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

Close to 50 organizations and individuals submitted feedback on the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying’s (OCL) proposed changes to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct. Of the 49 stakeholders who submitted comments, 20 either expressed full support for the proposal, or echoed the opinions in other submissions. The Lobby Monitor has summarized the key submission recommendations for each section of the proposed code of conduct. This week’s article covers the response to rules 1, 2, and 3. A second article, covering the responses to rules 4, 5, 6, and 7, will be published on March 21.

Rob LeForte has launched a new lobbying firm, First Lake Solutions. The former Impact Public Affairs vice-president and Summa Strategies senior consultant plans to help smaller organizations connect more easily with governments and public officials. “My sense was, I could help a lot of smaller organizations with smaller budgets and still be a really sustainable business,” LeForte told The Lobby Monitor. “I don't think you need to have a fancy office that a client comes to once or twice a year to serve that client really well and to make their budget go a lot further.”

February was the busiest month for communication reports since the 2021 federal election, with a series of lobby days held as MPs returned from winter break. The Tourism Industry Association of Canada was the most active organization last month, posting 60 reports. In total, 3,062 communication reports were posted in February, 2022. That marked the highest monthly number since February, 2021, with 3,301 posted. The environment was the most popular topic, with the subject raised in 603 communications, followed by economic development (534), health (498), and agriculture (485).

In more recent communication reports, Electricity Canada submitted 15 of the 417 communication reports posted to the registry last week. Formerly known as the Canadian Electricity Association, Electricity Canada is a national association representing electricity utilities and companies. It is represented on the registry in-house by president and CEO Francis Bradley. The association communicated with Fiona Simons, policy director to Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, on Feb. 17; Kevin Deagle, senior policy adviser to Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne, on Feb. 15; and Elisabeth D'Amours, policy adviser to Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, on Feb. 16.

In new registrations, the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council (CNIC) has hired Catherine Lansley of Global Public Affairs, who registered on March 15, to represent it in discussions with six government institutions, including the departments of Health, Natural Resources, and Innovation, as well as with MPs. The CNIC advocates for the production of nuclear isotopes in Canada. Associated organizations include Bruce Power, the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine, and the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. According to its registry file, the council plans to build relationships with federal officials involved in developing Canada’s health and nuclear policies, as well as communicating “the importance of policy support for the Canadian nuclear isotope industry.”

Also new to the registry is the Small Change Fund, which started its first file on Feb. 24 with president Burkhard Mausberg. The organization provides consulting, communications, and crowdfunding services for environmental, poverty reduction, and reconciliation projects. According to its registry file, the Small Change Fund is interested in advocating for increased funding on climate action, as well as new climate change-related communications programs, the banning of fossil fuel advertising, and regulations to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Mausberg plans to communicate with Finance, Environment, Natural Resources, Heritage, Infrastructure, Transport, and the Canadian Council for the Arts, as well as with MPs.

Boosting its representation on the Hill is the Salvation Army of Canada and Bermuda Territory, which added Edelman consultants Pierre Cyr and Victoria Jordan on March 7, and their colleague Jeremy Wittet on March 10. The consultants join territorial commander Floyd Tidd, who has represented the Salvation Army on the registry since Oct. 1, 2019.  According to its registry file, the consultants will communicate with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) about the National Housing Co-Investment Fund and Rapid Housing Initiative; discuss the Salvation Army’s emergency disaster response services; and advocate for financial support for individuals and families facing poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity. In addition to the CMHC, Cyr, Jordan, and Wittet plan to communicate with Global Affairs, Agriculture, Employment, Public Safety, and the Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as with MPs.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on March 18 at 9:07 a.m. ET

New registrations

Reactivations