The organization that operates Halifax’s major airport is lobbying Ottawa on prospective regulatory changes, including new funding models.

The move comes after the Liberal government announced it was exploring potentially privatizing Canada’s major airports.

This was first mentioned in the 2025 budget and reiterated in the 2026 spring economic update. That document said the government is “assessing opportunities to unlock the full value of airports in support of investments in Canada’s long-term growth, including through alternative models of ownership.”

Sabrina Grover and Fred DeLorey, consultants with NorthStar Public Affairs, registered this past week to lobby on behalf of the Halifax International Airport Authority.

According to their registrations with the federal lobbying commissioner, the body wants to discuss with Ottawa how to “advance policy frameworks regarding the modernization of Canada’s airport system, specifically concerning the completion of 50-year ground lease extensions and ground rent formula reforms.”

This would include “sharing perspectives on how potential changes to airport governance, alternative investment models, or alternative ownership structures can best preserve safe operations and maintain local community accountability,” the filings read. 

Aside from the plan to explore alternative ownership models, the government also said in the spring economic update that it was pursuing a modernization of the National Airports System, including exploring 50-year ground lease extensions, overhauling the gross-revenue rent formula, and unlocking avenues for private investment.

The 26 major airports in Canada are owned by Transport Canada and leased out to non-profit airport authorities. The authorities charge fees to airliners using the airports to cover the cost of infrastructure and day-to-day operations.

Grover and DeLorey’s filings also stated that the Halifax authority wanted to discuss federal capital infrastructure allocations for regional gateways, as part of pre-budget consultations. Specifically, the authority wants to create a new Small and Medium Airports Growth and Resilience Program, and an increase to the annual funding for the Airport Capital Assistance Program.

New Registrations

Since July 4, no organizations had more than 3 registrations made on their behalf. 

Since July 4th, Northern Arc Public Affairs led all registrant groups with 7 unique registrations each. They were followed by Counsel Public Affairs Inc. and Sussex Strategy Group who each had 5 unique registrations.  All remaining registrant groups made no more than 3 unique registrations.

From July 4th to July 10th, Emily Braun from Northern Arc Public Affairs led all lobbyists with 6 unique registrations. All remaining lobbyists had no more than 3 unique registrations.

In recent agriculture/trade registrants:

Domingos Meat Packers (O/A Northern Farms) was registered by Daniel Pascucci, a consultant with Rubicon Strategy, with the goal of advocating for financial supports from the federal government that will support the client’s expansion efforts, allowing for the onshoring of pork processing in Ontario and reach of new markets, including across Canada and internationally.

In recent arts/culture/copyright registrants:

The Vancouver Fringe Theatre Society was registered in-house by Duncan Watts-Grant, their executive director, to assist with their application for funding under the Canada Arts Presentation Fund to support independent and emerging theatre in Canada.

In recent defence/security registrants:

CADEX Defence Inc. was registered by Emily Braun, a consultant with Northern Arc Public Affairs, to discuss matters respecting export controls and the Firearm Country Control List (FCCL) as they apply to Canadian small arms manufacturers as well as the structure and membership of the Munitions Supply Program (MSP).

Other: Dominion Dynamics Inc., Lockheed Martin Canada, National Public Safety Corp.

In recent energy/environment/climate registrants:

The Industrial Gas Users Association was registered in-house by Nazim Sebaa, its president, primarily to share the client and their member organizations’ views regarding the development and implementation of federal carbon pricing policies, industrial carbon markets, carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs), and other climate and energy policies affecting Canada’s industrial natural gas users. The group also wants to discuss carbon policies to maintain industrial competitiveness, avoiding duplicative regulatory and administrative burdens, recognizing existing provincial measures, supporting investment in emissions-reduction projects, and promoting practical, cost-effective approaches to achieving Canada’s climate objectives.

Other: CycleCarbone Inc., Les Équipments Pétroliers Claude Pedneault Inc., New Brunswick Power Corporation (NB Power), NextEra Canada Development LP, Renewable Energy Systems Canada Inc., SBI BioEnergy Inc., Transformer Lab, Woodfibre Holdings Ltd., The Atmospheric Fund 

In recent health registrants:

The Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine was registered by Tristan Downe Dewdney, a consultant with Downe Dewdney Strategies Ltd., to lobby on how patient care could be improved by advancing nuclear medicine diagnostics and therapies, enhancing workforce capacity, investing in related infrastructure and equipment, improving isotope supply, expanding patient access, and supporting Canadian research to inform policy and planning.

Other: Ontario Genomics, Parkinson Society British Columbia

In recent Indigenous registrants:

First Nations Market Housing Fund was registered by Emily Szemethy and Susan Smith, both consultants with Bluesky Strategy Group, to advance the phased transfer of responsibility for management of the client.

Other: Aawan Maskwa Ltd., Bearspaw First Nation

In recent industry registrants:

Prysmian Cables & Systems Canada Ltd. was registered by Kathleen Wang, a consultant with McMillan LLP to assist the client in their application of Canadian tariffs and remissions.

Other: Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd., L.C.N. INC.

Tech/Telecommunications 

Global Relay Communications Inc. was registered by Graham Looney, a consultant with Edelman, to understand the federal government’s AI infrastructure and security solutions, policies regarding digital sovereignty and discuss options for data security. 

Other: Cithorumlabs Inc., DXE Technology Canada Co., International Centre of Expertise in Montreal on Artificial Intelligence, Iron Will Innovations Canada Inc.

Transportation:

Other: Genesee & Wyoming Canada Inc., Space Exploration Technologies Company (SpaceX)

Of note: Alinea Land Corporation, BHC Residential & Commercial LLC, Child & Youth Advocacy Centres of Canada, COSTI Immigrant Services/COSTI, Digital Research Alliance of Canada, Distrikt Capital, Equinox Engineering Canada Ltd., FADOQ, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Fintechs Canada, High Art Capital Inc., KBRA Holdings LLC, Metegrity Inc., Mood Disorders Society of Canada, National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco (NCACT), Protein Industries Canada, Qualico Developments (Vancouver) Inc., Secure Future Research Ltd DBA ControlAI, Union Gospel Mission, Women’s Health Collective Canada, www.TrustScience.com Inc.

Communications:

There were 351 communication reports filed during the period between July 4th to July 10th, 2026.

 Most active client organizations

• Canadian Produce Marketing Association – 38 Communications
• Canadian Agri-food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) – 36 Communications
• Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association – 32 Communications
• Vale Canada Limited – 26 Communications
• World Vision Canada – 18 Communications

 Most active paid lobbyists

• Ron Lemaire for 1 Client – 38 Communications
• Darrell Petras for 1 Client – 36 Communications
• Brian Kingston for 1 Client – 32 Communications
• Shaun Usmar for 1 Client – 26 Communications
• Allison Alley for 1 Client – 18 Communications

Most lobbied public office holders

• Fahim Khan – Finance Canada (10)
• Yasmin Atassi – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (9)
• Christina Dailley – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (7)
• Galen Richardson – Privy Council Office (6)
• Cansu Koc – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (5)

Most lobbied government institutions

• House of Commons – 149 Communications
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – 85 Communications
• Finance Canada – 42 Communications
• Natural Resources Canada – 38 Communications
• Global Affairs Canada – 38 Communications

Most lobbied subject matters

• Industry – 247 Communications
• Environment – 201 Communications
• Taxation and Finance – 139 Communications
• Health – 120 Communications
• Agriculture – 104 Communications