Here’s the news we covered this week:Konrad von Finckenstein has been appointed as the permanent Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner. The Prime Minister’s Office made the announcement on Feb. 29, the same day von Finckenstein’s six-month interim term was set to come to an end. Von Finckenstein, who started in the job on Aug. 30, 2023, is set to serve a seven-year term.

The Lobby Monitor spoke with Sadaf Abbasi, vice-president at Sussex Strategy, about the launch of the firm’s health practice. Abbasi, who is leading the practice, said that an increased demand for “specialized expertise” and an ever-evolving health-care policy landscape were the motivating factors behind the launch. “We saw a growing demand for specialized expertise and navigating the complexities of health care,” said Abbasi. “There's just been so much going on … and we wanted to provide that extra layer of expertise, experience and support to our existing clients, but also to attract more down the road.”

Carla Ventin, the former senior vice-president of government relations at Food, Health, and Consumer Products, has joined GT and Company as principal. Ventin spoke to The Lobby Monitor about her previous work experience and how she hopes to further grow in her new role. “I've worked in a lot of areas, including in agri-food, manufacturing and health, and international trade, but there are other areas of the economy that I am interested in expanding more into,” said Ventin. “What I really like about moving into a consulting firm is that you can work for a variety of different clients from different sectors of the economy and that's very appealing to me; you can apply your skill set, expertise, and knowledge to other sectors.”

In this week’s communication reports, the Frontier Duty Free Association submitted the highest number of communication reports in the week of Feb. 19, 2024. The organization is represented on the federal lobbyists’ registry by Brett Hartley and Barbara Barrett of Impact Public Affairs. The consultants submitted 10 communications out of a total of 101 reports filed in the past week. Barrett and Hartley list several topics on their registry files including requests for funding through the Tourism Growth Strategy and loan forgiveness for those who made use of the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA).

In this week’s registrations, InductEV Inc. is joining the federal lobbyists' registry for the first time to discuss the benefits of wireless charging for electric vehicles (EV). The company is represented by Stefano Hollands of Crestview Strategy. InductEV aims to educate the federal government on the benefits of wireless, on-route charging for public transit and commercial vehicles in ports, according to Hollands’ file.The company offers technology which is capable of remotely charging commercial or passenger EVs.

The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), represented by president and CEO David Wilkes, has also joined the registry for the first time. Communications will focus on the need to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the development approval process and the development industry through policy reform. BILD represents home building, residential and non-residential land development and professional renovation industries in the Greater Toronto Area.

New Registry

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Mar. 1, at 8:30 a.m. E.T.
 

New Registartion 

Reactivation

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Mar. 1, at 8:30 a.m. E.T.
 

New Registartion 

Reactivation

Here’s the news we covered this week:

In this week’s On Queen Street, The Lobby Monitor spoke with Daniel Perry who joined Hill and Knowlton as a senior consultant because was drawn by the firm’s presence in multiple countries. “I was ready for a change,” said Perry. “I wanted to grow my skill set and work with people not just across Canada, but across the world and H+K’s global reach really appealed to me in that sense.”

The Lobby Monitor spoke with Alison Evans, president and CEO of Research Canada, and Chad Gaffield, CEO of U15 Canada, about their Coalition of Canadian Research. The 12-member coalition is running a media advocacy campaign with the goal of drawing attention to the research sector’s need for increased funding. “We decided to really come together to impress upon decision-makers that this is serious,” said Gaffield. “For our collective benefit, we need an ambitious [and] aggressive approach to success in the 21st century.”

In this week’s communication reports, BlackBerry Limited, represented by its CEO John Giamatteo, submitted the highest number of communication reports during the week of Feb. 12. The company filed 33 communications out of a total of 1,941 reports submitted to the federal lobbyists’ registry in that time period. Giamatteo’s registry file lists a number of discussion topics including government procurement and funding opportunities, as well as policies related to trade, innovation and intellectual property.

In this week’s registrations, Pro Metal Industries has joined the federal lobbyists’ industry for the first time as it seeks government contracts in the aerospace and defence sector. The company is represented by Peter Studer of CFN Consultants, whose engagement will focus on securing a procurement contract with the federal government for projects requiring precision manufacturing and metal fabrication.

MustGrow Biologics Corp., represented by independent consultant Galen Cranston, has also joined the registry for the first time. Cranston will engage government officials to secure funding for MustGrow to develop technology and products that will assist with sustainable agriculture. MustGrow Biologics aims to develop a mustard seed-based organic fertilizer that could be used for organic farming and to improve soil health.

Green Impact Partners hired Sheamus Murphy of Counsel Public Affairs to represent it on the federal lobbyists’ registry. Murphy is joining his Counsel colleagues, Alexander MacDonald and Ben Parsons, in representing the organization. On behalf of Green Impact Partners, Murphy will seek funding opportunities through the federal government to construct a “net [carbon dioxide] negative renewable biofuels facility” in Alberta. Additionally, Murphy will consult with government officials about carbon capture, utilization and storage technology investment tax credits, the establishment of carbon credit trading markets, and the implementation of the Clean Fuel Standard.

New Registry

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Feb. 23 at 8:55 a.m. E.T.

New Registrations

Reactivations