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

The Lobby Monitor spoke one-on-one with Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger to discuss her thoughts on challenges the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying (OCL) faced in 2020 during the pandemic, and what she’s looking forward to in 2021. As of Dec. 10, more than 23,000 communication reports were filed on the federal lobbyists’ registry for 2020, compared to 16,637 filed in 2019. The Bélanger submitted a request to the Treasury Board Secretariat on Nov. 13 for a larger budget for the OCL, so the office may hire additional IT staff. The OCL is also currently engaged in a round of consultations for possible changes to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct. Bélanger said a second round is likely in the new year.

Sonny Cho, president and CEO of the Canada Korea Business Council (CKBC), has joined Global Public Affairs (GPA) as a senior fellow. In his new role, Cho is offering guidance to clients interested in either launching or further expanding into the Canadian marketplace. Cho is also the current CEO of Sonny Cho International, a company based in Toronto that assists businesses with international expansion, government relations, facility procurement, and strategic partnerships.

Tina Beaudry-Mellor, a former Saskatchewan cabinet minister, has joined Counsel Public Affairs as a principal, is offering her expertise to clients related to the innovation and post-secondary education sectors. Beaudry-Mellor has served in several cabinet positions within the Saskatchewan government, including as a former minister of Advanced Education and minister responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan in the cabinet of Saskatchewan Party Premier Scott Moe.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) posted 17 communication reports last week, which included reports for contacting Minister of Innovation Navdeep Bains on Nov. 4 and Minister of Rural Economic Development Maryam Monsef on Nov. 6. One of the advocacy priorities for the CFA is to discuss possible changes to AgriStability, a federal government program that offers a financial safety net for farmers. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced on Nov. 27 that the federal government is “ready to step up with improvements” to its business risk management programs, and is aiming for a 50 per cent increase to the amount paid out to farmers through AgriStability.

In new registrations, Beauty United Canada, an advocacy organization representing the beauty industry in Ontario, started its first registry file on Dec. 9 with its chair, Paola Girotti. The organization is interested in discussing federal funding support for personal protective equipment (PPE) and staff training, as well as a request for the federal government to ease lockdown restrictions for its industry, the registry shows. The beauty industry in Ontario is valued at approximately $1.2 billion annually and comprises about 3,500 businesses, according to data gathered by Beauty United. Girotti will communicate with the federal department of Women and Gender Equality.

Philips Electronics, started a file on Dec. 7 with consultant Pierre Cyr of FleishmanHillard HighRoad. The medical technology company is reaching out to the federal government to discuss procurement opportunities of its medical equipment for Canada’s national emergency strategic stockpile, according to the registry. Cyr will communicate with Health, Innovation, Public Health Agency of Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and with MPs.

The Real Jobs, Real Recovery Coalition increased its representation on the registry by adding consultant Catherine Lansley of Global Public Affairs to its file on Nov. 30. Also active on the file are Stewart Muir, the executive director of Resource Works, and Margareta Dovgal, Resource Works’ director of research. The coalition with members from the natural resources sector including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the Canadian Energy Pipelines Association is discussing policy support for its industries in relation to economic recovery from the pandemic, according to the registry. Lansley will communicate with the PMO, Natural Resources, Innovation, Infrastructure, Finance, Environment, senators and MPs.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Dec. 11 at 9:45 a.m

New registrations

Reactivations