Here’s the news we covered this week:

Two Indigenous advocacy organizations, the Canadian Labour Congress, and Canada’s national government relations associations have told the House ethics committee that attaching a dollar figure to the value of hospitality that lobbyists can offer to public officials could prove problematic for public engagement in different parts of the country. The organizations stated their case at two meetings the committee dedicated to studying Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger’s proposed changes to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct. 

The House public security committee will soon return to its clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-21, the federal government’s gun control legislation. The committee (SECU) has already received 136 submissions and heard from 63 witnesses about the bill, while close to a dozen organizations have registered to lobby decision-makers about the topic. The Lobby Monitor examined the details of the proposed legislation, the arguments of the organizations that are interested in discussing the bill, and the history of the proposed legislation in the House. 

Cole Hogan has joined Earnscliffe Strategies as the firm’s principal of digital strategy. He’ll assist clients with digital strategies honed during successful provincial election campaigns for Doug Ford and Jason Kenney in Ontario and Alberta. “Having done this for political parties during a general election, this skillset is also able to be put to use for private clients,” Hogan said. “It brings a different level of insight to their digital campaigns to really shift public opinion.”

Cooperation Canada posted 10 of the 102 communication reports submitted to the federal lobbyists’ registry between Feb. 20 and Feb. 26. Cooperation Canada shares research, insights, and practices with its international development and humanitarian organization members, which include the Canadian Red Cross, Plan International, and World Vision. It is represented on the registry by CEO Kate Higgins. The organization communicated with International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan on Oct. 20, 2022; Conservative international development critic Garnett Genuis and associate finance critic Philip Lawrence on Oct. 27, 2022; and Independent Senator Peter Boehm on Oct. 14, 2022. Sajjan appeared at Cooperation Canada’s International Co-operation Futures Festival in Ottawa in October.

In new registrations, the Town of Olds in Alberta started its first file on Feb. 20 with consultant Jordan Pinkster of Global Public Affairs. The local government has joined the registry to discuss O-NET, a municipality-owned and operated fibre-to-the-premises network and internet service provider. According to its registry file, the town is looking for opportunities to expand the service “to solve broadband issues in other parts of Alberta.” Pinkster plans to communicate with Innovation, Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), and Parks Canada.

Also new to the registry is Addenda Capital, which started its first file with independent consultant Paul Manias on Feb. 24. Addenda is an investment management firm that invests in companies that adhere to environmental, social and governance principles. According to its registry file, Addenda wants to work with the federal government on climate adaptation policies, including the creation of a “marketplace for partnerships and private investment” in infrastructure projects that support climate change resiliency efforts. Manias plans to communicate with Finance, Innovation, Environment, Infrastructure, and Public Safety.

Returning to the registry is the National Association of Women and the Law (NAWL), which reactivated its file with executive director Tiffany Butler on March 1. The association, which advocates for equity for women through legal education and law reform, was last represented by former executive director Bonnie Diamond between Jan. 18, 1999, and July 19, 2007. According to its registry file, NAWL will advocate for sustained funding for both the department of Women and Gender Equality and women’s rights organizations. In addition to Women and Gender Equality, Butler plans to communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office, Justice, Public Safety, and Finance, as well as with MPs and senators.

New registry files

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on March 2 at 9:11 a.m. ET.

New registrations

Reactivations