Privacy rights for voters was the focus of a new lobbyist filing.

Ronald Davis, a consultant with Fogler, Rubinoff LLP, registered to lobby this past week for the Centre for Digital Rights / Centre Pour Les Droits Numériques, a not-for-profit that says it “aims to promote public awareness of digital rights issues related to the data-driven economy.”

The focus of the lobbying effort, according to the mandatory filing with the Office of the Lobbying Commissioner, was the government’s tax cut and affordability legislation, known as Bill C-4, specifically Part 4 of the legislation which amends the Canada Elections Act to make changes to the requirements relating to political parties’ policies for the protection of personal information.

The group also wants to talk about privacy and data protection regimes applicable to federal political parties.

Bill C-4 passed through the House just before the holiday break. The Senate will start its study of the legislation in the New Year.

All consultant lobbyists must register with the commissioner’s office. Those lobbying for their direct employer must register if that lobby work constitutes a significant part of their duties. Based on an interpretation from the commissioner, these in-house lobbyists must register if lobbying takes up at least 40 hours of their time over a four-week period. That number will drop to eight hours starting in January.

Lobbyists must also submit reports to the commissioner’s office detailing any communications with designated public office holders.

New Registrations

Since Dec. 13th, no organizations had more than three registrations made on their behalf. 

Over that span, Crestview Strategy were the most active registrant groups, with 13 unique registrations. 

From Dec. 13-19, no lobbyists had more than three unique registrations.

This is the last lobby wrap of 2025. We’ll resurface with a new edition every week starting in January.

In recent agriculture/trade registrants:

Cereals Canada was registered by Danya Vered, a consultant with StrategyCorp Inc. to encourage the development of infrastructure and innovation initiatives that will allow the Canadian agriculture and cereals industries to continue to be world leaders in science-based research and development, while ensuring the maintenance of their competitive export position into the future.

Other: Voluntary Forest Certification Canada

In recent defence/security registrants:

MHI RJ Aviation ULC was registered by Anshul Tipnis, a consultant with Crestview Strategy, with the main goal of advancing procurement opportunities with the Government of Canada for aircraft related services and discussing partnership models that maximize the retention of advanced intellectual property and technological leadership within Canada. Discussions were also held with officials regarding policy frameworks that best support the transition of Canadian-led aerospace R&D from prototype to full-scale industrial application, and to support the adoption of technologies that deliver significant and sustained economic advantage for regional aviation operators in Canada. The client also sought to brief officials on the strategic national economic benefits associated with next-generation platform development, specifically detailing how the OEM platform development and the large-scale procurement initiatives.

Other: D-TA System Inc.

In recent energy/environment/climate registrants:

Moment Energy was registered by Felix Wong, a consultant with PAA Advisory, with the main focus of engaging with the Government of Canada to build awareness of the client’s innovative energy storage technology and to identify potential incentives and other opportunities to support the company’s investment into new advanced manufacturing capacity within Canada. The client also sought to discuss the implementation and eligibility criteria of applicable Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits (ITCs).

Other: Carbon Engineering ULC, Carbon Upcycling Technologies Inc., Climate Proof Canada

In recent health registrants:

Merck Canada Inc. was registered by Elaine Larsen Wells, a consultant with Global Public Affairs to advocate for the domestic and international trade policies that support the biopharmaceutical industry, including competitive and predictable intellectual property protection, product regulation and patient access to medicines. Additional discussions were held around policies and programs as it relates to vaccine approval, procurement and public awareness of immunization.

Other: Canadian Red Cross, McKesson Canada, Medical Council of Canada

In recent Indigenous registrants:

The Chiefs of Ontario was registered by Sarah Smith, a consultant with Crestview Strategy to facilitate meetings with public office holders for a number of topics, primarily around environmental protections and safe drinking water for First Nations communities including through the reintroduction of Bill C-61 An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands. Additional meetings were held to support residential school commemoration, combat denialism and implement the Murray report obligations. This work includes proposing amendments to Bill C-9 An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime and access to religious or cultural places).

Other: First Nations With Schools Collective (FNWSC)

In recent industry registrants:

New Gold Inc. was registered by Bridget Howe and Cameron Doherty, both consultants with Crestview Strategy to arrange meetings and monitor potential government policy initiatives with regard to mining and Investment Canada Act approval.

Other: Avalon Advanced Materials, Elevra Lithium, Prairie Lithium, Wyloo Ring of Fire Ltd.

Tech/Telecommunications 

Nokia Canada Inc. was registered by Sara Gangbar, a consultant with Crestview Strategy, primarily to engage with the federal government to mitigate ongoing impacts of global tariffs on equipment. The client also sought to explore opportunities to expand its R&D footprint and talent pool in Canada. 

Other: TikTok Canada

Transportation:

LOGISTEC Marine Services ULC was registered in-house by Sean Pierce, their CEO, to facilitate discussions with the federal government regarding funding for expansion, diversification, and Arctic sovereignty initiatives. 

Other: Detroit International Bridge Company, LLC, Sultran Ltd.

Of note: 360°kids, 7-Eleven Canada Inc., Association of Maintenance Contractors of Canada, Canada Goose Inc., Canada Truck Operators Association, Canadian Association of Recycling Industries (CARI), Clairvest, collectives / Réseau de coopération des entreprises d’économie sociale en aide à domicile Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Dolomite international, Etsy, Inc, FireSwarm Solutions, Forward Canada, Hullmark Asset Management Ltd, Information and Communications Technology Council, Iron Block 103 Corporation, Octasic Inc., Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Membership, Partage au Masculin, Pelorus VC, Queen’s University, Service d’interprétation visuelle et tactile, Smurfit Westrock, Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology, The Canadian SHIELD Institute for Public Policy, Women’s Legal Education & Action Fund (LEAF), Youth Culture Inc.

Communications:

There were 3,603 communication reports filed during the period between Dec. 13 to 19.

 Most active client organizations

• The Mining Association of Canada – 113 Communications
• Canadian Labour Congress – 62 Communications
• Canadian Dental Association – 62 Communications
• Canadian Produce Marketing Association – 54 Communications
• Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation – 51 Communications

 Most active paid lobbyists

• Abbey Martynes for 3 Clients – 84 Communications
• Beatrice Bruske for 1 Client – 62 Communications
• Ron Lemaire for 1 Client – 54 Communications
• Brian Kingston for 1 Client – 47 Communications
• Joshua Laughren for 1 Client – 46 Communications

Most lobbied public office holders

• Galen Richardson – Privy Council Office (38)
• Yasmin Atassi – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (30)
• Dave Epp – House of Commons (22)
• Salma Zahid – House of Commons (21)
• Kendal Hembroff – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (21)

Most lobbied government institutions

• House of Commons – 1,387 Communications
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada – 566 Communications
• Natural Resources Canada – 255 Communications
• Finance Canada – 248 Communications
• Senate of Canada – 217 Communications

Most lobbied subject matters

• Taxation and Finance – 91 Communications
• Aboriginal Affairs  – 79 Communications
• Employment and Training – 79 Communications
• Economic Development – 63 Communications
• Education – 61 Communications