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

The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) was the most active lobbying organization in April, with 258 filed communication reports. With 2,705 communication reports filed for that month as of May 20, a new record was set for lobbying activity. The CVA’s reports, which all listed “health” as the subject for discussion, made up nearly 40 per cent of the 650 health-related communication reports filed in April. Health emerged as the top subject discussed in federal lobbying last month, surpassing “economic development,” which was listed in 364 communication reports.

Democracy Watch intends to file a Federal Court case before the summer to pressure the Liberal government to move forward with a review of the Lobbying Act, which is now four years overdue. A review was originally expected in 2017. Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch, said it “sets a bad precedent” if Parliament goes this long without a formal review, since section 14.1 of the Lobbying Act requires the process to occur every five years. Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger said commencing a review of the act is “important” during an appearance before the House ethics committee on May 14.

Thanh Ngo, a former sector lead in advanced technologies and life sciences for Alberta’s Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, has joined Global Public Affairs’ Calgary office as a senior consultant. Ngo served for seven years with the Alberta government, starting at the ministry as a biopharmaceutical analyst. New arrivals at Global Public Affairs also include Julia Chew who joined the firm’s Toronto office in April as a senior consultant within the health and life sciences practice; and Leila Farmer who is now a senior consultant at the firm’s Victoria office. Chew is a former policy adviser with Ontario’s Ministry of Government and Consumer Issues, while Farmer was most recently an issues manager within the B.C. agency of Government Communications & Public Engagement. 

The Canadian Vaping Association led in communication reports last week, and contributed 262 of the total 2,310 communication reports filed. The CVA emailed hundreds of MPs to discuss flavoured vaping products. Health Canada is currently considering a ban on some flavoured vaping products, which the CVA is arguing would be detrimental to public health because it would push users of vaping products back to smoking. Following the CVA last week, the Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC) submitted 73 communication reports. The CFC communicated with Minister of Agriculture Marie-Claude Bibeau on April 21. Advocacy issues discussed by the CFC in April included the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, and supply management, according to CFC Twitter posts.

In new registrations, the ONE Campaign started its first registry file on May 17 with consultant Tiéoulé Traoré of National Public Relations. The organization is advocating for Canada to play a leadership role in ensuring developing countries receive “their fair share” of COVID-19 vaccines, according to the registry. Traoré will communicate with MPs.

A24 Films, a U.S.-based independent entertainment company, started its first file on May 17 with consultant Paul Tye-Ko of Sussex Strategy Group. The company is reaching out to the federal government to discuss Canada’s mandatory 14-day quarantine for people entering the country, and how that impacts film productions, according to the registry. Tye-Ko will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Health Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Heritage, and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

HealthPRO Procurement Services started its first file on May 11 with consultant Carly Ellis of Enterprise Canada. The file was strengthened on May 17 with the addition of consultant Nivitha Jeyakumar of ENsight Canada, which is affiliated with Enterprise. HealthPRO is interested in discussing its ability to serve as a procurement provider for the federal government and health care organizations seeking contracts for medical supplies, the registry shows. Ellis and Jeyakumar will communicate with the PMO, Health Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and with MPs.

Just a note that The Lobby Monitor will not publish on May 24 due to the Victoria Day holiday, but will return with your daily Morning Briefing and new articles beginning May 25. Have a happy and safe long weekend!

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on May 21 at 8:45 a.m. ET
 

New registrations

Reactivations