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

The Lobby Monitor spent some time digging into the work histories and biographies of all 338 MPs to understand which policy issues are nearest and dearest to each one. The result is a comprehensive spreadsheet outlining 15 different policy areas and the interested MPs to help lobbyists know which politicians are the best targets for meetings. 

Contact with MPs and their staffers made up more than a third of all communications reported by lobbyists in March, with the most active organizations holding lobby days ahead of the 2022 federal budget. The House of Commons was the most lobbied government institution last month, with 1,086 of the 3,007 communication reports targeting either MPs or their staff. Mortgage Professionals Canada, meanwhile, was the most active organization, posting 67 reports.

In more recent communications, the Canadian Airports Council posted 38 of the 2,190 reports submitted to the registry last week. The council represents more than 100 Canadian airports, which account for most of the country’s domestic and international passenger travel. It is represented on the registry by interim president Monette Pasher and Proof Strategies consultants Greg Maceachern, Cameron Penner, and Josh Zanin. The council communicated with Transport Minister Omar Alghabra; Marie-France Lalonde, parliamentary secretary to Immigration Minister Sean Fraser; Conservative transport critic Melissa Lantsman; NDP transport critic Taylor Bachrach; and Hendrik Brakel, director of policy and parliamentary affairs to interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen.

In new registrations, STAS started its first file on April 14 with consultant Yan Plante of TACT. The Chicoutimi, Que.-based company develops, manufactures and distributes processing equipment for the aluminum industry. According to its French-language registry file, STAS is interested in discussing the impact of economic sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of the country’s invasion of Ukraine. STAS will seek financial support to compensate for the company’s losses incurred as a result of the sanctions, according to the file, as well as federal support to diversify the company’s markets. Plante plans to communicate with 10 government institutions, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Global Affairs, Finance, and Innovation, as well as MPs.

Freight shipping and logistics company Lynden Transport has also joined the registry recently, starting its first file on April 9 with Jordan O’Brien, a partner at the Fredericton-based consulting firm Porter O’Brien. The Seattle, Wash.-based Lynden Transport provides road, air, and sea transportation services in Western Canada and Alaska. According to its registry file, Lynden is interested in discussing in-transit shipments between the contiguous United States and Alaska via Canada. O’Brien plans to communicate with nine government institutions, including the PMO, Global Affairs, Finance, Innovation, and the Canada Border Services Agency.

Apparel company Knix started its first file on April 12 with founder and CEO Joanna Griffiths. The company, which sells bras, activewear, and leak-proof underwear, describes its products on its website as “designed to make you feel more comfortable in your own skin.” According to its registry file, Griffiths is interested in discussing the federal government’s menstrual equity fund.  Griffiths plans to communicate with Women and Gender Equality and Indigenous Services.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on April 18 at 9:05 a.m. ET

New registrations

Reactivations