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

The Government Relations Institute of Canada’s (GRIC) first industry survey of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) shows that the sector is interested in better reflecting the wider community, but that more concrete action is needed, according to a GRIC board member. “My biggest takeaway from the survey results overall is that we’re starting to see some progress, but there’s still much more work to do,” said Alana Baker, a GRIC board member and chair of the future of government relations committee. GRIC commissioned Abacus Data to conduct a survey of government relations and advocacy professionals between April 19 and May 3.

The Canadian Housing and Renewal Association is hopeful that a renewed political focus on affordability will translate into action on Canadian housing policy. CHRA held its first in-person lobby day in two years on Sept. 27. The association’s strategy for the “Housing on the Hill” day was a two-pronged approach, focusing on a 27-recommendation policy blueprint and the use of personal testimony of housing providers in meetings with MPs. “Affordability is top of mind for people coming from every walk of life. People are feeling like they're falling behind, they’re not getting a fair deal,” said the CHRA’s Jacob Gorenkoff. At the core of that affordability issue is housing.”

After running communications for Jean Charest’s Conservative leadership campaign, Michelle Coates Mather has returned to government relations with her own business. Mather launched Presence+Influence in January, offering government relations, corporate communications, and media and leadership skills training. Soon after starting the business, however, she was asked to join the Charest leadership campaign as the director of communications.  The nature and tone of that campaign, Mather said, included lessons about public affairs more generally. “Businesses, companies, decision-makers, and policy-makers: we're all operating in a very polarizing political environment right now,” she said.

The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) posted 10 of the 111 communication reports submitted to the federal lobbyists’ registry last week. The public transit industry association is represented by president and CEO Marco D’Angelo, as well as Impact Public Affairs consultant Dylan Hellwig. All of CUTA’s communications took place on Sept. 20 and Sept. 21, when the association held an in-person transit policy forum in Ottawa featuring an opening address by Infrastructure Minister Dominic LeBlanc.  In addition to LeBlanc, CUTA communicated with transport critics Xavier Barsalou-Duval (Bloc Québécois) and Taylor Bachrach (NDP); and Liberal MPs Vance Badawey and George Chahal, who both sit on the House transport committee; and Conservative MP Kyle Seeback, who sits on the House environment committee.

In new registrations, Taykwa Tagamou Nation started its first file on Sept. 22 with consultant Sydney Oakes of Provoke Public Affairs. Taykwa Tagamou Nation is seeking funding through the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s Indigenous infrastructure branch to develop a transmission line to a planned nickel sulphide mine. Canada Nickel Company is developing the mining project, which is located north-east of Timmins, Ont. In addition to the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Oakes plans to communicate with Indigenous Services, Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Treasury Board, Canadian Energy Regulator, and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.

Also interested in discussing energy projects is Gen7 Fuel, which operates gas stations in First Nation communities across Ontario. The North Bay, Ont.-based company has hired 110 percent communication services consultant Gord McIntosh, who registered on Sept. 30, to represent it in communications with 16 government institutions, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Finance, Natural Resources, Environment, Crown-Indigenous relations, and the federal economic development agencies for Northern Ontario, Southern Ontario, and Northern Canada, as well as with MPs and senators. Gen7 is seeking funding to build charging stations and solar grids in order to become a zero-emission company, according to its registry file. 

Returning to the registry after almost two years is microfinancing organization FINCA Canada. FINCA has hired Earnscliffe Strategies consultant Daniel Bernier, who registered on Sept. 20 to represent it in discussions with the PMO, Privy Council Office, Finance, Global Affairs, Women and Gender Equality, and the International Development Research Centre, as well as with MPs and senators. Bernier previously represented FINCA between June 3, 2020 and Nov. 30, 2020. According to its registry file, FINCA is interested in “building relationships with key decision makers” to establish the company as a “trusted adviser in economic development and microfinance.” 

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Oct. 7 at 9:07 a.m. ET

New registrations

Reactivations

The Lobby Monitor will not publish on Mon. Oct. 10, due to the Thanksgiving public holiday, but will return to its regular publishing schedule on Tues. Oct. 11. Have a happy and safe long weekend!