communication reports since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just 795 reports were reported for August, compared to 1,710 in July, 2021, and the all-time high of 3,584 in February, 2020. The August numbers were the lowest since the 395 reports filed in October, 2019.

In the most recent session of Parliament before the writ dropped on Aug. 15, David Pratt of David Pratt & Associates was the most active consultant in communication reports on the federal lobbyists’ registry, while Darryl Tempest of the Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) posted the highest number of in-house reports. The Lobby Monitor collated the top 100 most active consultants, and in-house lobbyists based on their number of communication reports submitted between the 2020 throne speech on Sept. 23, 2020, and the dissolution of the 43rd Parliament on Aug. 15, 2021.

In more recently filed communications, Bruce Power submitted seven of the 50 communication reports logged last week. Represented by its president and CEO, Michael Rencheck, the company operates the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Ontario. Prior to the election call, Bruce Power communicated on Aug. 2, 3 and 13 with Pam Damoff, who was then the parliamentary secretary to the Indigenous Services minister, and Amanda Woodley, who was a policy adviser to François-Philippe Champagne in his role as innovation minister, on Aug. 13. Bruce Power also communicated with Innovation deputy minister Simon Kennedy on Aug. 5. 

Paul S. Hillier and Alain Madgin have been named the new partners of Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs. Hillier, who previously served in the Canadian Armed Forces’ psychological operations division for four years, has led the firm’s risk communications practice since 2019, while Madgin joined Tactix as the Quebec managing principal in November, 2020. Meanwhile, Tactix co-owner Alan Young, who first joined the firm in 2001, will move to a senior associate role, according to a Sept. 17 press release. 

In new registrations, Kanata Clean Power and Climate Technologies Corp. started its first files on Sept. 10 with consultants Drew Fagan and Mark Resnick of McMillan Vantage Policy Group. According to its file, the company is interested in applying for funding through the Strategic Innovation Fund; participating in consultation on investment tax credits for carbon capture projects; and discussing Canada’s plan for greenhouse gas emission reductions. Fagan and Resnick will communicate with Finance, Innovation, and Environment, as well as with MPs.

Also joining the registry recently is the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), which started its first file on Sept. 6 with Will Adams, who is listed as a consultant for a numbered corporation. The Montreal, Que.-based group, which administers the federal government’s Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, is interested in discussing the fund and other programs for Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs. Adams will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Innovation, and MPs.

Increasing its presence on the Hill is Intact Financial Corporation, which added Allyson Grant and Garry Keller of StrategyCorp on Sept. 13. They join colleagues John Duffy and Andrew Steele, as well as Intact CEO Charles Brindamour. The insurance company is interested in discussing climate change adaptation related to extreme weather and the protection of Canadians from the impact of earthquakes. Grant and Keller will communicate with the PMO, Privy Council Office, Environment, Finance, Infrastructure, Innovation, Public Safety, and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada, as well as with MPs and senators.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Sept. 17 at 9:01 a.m. ET.

New registrations

Reactivations