Quebec’s largest capital development network is lobbying Ottawa on the treatment of their savings products.

The Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs et des travailleuses du Québec or FTQ has been registered to lobby the federal government for several years, with president and CEO Janie C. Béïque leading the organization since 2021.

This past week, the FTQ updated its registration with the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying to include a new lobbying ask: regulatory amendments that clarifying the treatment of their certain transactions and savings products, including the “conditions applicable to their administration and tax treatment.”

That was the same ask in three identical new registrations filed this week by consultants from Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP. The Canada Revenue Agency and Finance Canada are the only two listed targets of these lobbying efforts.

Created by the Quebec government in 1983, the FTQ operates by selling shares and using those funds to invest in provincial companies and projects. Shares are a popular investment tool for because of their favourable tax treatment, though they can’t be sold until retirement, with some exceptions.

New Registrations

Since July 18, the aforementioned Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs et des travailleuses du Québec (FTQ) was the most registered organization, with four unique registrations made on their behalf. 

Over the span, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP led all registrant groups with five filings. They were followed by The CCS Group and Sussex Strategy Group who each had four.

From July 18 to 24, no lobbyists had more than three unique registrations.

In recent agriculture/trade registrants:

The Informal Coalition of Agri-Processors was registered by Tyler Bjornson, a consultant with T. Bjornson & Associates Consulting Inc., to provide feedback on the federal government’s carbon pricing benchmark.

Other: BC Seafood Alliance, Cereals Canada

In recent defence/security registrants:

EOS Aero Inc. was registered by Craig (Casper) Donovan, a consultant with Bowline Insight and Analysis Inc., with the goal of communicating with the government regarding funding for clean tech aerospace programs and potential defence related technologies.

Other: Bell Textron, Inc., North Vector Dynamics Inc.

In recent energy/environment/climate registrants:

Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. was registered by Todd Arkell and Cody Mallette, both consultants with Northern Star Partners Canada Inc., to advocate for a solar and diesel hybridization energy storage pilot project in the Acho Dene Koe community (Northwest Territories), undertaken in partnership with Malahat Energy Systems. Specifically, the company is seeking federal funding and program support. 

Other: Imperial Oil Limited, Marinvest Energy, NextStar Energy Inc., Nuclea Energy Inc, Pacific Energy Corporation (Canada) Limited, StormFisher Hydrogen, MULTI-MATERIAL RECYCLING INC., Wilder Institute

In recent health registrants:

Bausch Health, Canada Inc. was registered by Catherine Ferron, a consultant with TACT, with the goal of raising awareness among federal government representatives about the role of the Canadian life sciences and pharmaceutical manufacturing sector and its contribution to economic growth, job creation, investment, exports, and innovation. The company also wants to discuss held federal policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at supporting an environment conducive to innovation, strengthening national manufacturing capacity, increasing the competitiveness of the Canadian life sciences sector, promoting investment in pharmaceutical manufacturing, and strengthening the resilience of Canada’s drug supply.

Other: ALS Society of Canada, Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine 

In recent Indigenous registrants:

Deer Lake First Nation School was registered by Shawn Berezin and Ron Gersh, both consultants with TheCCSGroup, to discuss funding for a feasibility study to support the expansion of the existing Deer Lake First Nation school.

Other: Aboriginal Sports Circle, Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, Enoch Cree Nation, Flying Dust First Nation, Indspire, Kivalliq Inuit Association, Wiidookaage Waabandan

In recent industry registrants:

Trekor Metals Limited was registered by Stuart McDonald, their president & CEO. The focus of their lobbying effort was to advocate for federal funding programs, investment tax credits, policy and regulatory improvements aimed at supporting research & development, innovation, decarbonization, productivity, and expansion of mining activities within the mining sector under various government programs and frameworks.

Other: CIF Metal Ltee, Dryden Fibre Canada, Max Aicher (North America), Pine Point Mining, Yukon Chamber of Mines

Tech/Telecommunications 

Wafr Technologies Ltd. was registered by Taylor Kyte and Curtis O’Nyon, both consultants with Global Public Affairs, with the main goal of briefing the federal government on cooling infrastructure technology for AI data centres, and exploring alignment with federal AI infrastructure priorities and potential funding, procurement, or program support as well as the role of cooling infrastructure in supporting the buildout of AI and data centre capacity across Canada, including potential economic development and investment considerations. Additional meetings were held to advocate for federal research and development funding programs relevant to thermal systems and cooling technology innovation for large-scale computing infrastructure.

Other: GitLab Inc, Philips Canada, Shopify Inc.

Of note: 2249487 Ontario Ltd. (c.o.b. as Ballroom Bowl), Aliya’s Foods Limited, Association des propriétaires de boisés de Beauce, City of Barrie, Fonds de solidarité des travailleurs et des travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), Moore Sales Company Ltd., NGIF Accelerator, Omniflex Hose & Equipment, Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN), Proterial America, Ltd., Saskatchewan Mustard Development Commission, The Corporation of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, University of New Brunswick, Valard Construction LP, Vitrerie Longueuil

Communications:

There were 160 communication reports filed during the period between July 18 to 24. 

 Most active client organizations

• Cenovus Energy Inc. – 12 Communications
• Manitoba Hydro – 12 Communications
• Philips Canada – 11 Communications
• The Canada Life Assurance Company – 9 Communications
• Frontier Lithium Inc. – 9 Communications

 Most active paid lobbyists

• Jonathan McKenzie for 1 Client – 12 Communications
• Allan Danroth for 1 Client – 12 Communications
• Imad Fadil for 1 Client – 11 Communications
• Trevor Walker for 1 Client – 9 Communications
• David Harney for 1 Client – 9 Communications

Most lobbied public office holders

• Fahim Khan – Finance Canada (8)
• Jeff Labonté – Natural Resources Canada (5)
• Miles Wu – Employment and Social Development Canada (4)
• Kelsen Vallee – Privy Council Office (4)
• Judy Meltzer – Environment and Climate Change Canada (3)

Most lobbied government institutions

• House of Commons – 40 Communications
• Finance Canada – 29 Communications
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – 23 Communications
• Natural Resources Canada – 19 Communications
• Privy Council Office – 15 Communications

Most lobbied subject matters

• Taxation and Finance – 62 Communications
• Environment – 47 Communications
• Industry – 47 Communications
• Health – 46 Communications
• Energy – 45 Communications