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

Tourism industry representatives say that the government must address ongoing delays and other barriers in order to help businesses take full advantage of renewed demand for travel this summer. “There's a big demand for travel and we're seeing it everywhere,” said Marc Seguin, vice-president of policy and government affairs for the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). “But of course, there's a number of barriers and irritants that I think make travellers wonder and question their travelling this summer.” Organizations involved in the tourism industries have deployed a mix of traditional lobbying and new public relations methods to ensure that their messages are received.

Jordan Penic has brought his knowledge of all things energy to Sussex Strategy as the firm’s new director of energy government relations during what he describes as a “pivotal time.” Penic spent 12 years at the Independent Electricity System Operator (the Crown corporation administering the province’s electricity market) in engagement, communications, and government affairs roles. That followed time working as a staffer at Queen’s Park. Also new to Sussex is Brooke Crewson, who joined the company’s municipal practice as an associate early this month. Crewson also has experience in provincial politics, including as a regional adviser to Liberal premier Kathleen Wynne between July 2017 and June 2018. Prior to working for Wynne, Crewson worked in the office of now-former Liberal MPP Chris Ballard from July 2014 to July 2017, starting as a constituency assistant. “Working in any constituency office really helps you understand how provincial policies impact people’s daily lives,” she said. 

Last month set a new record for June communications posted to the federal lobbyists’ registry, with 2,552 reports submitted. That figure is the highest for June since at least 2009, which is the earliest that records are available online for that month. The environment, meanwhile, continued its streak as the most popular topic for lobbying, with 388 communication reports listing the subject last month. The environment has been the most popular topic in communications every month since February.  

In more recent communication reports, the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) posted 52 of the 1,887 reports submitted to the registry for the week of  July 11. Represented on the registry by CEO Mustafa Farooq, the NCCM is an advocacy organization for Canadian Muslims focusing on human rights, civil liberties, and anti-discrimination initiatives. All but one of the communications took place on June 6, when the council held a national advocacy day in Ottawa. The organization met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who tweeted that he “spoke about – and recommitted – to working together to combat Islamophobia and root out systemic discrimination.” The NCCM also met that day with Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland; Justice Minister David Lametti; Defence Minister Anita Anand; Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez; Diversity and Inclusion Minister Ahmed Hussen; Transport Minister Omar Alghabra; and Families Minister Karina Gould.

In new registrations, Canadian Premium Sand (CPS) has hired StrategyCorp consultants Alex Bernst, Martin Rust, and Lisa Samson to represent it in discussions with 10 government institutions, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Finance, Natural Resources, Environment, and Innovation, as well as MPs. The consultants registered on July 15. The Calgary, Alta.-based company owns a silica sand quarry in Manitoba, from which it plans to extract raw materials for a patterned solar glass manufacturing plant in Selkirk, Man. According to its registry file, CPS plans to discuss funding opportunities for solar panel technology and manufacturing, and inform “the federal government on the merits of solar panel technology and the benefits of Canadian manufacturing.” 

Also new to the registry is VPorts and Air Traffic Management Inc., which started its first file with CEO Fethi Chebil on June 29. VPorts is a Montreal, Que.-based company that plans to design and build “vertiports,” or airports for aircraft that take off and land vertically. According to its registry file, VPorts is seeking funding through Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s Regional Air Transportation Initiative, which provides financial support to regional businesses and airports directly contributing to regional air transport. The company is also interested in seeking support for the development of a vertiport operations control centre, and amendments to the Airport Traffic Regulations “regarding the compliance with provincial laws.” In addition to Innovation, Chebil plans to communicate with 13 other government institutions, including the PMO, Transport, Immigration, Employment, and the Canada Transportation Agency, as well as with MPs.

Boosting its representation on the Hill is the Collectif de la Société civile québécoise pour le COP15, which added COPTICOM consultants Hugo Séguin and Marine Schmitgen on July 18. The pair join their colleague, Leïla Copti, who first registered on July 8. The organization plans to hold events during the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15), due to be held in Montreal, Que. from Dec. 7 to Dec. 19. According to its French-language registry file, the collective is seeking financial support for event organization and communications prior to and during the summit, as well as funding to promote biodiversity issues. Copti, Séguin, and Schmitgen plan to communicate with Global Affairs and Environment.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on July 22 at 9:14 a.m. ET

New registrations

Reactivations