Here’s the news we covered this week:

We spoke with Liberal MP John Aldag and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment’s , Dr. Samantha Green, who have teamed up on an e-petition calling for an end to fossil fuel ads. Petition E-4469 is “the first step in having a conversation with Canadians. I would say we're still, in many ways, addicted to our fossil fuels … [but] people are talking about climate change, and they're starting to say, ‘we want to see action, we cannot continue just talking about these things,’” said Aldag, who is chair of the House natural resources committee. 

The Lobby Monitor reviewed communication reports on the federal lobbyists’ registry from the first quarter of 2023 to find the themes of innovation, natural resources and environment running through the most popular recipients and subjects of lobbying. “Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) is a perennial number one; business is always looking to engage the industry departments on any host of issues that they may face,” said Sheamus Murphy, federal practice lead at Counsel Public Affairs, about the fact that ISED was the most in-demand institution for lobbyists’ efforts during the quarter. “But I think what's interesting is when you see Environment and Natural Resources in the mix right there with them, it's very clear to me that what you're seeing is the clean economy transition, that is underway [and] really taking root.”

After 7 years of working on files across a variety of industries at Temple Scott Associates, Kristina Farrell is looking to focus on the agri-food sector in her new full-time role as CEO for Food and Beverage Canada (FBC). “I've really enjoyed working on several different client files [and] being able to work across sectors on different policy issues,” Farrell told The Lobby Monitor in a phone interview on June 12. “But I wanted to be able to dig into just one [area] and be able to serve the needs of one association versus a variety of clients.”

Conversations about bills related to carbon tax and supply management played a role in the National Cattle Feeders’ Association (NCFA) submitting the highest number of communication reports for the week of June 5. The NCFA registered 24 of the 313 reports that were posted on the federal lobbyists’ registry last week.

Wealthsimple Investments Inc. has joined the federal lobbyists’ registry for the first time to advocate for the implementation of open banking. CEO Michael Katchen is the responsible officer listed on the digital investing company’s registry file.

Also joining the registry for the first time is Celiac Canada, which is represented by executive director Melissa Secord. The file states that Celiac Canada wants the federal government to amend the Income Tax Act to allow Canadians affected by celiac disease to claim the excess cost of gluten-free products (when compared to their gluten-containing equivalents) as a medical expense under the act.

In new registrations, Shakepay Inc.’s CEO and co-founder Jean Amiouny has joined the registry to hold discussions with MPs and federal financial regulators on cryptocurrency and digital assets. 

New Registry

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on June 16 at 9:19 a.m. ET.

New Registrations

Reactivations