The Lobby Monitor returned on Jan. 2 after the New Year’s break. Here’s a look back at the news we’ve covered this week:

The cannabis industry may have an opportunity in 2020 to build a sector-specific advocacy strategy, according to Omar Khan, the national cannabis sector lead for Hill+Knowlton Strategies. The first review of the Cannabis Act is expected by October 2021, which Khan thinks gives the industry more than a year to build a unified voice. Cannabis industry lobbying has previously focused on how to expand retail sales in various provinces, but the industry might consider emphasizing its economic benefits as it advocates to government staff this year, according to Khan.

Canada’s cannabis industry contributed more than $8 billion to the country’s GDP in July 2019, according to Statistics Canada.

In new registrations, True Energy Incorporated, an oil and natural gas company based in Kingston, Ont., started its first file on the federal lobbyists’ registry on Dec. 11. The company has engaged consultant Arthur Potts of Municipal Affairs Consulting to speak to the federal government about funding for waste treatment technology that would reduce the demand for fossil fuels, the registry shows.

Potts will communicate with Environment.

Also related to environment, DynaCert, a Toronto, Ont. based company, started its first file on Dec. 9 with consultant Sarbjit Kaur of KPW Comms. The company is seeking federal funding to support the development and expansion of its carbon reduction technology, according to the registry.

Kaur will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Environment, Finance, Innovation, and the Business Development Bank of Canada.

In post-secondary institutions’ registrations, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) increased its representation by adding consultant Alla Drigola of Impact Public Affairs to its file on Dec. 8.

Denise Amyot, CICan’s president, is also active on the file.

CICan advocates on behalf of 135 of Canada’s publicly funded colleges and institutes. Among the topics the organization is interested in discussing with the federal government is the Copyright Act and how it relates to educational materials. CICan is also interested in discussing the possible development of a college and institute internship program to expose more students to private sector research opportunities, and for harmonization and simplification of immigration policies to facilitate work and study permits for students.

Drigola will communicate with the PMO, Innovation, Immigration, Finance, and with senators and MPs.
 

New registry files posted between 2019-12-30 and 2020-01-03

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Jan. 03 at 9:00 a.m.
 

New registrations posted between 2019-12-30 and 2020-01-03

Reactivations posted between 2019-12-30 and 2020-01-03

Here’s a look back at what made Lobby Monitor news as 2019 winds down:

The number of posted communication reports surged between the week beginning Dec. 2 and that beginning Dec. 10. 

A total of 651 communication reports were posted between Dec. 10 and Dec. 16, compared to 107 reports posted between Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. Innovation was the most targeted government institution, and appeared in 60 reports posted between Dec. 10 and Dec. 16.

Taleesha Thorogood, a senior business adviser with Fasken in Calgary, spoke with The Lobby Monitor about her new role as president of the Public Affairs Association of Canada’s (PAAC) Alberta chapter, which launched in September. 

"For me, it was the opportunity to really help public affairs professionals be able to really grow their careers and provide opportunities for them to excel in terms of professional development and the networking opportunities that come with PAAC," said Thorogood in explaining why she wanted to lead PAAC. 

The Lobby Monitor took a look back on the big lobbying news of 2019.

In personnel changes, two former parliamentarians decided to explore the other side of government relations. Andrew Leslie, a former parliamentary secretary to Chrystia Freeland in her role as minister of Foreign Affairs, is now a senior associate for Bluesky Strategy Group. And former senator André Pratte is a new strategic adviser for Tact Intelligence-conseil. 

The Lobby Monitor also reviewed the companies making strategic moves out west. These include Enterprise Canada and Compass Rose, which both hired its first consultants to work outside of Ontario. Crestview Strategy and Counsel Public Affairs already had staffers in Alberta and used 2019 to grow their teams in the province. 

In new registry files, two Quebec-based manufacturers of defence products want more details from the federal government. 

Cadex Inc. registered with its president Serge Dextraze. The filing was posted on Dec. 19, but began Nov. 1. 

Katherine Parent, Dextraze’s executive assistant, told The Lobby Monitor that the amount of time it takes for her company to receive approval to export its weapons is taking longer. The company wants to talk to government officials about the issue.

“In the last two years, it’s getting more and more difficult to get the licenses, which is problematic for us,” Parent said.  

Telops Inc., which manufactures infrared cameras for defence and industrial purposes, has also registered to discuss export licenses. Jean-Eric Guindon, a lawyer with Bélanger Sauvé, will represent Telops in discussions on the Hill. That filing was posted on Dec. 16. 

In new registrations, Adapt Pharma has added three new consultants to its file. Jaskiran Shoker, Bob Lopinski and Stephanie Gawur, all of Counsel Public Affairs, registered on behalf of the company on Dec. 18. They join their Counsel colleagues, Ben Parsons and Sheamus Murphy, on the file. 

The five consultants all have the same goal for their lobbying. They are tasked with talking to government officials about Narcan nasal spray, a type of naloxone, which is used to counter the effects of opioid overdose. 

And with that, The Lobby Monitor leaves you for 2019. We return to our regular publishing schedule on Jan. 2, 2020. Happy holidays!

New registry files posted between 2019-12-16 and 2019-12-20

New registrations posted between 2019-12-16 and 2019-12-20

Reactivations posted between 2019-12-16 and 2019-12-20