Here’s the news we covered this week:

As 2023 comes to an end, The Lobby Monitor looks back at some of the year’s biggest shifts in the lobbying industry. The year saw the launch of new advocacy firms such as KAN Strategies and NorthStar Public Affairs. Other companies, including New West Public Affairs and Counsel Public Affairs, expanded through the opening of regional offices, introducing new services and building new teams.

In monthly communications, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Canadian Canola Growers Association, and Canadian Produce Marketing Association were November’s most active lobbyists thanks to their advocacy days on Parliament Hill. The month saw a total of 4,320 reports submitted to the federal lobbyists’ registry. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities brought municipal leaders from across Canada to the Hill to discuss the challenges their communities are facing, with a focus on housing affordability.

In the final On Queen Street of the year, The Lobby Monitor interviewed Vesna Sertić, a former staffer to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, about her new role as a senior consultant at Santis Health. Sertić said her job will have her assisting clients with navigating upcoming changes to Alberta Health Services. “Health care is an issue nationwide,” said Sertić. “I think with this reform, there are a lot of opportunities.”

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities was also the most active organization for the week of Dec. 11, as its Ottawa advocacy week led it to submit 98 communications. The organization, represented on the registry by its CEO Carole Saab, wants to see improved tools and investments from the federal government to address challenges that municipalities are facing. The federation is a national advocacy organization representing municipalities across the country on various key issues.

In this week’s registrations, AirBoss of America Corporation is joining the federal lobbyists’ registry for the first time as it is seeking discussions with government officials about the procurement of supplies and equipment for Ukraine. Sussex Strategy Group’s Devin McCarthy is representing the company. AirBoss Defence Group, the defence branch of AirBoss, offers products such as personal protective equipment, respiratory protection, and armored mine detection vehicles.

Another organization joining the federal registry for the first time is the Council for a Secure Canada, represented by its CEO Sheryl Saperia. The council will seek out discussions with MPs on two specific issues as outlined in its registry file: whether the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other groups should be designated as terrorist organizations; and the importance of Bill C-353, Foreign Hostage Takers Accountability Act, which was introduced by Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman. Secure Canada is an organization that was founded to combat terrorism, extremism, and related threats by advocating for laws, public policies, and alliances that strengthen Canada’s national security and democracy.

In new registrations, Catherine Guillemart has registered to represent Airbus Defence and Space Canada Inc. as its new head of public affairs. The company will advocate for the need to develop and fund a Canadian space strategy, according to Guillemart’s registry file. She will also engage government officials to seek out contract opportunities for Airbus to procure aircraft, satellite communication systems, and intelligence and cybersecurity solutions. Airbus Defence and Space, a division of European multinational company Airbus SE, focuses on the manufacturing of defence and aerospace products.

Dear readers, today is the final day of publishing for The Lobby Monitor in 2023. We will return with features and news about the industry on Jan. 3, 2024. Until then, happy holidays and thank you for reading! 

New Registry

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Dec. 22 at 8:45 a.m. ET.

New Registration

Reactivation