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

Panellists at a Canadian Chamber of Commerce webinar say cybersecurity, innovation, and consistency on public health messaging are areas businesses will be pushing for governments to improve as a post-pandemic “new normal” begins to unfold. The webinar focused on what post-pandemic operations for businesses would look like and lessons learned since March 2020. For panellist Michelle George, the chief engineer and a vice-president at Enbridge Inc., the growth in the use of technology during the pandemic meant that governments and businesses needed to co-operate on stronger cybersecurity measures.

Similar co-operation between the public and private sectors is required to alleviate housing affordability challenges in Canada, according to panellists at a Canadian Club of Ottawa webinar. Speakers from the Canadian Urban Institute, Real Estate Association of Ontario, and the Canadian Homebuilders Association discussed the mechanisms governments and the industry can use to address  supply and demand challenges as real estate prices continue to rise across the country. The webinar heard that the federal government and new housing minister Ahmed Hussen can use taxation and funding conditions to alleviate some housing pressures, but any initiatives would need to be coupled with a national rethink on the concept of the Canadian home.

Mental health advocates are welcoming the first federal appointment of a minister of mental health. Carolyn Bennett was named Canada’s first minister of mental health and addictions and an associate minister of health on Oct. 26, in a move that Lori Spadorcia from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health said “signaled that this government was going to put a priority focus on mental health and addictions in this country.” (This story was also published in Hill Times Research, a sister publication to The Lobby Monitor which exclusively covers federal health policy.)

Raytheon International filed five of the 55 communication reports submitted last week. Represented on the registry by consultant David Pratt of David Pratt & Associates, the aerospace and defence company’s Canadian interests include the operation and maintenance of the joint U.S.-Canada North Warning System, an early-warning radar system in the North American Arctic. All five of the communications Raytheon posted last week were with Mary-Rose Brown, a senior policy adviser to Freeland. The communications took place between July 8 and July 28.

In new registrations, E3 Metals Corp started its first file on Oct. 25 with Tim Moro of Hill+Knowlton Strategies. The Calgary, Alta.-based company plans to produce battery-quality lithium products from three resource extraction areas in Alberta. According to its file, E3 is interested in discussing Canada’s lithium resources, the development of the domestic industry and supply chain, and “insights to support domestic policy objectives and international agreements on critical minerals and climate change.” Moro plans to communicate with 22 government bodies, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Finance, Natural Resources, Environment, and Global Affairs, as well as with MPs and senators.

Strengthening its representation on the Hill recently is ONE Global, which added consultants Duncan Rayner and Kristina Proulx of Temple Scott Associates on Oct. 29. The pair join Stuart Hickox, the director of the global organization’s Canadian branch, on the file. Also known as the ONE Campaign, the non-profit organization describes itself on its website as one that is campaigning to end extreme poverty and preventable disease by 2030, with a focus on Africa. According to its registry files, Rayner and Proulx will arrange meetings with government officials to advocate that Africa remain a focus of Canada’s international development policy. Rayner and Proulx plan to communicate with 13 government bodies, including the PMO, Finance, Global Affairs, Immigration, and Health, as well as with MPs and senators.

Returning to the registry this week is Medallion Milk Co., which started new files with Kevin Mason and Pierre Cyr of Fleishman Hillard Highroad on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 respectively. Cyr had previously been attached to Medallion’s registry file, but that file closed on March 9. The Winnipeg-based company produces powdered milk products. According to its file, the company is seeking federal procurement opportunities. Mason and Cyr plan to communicate with Health, Agriculture, National Defence, Public Services and Procurement, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Correctional Service of Canada, as well as with MPs.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Nov. 5 at 9:01 a.m. ET

New registrations

Reactivations