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

A Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) ruling that the lobbying commissioner does not have a duty to investigate complaints from the public will stand, with a decision by the Supreme Court on Oct. 15 to dismiss a leave for appeal on the matter from Democracy Watch. Duff Conacher, the co-founder of Democracy Watch, filed for a leave to appeal on June 1. He said the Supreme Court’s dismissal joins with the FCA in “striking a blow” against the public’s ability to hold the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying accountable. Lobbying commissioner Nancy Bélanger said in an emailed statement to The Lobby Monitor that she is aware of the Supreme Court’s decision, and that she will continue to take seriously any allegations of breaches of the Lobbying Act or Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct.

Temple Scott Associates announced on Oct. 14 that Don Moors is the new president of the firm, taking over the role from Ian Anderson, who served as president for 30 years. Prior to becoming president, Moors served the firm in several roles over the last 22 years, including as a senior consultant, vice-president and senior vice-president. Anderson continues to serve clients as chair of the firm, but is stepping back from day-to-day operations.

Kiki Cloutier joined Earnscliffe Strategy’s Toronto office as a principal of strategic communications. She previously served for 13 years in the national office of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS), an organization representing approximately 2,300 public relations and communication management practitioners across Canada. Most recently she served the CPRS as interim executive director.

The Canadian Association for Long Term Care (CALTC) posted 35 communication reports last week on the federal lobbyists’ registry. Representatives for the organization contacted 34 different MPs between Sept. 28 and Oct. 2, including Minister of Seniors Deb Schulte on Sept. 28, to discuss its 2021 federal pre-budget submission. The submission calls for $2.1 billion over the next two years to cover costs for personal protective equipment, staffing and other costs at long-term care facilities associated with COVID-19.

In new registrations, Vitacore Industries started its first registry file on Oct. 7 with consultant Melissa Pasi of Hill+Knowlton Strategies. The company, a PPE manufacturer based in B.C., is interested in speaking with the federal government about its CAN95 respirator mask, which received authorization from Health in August. Vitacore has plans to upscale its production of the masks to 10 million units per month, according to a press release. Pasi will communicate with Health, Innovation, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and with MPs.

Layfield Group of Companies, started its first registry file with independent consultant Betty Dusange-Hayer on Sept. 9. The organization is seeking federal government approval and a contract to supply respirator masks, the registry shows. Layfield Group partnered with Maple Leaf Laboratories in B.C. to launch an N95 mask production line capable of producing up to 50 million units per year, according to a report in Richmond News. Dusange-Hayer will communicate with Health, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and with the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Smartricity started its first file with its CEO Michael Sonsogno on Aug. 15. The company is interested in speaking with the federal government about items for Health Canada approval and the sale of ventilators related to COVID-19, according to the file. Smartcity collaborated with medical technology company Ocalink to develop a blower motor for Ocalink’s Pantheon Emergency Ventilator (PEV), which received Health Canada certification on Aug. 27. Sonsogno will communicate with Public Services and Procurement Canada.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Oct. 16 at 9:00 a.m.
 

New registrations

Reactivations