Media outlets are ramping up their efforts on Parliament Hill as MPs consider Bill C-10, an act to amend the Broadcasting Act. The proposed legislation was introduced in November and is currently at second reading in the House of Commons.
Quebecor Inc., is seeking support through the Canada Media Fund to discuss policies such as those relating to conventional and specialty television. Quebecor Inc has hired Garry Keller of StrategyCorp Inc., in this effort.
Torstar Corporation is requesting a review of the government’s advertising to ensure that the “buy Canadian” percentage is at level with overall procurement. Torstar is advocating for an Australian proposal for fair content compensation, and is looking to discuss income tax deductibility of digital subscriptions as well as the Canadian Journalism Fund.
Disclaimer: iPolitics is owned by Torstar.
Corus Entertainment Inc. has hired Crestview Strategy’s Ashton Arsenault to advocate building a competitive landscape for Canadian media companies. Corus is also seeking discussions on the financial impacts of COVID-19 on the broadcasting industry.
LAST WEEK: Lobby Wrap: Former Morneau aide wins temporary exemption under Lobbying Act to help with OECD bid
As Ontario braces for additional lockdowns during the second wave of COVID-19, the North American Strategy for Competitiveness is pushing recommendations to ease COVID-19 border restrictions.
The highlights
Multiple registrations
Four client organizations had double registrations this week: One Girl Can, Les Éleveurs de porcs du Québec, iENSO, and Canadian Bankers Association.
Registrant Companies: Global Public Affairs had the most registrations with a total of five. Crestview Strategy, Inc. was next with four, then StrategyCorp Inc., with three. Earnscliffe Strategy Group and Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP each had two registrations.
Lobbyists: Ted Gruetzner and Desiree Godin were the only two lobbyists with two registrations this week.
In recent agriculture/trade registrants:
The North American Strategy for Competitiveness appeared for the first time on the Lobby Registry this week, registered by unaffiliated consultant Jennifer Fox. The organization is lobbying the government to consider its recommendations on easing COVID-related border restrictions and is looking to discuss ways to address a potential backlog in commercial driver Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card holders.
Les Éleveurs de porcs du Québec was registered by consultant Sébastien Pagé and internal lobbyist David Vincent to engage with government on agricultural policy regarding income support, import/export inspection standards for pork, and the terms of the Advance Payments Program for the pork sector.
Other: Teck Resources Limited, Lego Systems Inc., 9424-7525 Québec Inc., CGC Inc.
In recent arts/culture/copyright registrants:
Lyric licensing and data services company LyricFind has enlisted the help of Proof Strategies Inc’s James Patrick to seek Canadian Heritage Creative Export Canada fund support.
Tara Mazurk of Global Public Affairs has registered for the Festival Players of Prince Edward County to seek government funding for infrastructure through Canadian Heritage and Infrastructure Canada.
In recent defence/security registrants:
David Pratt of David Pratt & Associates registered for MD Charlton Company Limited, which distributes law enforcement and military equipment such as the SIG Sauer pistol. The company is seeking procurement opportunities with security agencies such as the Department of National Defence and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Other: IMP Group
In recent energy/environment/climate registrants:
Mitigokka Development Corp wants to discuss the potential to reduce GHG emissions and increase energy autonomy in remote First Nations by moving to replace diesel power with locally-sourced biomass energy production. Independent consultant Jonathan Espie is lobbying for the corporation.
Other: Renewable Industries Canada, Real Jobs, Real Recovery Coalition
In recent health registrants:
Soricimed Biopharma Inc. appeared on the Lobby Registry for the first time this week, registered by Yash Dogra of NATIONAL Public Relations. The Moncton, New Brunswick-based company is looking to engage with government regarding its development of targeted cancer therapeutics and progress toward commercialization for their expanded use.
Working through internal lobbyists, Siemens Healthcare Limited is engaging with Health Canada (HC) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) to discuss the supply of COVID-19 testing solutions.
Red Light Holland is looking to receive an exemption for controlled substances use as part of clinical studies. Summer Senter of Wellington-Dupont Public Affairs is lobbying for the company.
Other: ST Innovations, Health Charities Coalition of Canada, TechniTextile Québec.
In recent tech/telecommunications registrants:
Artificial intelligence is the focus of subject matter details in iENSO’s registrations by John Duffy and Conal Slobodin of StrategyCorp Inc. The company is seeking to engage with government on economic development policy innovation and funding for AI applications and manufacturing.
Google Cloud Canada Corporation was registered by Brian Klunder of Temple Scott Associates Inc. to engage with government regarding its COVID-19 response measures.
Other: Dynatrace Corporation of Canada Ltd., HiFidelity Networks Inc.
Of note:
The Canadian Bankers Association was registered by Paul Belanger and Jeff W. Galway of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP. The association is looking to engage with Finance Canada (FIN) and the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) regarding the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada Compliance Framework – including how its application and enforcement as well as other existing law would affect a legislative change it is proposing.
Junior Achievement Canada is advocating for funding increases to expand its free digital education and mentorship to students, working through Jackie Choquette of Crestview Strategies.
Other: One Girl Can, Key Living Corporation, Mouvement d’implication francophone d’Orléans, 9340-5074 Quebec inc, 12118124 Canada Inc.
Communication reports
There were 2500 communications reports in the period covered, with 3992 communications, including older communications from the Canola Council of Canada: One from September 2011 and one from October 2019.
Most active client organizations
Chicken Farmers of Canada: 104 communications, in-house staff
The Mining Association of Canada: 86 communications, in-house staff
Cystic Fibrosis Canada: 82 communications, in-house staff
IBM Canada: 56 communications, in-house staff and paid lobbyist
Wine Growers Canada: 52 communications, in-house staff and paid lobbyist
Most active paid lobbyists
Bilal Cheema for four clients, 38 communications
John Delacourt for four clients, 31 communications
Roberto Chávez for five clients, 18 communications
Elizabeth Thompson for one client, 16 communications
Most lobbied public office holders:
Parvinder Sachdeva: Director of appointments to the minister of innovation, science and industry, 31 communications
Maxence Bernier: senior policy adviser to the minister of Canadian Heritage, 26 communications
Bud Sambasivam: senior policy adviser, Finance Canada, 26 communications
Tracy Gray: MP, 25 communications
Michael Ingoldsby: policy adviser to the minister of finance, 22 communications
Most lobbied government institutions
House of Commons, 1554
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 335
Finance Canada, 179
Global Affairs Canada, 165
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 152
Most lobbied subject matters
Health, 481
Agriculture, 409
Environment, 314
Economic Development, 223
Energy, 194
With files from Marguerite Marlin
