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

Connecting decision-makers to those directly affected by their policies has been a priority for lobbyists working on Indigenous-related files over the past year. “Town hall” video conferences have connected grassroots members of organizations with party leaders, while other advocacy groups have emphasized the wider public’s increased focus on issues predominantly affecting Indigenous peoples. (This article was also published in the Sept. 29 special edition of The Hill Times commemorating Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30. A PDF edition of the paper can be accessed for free here.)

Alan Young, who now holds the title of senior associate at Tactix Government Relations and Public Affairs after more than a decade as its co-owner, says the addition of two new partners are part of the “next generation” to lead the company into the future. Alain Madgin, a lead on Tactix’s life sciences practice, and Paul Hillier, who directs the firm's risk communications practice, have assumed ownership roles at the company alongside managing principal Howard Mains. Young says the new partners’ expertise in life sciences and risk communications will become increasingly important in the future.

In other industry movements, Ashley Csanady has joined McMillan Vantage as a senior consultant. The former journalist most recently worked as a senior writer at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, and has spent her career focused on ensuring complex issues are clear, easy to understand, and accessible to her audience. Meanwhile, former federal Conservative staffer Andrea Sarkic has landed at Compass Rose with experience in building consensus and finding solutions to complex policy issues. A ministerial assistant to Lisa Raitt, who was in cabinet in Stephen Harper’s minority government, Sarkic was most recently the government relations manager at Irving Oil.

Only 15 communication reports were filed last week, the lowest numbers since December, 2019. The low numbers were in contrast to the 653 reports posted the week before. Submitting two reports each last week were charitable organization Shelter Movers, thermal technology business Glacies, diamond mining company De Beers Canada, and the University of Toronto.

In new registrations, a coalition of charter flight, aircraft distributors, maintenance providers, flight schools, and other aviation-related businesses plans to discuss tax proposals on aircraft contained in the 2021 federal budget. The group started its first set of files on Sept. 22, registering under the name Coalition of Aviation Industry Partners with David McArthur of McMillan Vantage, and as Aviation Coalition with McArthur’s colleague, Anushka Kurian. McArthur and Kurian will communicate with Finance.

In energy registrations, CoGenerate Solar Inc. started its first file on Aug. 3 with CEO Ra’ed Arab. According to its file, the Ottawa-based renewable energy technology company is seeking grant funding for research and development with the assistance of Sustainable Development Technology Canada, Natural Resources Canada’s Clean Growth Fund, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development’s Strategic Innovation Fund. Arab will communicate with 16 government offices, including the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Innovation, Environment, Infrastructure, and Public Services and Procurement, as well as with MPs.

Returning to the registry recently is the Baking Association of Canada. Martin Barnett, the association’s executive director and general manager, became active for the association on Sept. 7. The association was most recently registered with Barnett until July 9. According to its file, the association is interested in discussing alternatives to single-use plastics in the industry, voluntary sodium reduction, and the introduction of a grocery code of conduct. Barnett will communicate with the PMO, Health, Innovation, Environment, Agriculture, the Treasury Board, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and Public Health Agency of Canada, as well as with MPs and senators.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Oct. 1 at 9:16 a.m. ET

New registrations

Reactivations