Here’s the news we covered this week:

The Lobby Monitor spoke with two organizations which have advocated that psychotherapy and counseling services not be subject to service tax, a measure included in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement. “We're just absolutely thrilled,” said Kim Hollihan, CEO of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, about the government’s move. Sharing her enthusiasm is Andrew Sofin, president of the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, who said, “At first, I didn't believe it because we've been [advocating for] this for so long.”

Evidence for Democracy’s new executive director, Sarah Laframboise, told The Lobby Monitor she hopes to "empower more champions of science” in her new role. Laframboise discussed her new role and the organization, which is a non-profit that advocates for the transparent use of scientific evidence in government decision-making. “We really believe that if governments make decisions that are informed by the best evidence, then people will have more trust in government,” she said.

We introduced readers to New Economy Canada, which was formed to be the “one loud voice” in a push to accelerate Canada’s transition to a net-zero economy. The organization, led by president Merran Smith, officially launched on November 15. Smith talked to The Lobby Monitor about the organization’s members, its beginnings and policy goals. “Everybody was united around this message of act now, move faster,” said Smith. “We're saying this not just in response to the climate crisis, but in order to remain competitive in this global economy that is increasingly rewarding low carbon participants, we need government action now. We need more, not less, we need faster, not slower.”

In weekly communications reports, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) met with government officials to discuss issues affecting businesses, including the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) loan and carbon tax policies, said Dariya Baiguzhiyeva, a media relations officer at the organization.These conversations led the organization to submit the highest number of communication reports — 16 out of a total of 229 — to the federal lobbyists’ registry in the week of Nov. 27. The group is represented on the registry by its president and CEO Daniel Kelly.

In this week’s registrations, Halucenex Life Sciences joined the federal lobbyists’ registry as it seeks federal funding for a psilocybin-assisted therapy clinical trial. The company is represented by Michael Kydd of Kydder Management Group Inc. Halucenex is proposing to conduct a psilocybin-assisted therapy clinical trial to assist with treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder for veterans.

Another organization joining the registry for the first time is Youth Without Shelter, which provides shelter and support programs for homeless youth between the ages of 16 and 24 years old. The organization is represented by Kim Wright of Wright Strategies. The consultant will discuss the development of programs to assist youth facing homelessness.

New Registry

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on Dec. 8 at 9:12 a.m. ET.

New Registration

Reactivation