Canada’s largest union is lobbying Ottawa on “ongoing job pressures in the public service,” as well as to “advocate for the federal government’s role in maintaining and improving strong public services.”

Over the past two weeks, four different consultants to register on lobby behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) / Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique (SCFP).

Not all of their registrations with the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying are identical. One outlined plans to lobby on “federal policies, programs, and funding related to post-secondary education in British Columbia,” and for “increased federal investment” in trades and vocational education and training, and other “emerging-sector programs; and research and innovation” at public universities.

Another laid out plans to register to advocate on the government’s “role in maintaining and improving strong public services including dealing with concerns regarding ongoing job pressures that the public service.”

The registrations comes as the Carney Liberals begin notifying public servants of workforce reductions on Friday as part of its plan to slash the size of the federal public service by 28,000 positions by 2029.

New Registrations

Since Jan. 24th, the aforementioned Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) / Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique (SCFP) was the most registered organization, with four unique filings made on their behalf.

Over that span, Global Public Affairs and Crestview Strategy led all registrant groups with four unique registrations each.

From Jan. 24-30, no lobbyists had more than three unique registrations.

In recent agriculture/trade registrants:

Izumi Aquaculture was registered by Jerry Khouri, a consultant with Pathway Group to discuss the establishment of new aquaculture sites.

Other: Advance Lumber and Pallet Ltd., Canadian Association of Vegetable Growers and Processors 

In recent arts/culture/copyright registrants:

Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) was registered in-house by Brad Lepp, their executive director, for a number of lobbying goals. Primarily to solicit support for investment for theatres via the Canada Council for the Arts. The client engages with decision makers to encourage increasing the funding available to be disseminated through the programs of the Canada Council for the Arts. The client does receive operating funding through the Canada Council for the Arts, but advocates generally on behalf of its member theatres as a whole, not individual applicants or recipients. Additional meetings were held to discuss support for theatres from both the Canadian Arts Training Fund and the Canadian Arts Presentation Fund to encourage increasing the funding available to be disseminated through these programs.

Other: Shaw Festival Theatre, Canada’s Theatre Museum 

In recent defence/security registrants:

The Boeing Company was registered by Simon Polesel, a consultant with Summa Strategies Canada. The primary focus of their lobbying efforts was to build understanding of the client’s Industrial Technological Benefits (ITB) Commitments as a part of the Canada Multi Mission Aircraft procurement awarded to the P-8A Poseidon. Discussions were also held regarding contracts to support Canada’s airborne early warning and control (AEWC) requirements, future fighter lead in training requirements for Canada (FFLIT), and with the Department of National Defence for Medium Heavy Helicopter program and Tactical Aviation Capability Set (nTACs).

In recent energy/environment/climate registrants:

Seaspan Energy was registered by Gregory Loerts, Manuela Boeira, and Raphael Brass, all consultants with Bluesky Strategy Group. The focus of their lobbying efforts was on promoting and assisting with the operational activities of the client as it develops its LNG Bunkering Business on the Pacific Coast.

Other: Hitachi Energy Canada Inc., Global Battery Materials Corp, Nuclea Energy Inc., Johnson Electric Canada, S3R inc., Indaver Ireland Limited, Ecostrat Inc., Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI)

In recent health registrants:

Emergent BioSolutions Canada Inc. was registered by Jodee Mason and Matthew Gardner, both consultants with Counsel Public Affairs Inc. to engage with the government regarding the need for sustainable manufacturing, procurement and stockpiling of medical countermeasures used to diagnose, prevent, or treat diseases related to chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats. Additional discussions were held to discuss changes to the take home naloxone program as well as the client’s eligibility for Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax incentives. The client also sought to engage with Health and National Defence concerning their Winnipeg facility for the production of medical countermeasures.

Other: Bioindustrial Innovation Canada, Breast Cancer Canada, Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation

In recent industry registrants:

Dumont Nickel was registered in-house by Johnna Muinonen, their president, primarily to discuss the importance of supporting infrastructure, innovation, and research and development of critical minerals in Canada. Additional meetings were held to engage with the MPO, NRCAN and other government agencies and officials to seek funding to facilitate the construction of nickel mining and processing infrastructure.

Other: Ethọ́s Lab, M. Lemieux, Prairie Lithium, Newcrest Red Chris Mining Limited

Tech/Telecommunications 

Terrestar Solutions Inc. was registered by JC Raitt, a consultant with Compass Rose Group. The goal of their lobbying effort was to promote Canadian technology and to work with the federal government to replace the need for foreign satellite technology and spectrum allocation, while advancing national sovereignty and domestic infrastructure, Arctic security, a renewed commitment to rural and northern connectivity and ultimately advancing and investing in satellite technology and made-in-Canada innovations.

Other: 2858946 Ontario Inc, BeamLive Technology, eStruxture Data Centres

Transportation:

Purolator Inc. was registered by Christian Parkinson, a consultant with Enterprise Canada to engage with the Government of Canada regarding the Buy Canadian policy and related procurement frameworks, and potential implications for the client.

Of note: CoinFlip, Merit Contractors Association of Canada, Fondation Mira Inc., Canadian Home Builders’ Association, Convenience Industry Council of Canada, National Association of Career Colleges, High Liner Foods Inc., Saguenay, Kidney Foundation of Canada, Consider Canada City Alliance, Cofomo, Drakkar, High Liner foods Inc, Shoppers Drug Mart, Micrologic, Association des fabricants de meubles du Québec, Easter Seals Alberta Society, Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association, McConnell Foundation, Amnesty International Canadian Section (English Speaking), Ontario Council for International Cooperation, The Refugee Centre, Miovision Technologies Incorporated, Public Legal Education Association of Canada, IELTS (The Partners) – Coalition, Couche-Tard, 1151767 AB Ltd. (ToolTronix), Colleges and Institutes Canada, MD Charlton Company Limited, Proofpoint, TRIO Fertility, RJH Architecture + Planning & BuildingIN, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Space Exploration Technologies Company (SpaceX), Kinterra Professional Services Group Ltd., Protein Industries Canada, Trudel Corporation, Interac Corp., Hippowize, Microcrédit Montréal

Communications:

There were 119 communication reports filed during the period between Jan. 24-30.

 Most active client organizations

• Restaurants Canada – 15 Communications
• Paper Excellence Canada – 15 Communications
• G’naadmaagoom Garden River Child and Family Services – 12 Communications
• Canadian Meat Council – 12 Communications
• Magna International Inc. – 8 Communications

 Most active paid lobbyists

• Kelly Higginson for 1 Client – 15 Communications
• Sugiarto Kardiman for 1 Client – 15 Communications
• Kyle Larkin for 1 Client – 12 Communications
• Swamy Kotagiri for 1 Client – 8 Communications
• Rick White for 1 Client – 8 Communications

Most lobbied public office holders

• Roy Karam – Health Canada (4)
• Sebastian Clarke – Employment and Social Development Canada (3)
• Djamel Boumenna – Office of the Quebec Lieutenant (3)
• Sony Perron – Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (3)
• Mélanie Joly – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (3)

Most lobbied government institutions

• House of Commons – 34 Communications
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – 27 Communications
• Natural Resources Canada – 23 Communications
• Indigenous Services Canada – 18 Communications
• Finance Canada – 16 Communications

Most lobbied subject matters

• Aboriginal Affairs – 15 Communications
• Energy – 15 Communications
• Infrastructure – 12 Communications
• Health – 12 Communications
• Child Services – 12 Communications