Here’s a rundown of the news we covered this week:

The Federal Court of Appeal (FCA) ruled that the federal lobbying commissioner doesn’t need to take another look at whether lobbying laws were contravened in 2017 when the Aga Khan invited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to his private island for a vacation. The ruling was issued on April 1, but posted to the FCA website on April 20. The federal government was appealing an earlier ruling by the Federal Court, which stated that a decision by the previous lobbying commissioner, Karen Shepherd, to not investigate the matter was “unreasonable.” The FCA decision was that the Lobbying Act does not create a statutory right for a member of the public to have a complaint investigated, and therefore it is not necessary to consider “the reasonableness of the decision.”

Federal Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion released a report on April 22 stating his office would not conduct an investigation into Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough and her role in the 2017 selection of a chairperson for Defence Construction Canada. Qualtrough, then serving as minister of Public Services, recommended Moreen Miller for the position. A complaint about the selection was received by the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. The concern was that Miller wasn’t chosen for her qualifications, but because she was president and CEO of Fowler Construction at that time. That company is partly owned by Bill Graham, who is a former Foreign Affairs and National Defence minister.

In the Qualtrough Report, Dion said he saw “no reason” to believe Qualtrough was in a conflict of interest, and considers the matter closed.

Communication reports filed in March show a prevalence of discussions on the Hill related to health and economic development. Health was the most popular subject that month, appearing in 489 communication reports. The economy followed with 334 reports. The most active lobby group in March, which specifically references COVID-19 in its file, was the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. The association, represented on the registry by its president and CEO, Tim McMillan, was the third most active group in terms of total communication reports filed, behind Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.

Heart and Stroke filed 62 communication reports in March, including contact with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 10. The organization’s representatives were on the Hill on March 10 and 11 for lobby days, which primarily focused on youth vaping and universal pharmacare. During the advocacy event the organization also spoke with Health Minister Patty Hajdu, and several members of the House health committee, including its chair, Liberal MP Ron McKinnon.

In new registrations, BGI Group, a genome sequencing and research organization, started its first file on April 20 with consultant Jeff Smith of Longview Communications and Public Affairs. The company is interested in discussing federal government policies regarding genome sequencing related to humans, plants, animals, disease research, and drug development, according to the registry. BGI Group announced on April 20 it has produced more than 10 million test kits for detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus strain that causes COVID-19. The kits are being distributed to more than 80 countries.

Smith will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Innovation, Health, Global Affairs Canada, senators and MPs.

Iristel Technologies started its first file on April 7 with consultant Jeffrey Silverstein of 2Traverse Strategy Group. The company is pursuing government support for its telecommunications services during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the registry. Demand for internet services has spiked during the pandemic, with Bell Canada reporting a 60 per cent increase in home internet usage during the day. The network load has created “choke points” that are reducing data speed, according to Iristel’s website.

Silverstein will communicate with the PMO, Innovation, Finance, the Privy Council Office, Global Affairs Canada, Export Development Canada, as well as MPs and senators.

Nummax, a manufacturer of digital display equipment in Quebec, started its first file on April 3 with its vice-president, Guillaume Robert, listed as the senior officer. The company is advocating for the government to expand its criteria for the businesses eligible for assistance programs during the pandemic. The federal government introduced a business credit availability program (BCAP) as part of its COVID-19 economic response plan, announced on March 18. The BCAP provides direct lending, and other types of financial support, through Export Development Canada (EDC) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDB).

Robert will communicate with the BDB.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on April 24 at 9:15 a.m

New registrations

Reactivations