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

Lobbying activity related to the federal budget jumped from fewer than 100 communication reports in July and August up to 208 in September. This trend continued in October with 236 communication reports filed that were related to the budget. John Delacourt, a vice president at Hill+Knowlton (H+K) Strategies, said he anticipates “a great deal of activity” in budget-related lobbying, following the release of the fall economic statement on Nov. 30. Delacourt recommended lobbyists ramp up their efforts related to the 2021 federal budget, arguing that level of engagement is needed since the federal government is still engaged in crisis response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was announced on Nov. 25 that Stefano Hollands, a former senior government relations intern at Crestview Strategy, has joined the firm as a full consultant. Twenty-five-year-old Hollands said he has found his age helps him in dealing with political staffers, who are generally of a similar age. He previously worked as a volunteer on the re-election campaign of now-former Liberal MP Michael Levitt during the 2019 federal election. Hollands’s experience at the municipal level includes serving as a research analyst for Lanie Hurdle, the chief administrative officer for the city council in Kingston, Ont.

Stakeholders should use policy directions indicated by the Liberal government’s fall economic statement to prepare their lobbying strategies in anticipation of a possible federal election in 2021, according to John O’Leary, a senior consultant at Crestview Strategy. Delacourt said the economic statement can be used to see the beginning of a roadmap for the next election. The statement, delivered by Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Nov. 30, said the Liberal government will invest in a growth plan of approximately three to four per cent of Canada’s GDP, or up to $100 billion, over three years, to jumpstart economic recovery.

The Health Charities Coalition of Canada (HCCC) increased its team of third-party consultants on the federal lobbyists’ registry in November, and posted seven communication reports between Nov. 23 and Nov. 29. The HCCC is pursuing financial support for health charities in the 2021 federal budget, in response to declining revenue in its sector during the pandemic. Consultants Elizabeth Thompson and Patil Imasdounian, both of Santis Health, were added to the organization’s file on Nov. 4 and Nov. 25, respectively. The coalition’s recent communication reports list contact with Conservative MP Rosemarie Falk, the shadow cabinet minister for seniors, and Conservative MP Chris d'Entremont, his party’s critic for intergovernmental affairs and a House health committee member, on Nov. 24.

In new registrations, Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corporation, a broadcasting company based in Toronto, started a file on the federal lobbyists’ registry with consultant Susie Heath of Crestview Strategy that was posted on Nov. 30. Advocacy priorities for the organization include discussing the modernization of the Broadcasting Act, and financial impacts related to COVID-19. On Nov. 3, the Liberal government introduced Bill C-10, which proposes to amend the Broadcasting Act by broadening its scope by placing online video and music streaming services under the authority of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Heath will communicate with the PMO, the CRTC, Canadian Heritage, Finance, Innovation, the Privy Council Office, as well as MPs and senators.

Kelasol Power, a company based in Ontario, started its first file on Dec. 2 with its president Kevin Solski. The company is interested in obtaining federal funding to support technology it has developed that it claims allows for emissions-free production of electrical power. Solski will communicate with Innovation, Environment, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.

The Chicken Farmers of Ontario strengthened its file by adding six of its board members to the registry near the end of November. This includes board members Marc Bourdon and John Opsteen who were added on Nov. 23, and Rick Kaptein, added on Nov. 24. The Chicken Farmers of Ontario are interested in speaking with the federal government about international trade, and Canada’s responsible supply management system, the registry shows. The board members will communicate with MPs.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Dec. 4 at 9:30 a.m.

New registrations

Reactivations