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

Conservative MP Rachael Harder was appointed chair of the House ethics committee on Feb. 19. She told The Lobby Monitor she would like the committee to take another look at the facts surrounding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the SNC-Lavalin affair.

The Trudeau ll Report, released in August by the federal ethics office, stated there were witnesses related to that investigation who could not speak because of their need to hold cabinet confidence.

Harder released a statement on Feb. 19 saying she would like to “bring in necessary witnesses and examine all the facts.”

Liberal MP Brenda Shanahan was chosen as a vice-chair of the committee.

Environment was the most popular subject matter in communication reports posted in January on the federal lobbyists’ registry. This is the third month in a row that  the environment led the discussions on the Hill, with it listed in 273 reports last month.

Bruce Power, the licensed operator of the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station in Ontario, filed 12 communication reports in January, nine of which included a focus on the environment.

Last month, Bruce Power deactivated one of its nuclear reactors so it could be refurbished. This is the start of a major $13-billion and 13-year project to refurbish six of the site’s eight reactors. The project is estimated to extend the life of the facility until 2064.

Lobbying activity surged last week, with more than 1,400 communication reports filed between Feb. 10 and Feb. 16. This is a spike in activity compared to the 194 communication reports filed between Feb. 3 and Feb. 9, and the 97 reports posted between Jan. 27 and Feb. 2.

The Dairy Farmers of Nova Scotia filed the most communication reports last week at 28.

The organization, which represents more than 200 dairy farms in Nova Scotia, is advocating for the federal government to defend dairy supply management during international trade negotiations, according to the registry.

In new registrations, the Cannabis Council of Canada (C3) started its first file on Feb. 14 with consultant Alanna Sokic of Global Public Affairs. Consultant Reema Gill of the same firm was added on Feb. 18.

C3, which estimates it represents nearly 90 per cent of Canada’s cannabis industry through its membership, is advocating that the federal government develop a national standard for cannabis industry excise stamps.

The federal government requires excise stamps to be attached to all cannabis products, as proof that the necessary taxes have been paid by the producer.

C3 has criticized the lack of consistency in the stamps between different provinces and territories, claiming it hinders movement of cannabis products across the country.

The two consultants will communicate with Health Canada, MPs and senators.

Barclays, a financial services company based in the U.K., started its first file on Feb. 20 with consultant Pierre Cyr of FleishmanHillard HighRoad. The company, which operates branches in Alberta and Ontario, would like to discuss the federal government’s policy directions on climate change and western economic development, according to the registry.

Cyr will contact the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat, Environment and Finance.

The Future of Infrastructure Group (FIG) made its first appearance on the registry on Feb. 19 with consultant John Allen of Global Public Affairs. Allen’s colleague, Natalia Lasakova, was added on Feb. 20.

FIG is an advocacy group that endeavours to identify challenges facing the infrastructure industry and propose solutions. The organization would like to discuss best practices related to procurement policy and innovation, as well as infrastructure funding, according to the registry.

The two consultants will communicate with the PMO, Infrastructure, Innovation, Natural Resources, Health, and Transport.
 

New registry files posted between 2020-02-17 and 2020-02-21

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Feb. 21 at 9:15 a.m.

New registrations posted between 2020-02-17 and 2020-02-21

Reactivations posted between 2020-02-17 and 2020-02-21