Lobby Wrap: Food, forestry and fish eyes on Ottawa

Welcome to the Lobby Wrap for the week of June 27 to July 3.

With the House officially adjourned, lobbying levels remain low with Agriculture leading the way with 21 per cent of new registrations.

With a nearly a quarter registrants related to Agriculture, this week’s lobby wrap saw companies like Summit Earthworks, BC Salmon Purse Seine Association, Les Tourbières Berger Ltée, Nytro Distribution Lp., Rayonier A.M. Canada, Société en nom collectif, and the TorchLight Bioresources Inc.

The trend comes just weeks after Parliament passed Bill C-30, which expanded the federal government’s ability to consider economic and food security when making certain regulatory decisions related to pesticides and food production. The legislation sparked debate over whether Ottawa is shifting toward a more flexible regulatory approach at a time when industries are pushing for faster approvals, and greater support for major projects.

BACKGROUND: Critics say C-30 gives cabinet too much power over food safety. Feds say changes target disruptions

The BC Salmon Purse Seine Association is an organization representing commercial salmon fishing industry in British Columbia. They’re seeking to engage the government on Pacific salmon governance, harvest opportunities and fisheries management plans as Ottawa advances its broader Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative – including the transition away from open-net pen salmon farming and efforts to rebuild wild salmon stocks.

The strategy also focused on transforming fisheries management and retired “more than 575 commercial salmon licences,” reducing the total number of eligible licences by over 43 per cent to improve longterm sustainability.

Meanwhile, Rayonier A.M. Canada, a subsidiary of Rayonier Advanced Materials based in Florida, is lobbying efforts to include discussions around federal support for projects at its Témiscaming, Quebec, facility. In July 2024, the company closed its High Purity Cellulose plant for an indefinite period, prompting 275 layoffs. The company is also engaging government officials on greenhouse gas regulations affecting the pulp and paper sector and potential access to federal grants and contribution programs. The registration also comes as resources and manufacturing industries continue to push Ottawa for support amid ongoing trade uncertainty.

New Registrations

Since June 27th, no organizations had more than 3 registrations made on their behalf.

Since June 27th, Sussex Strategy Group and Vantage Canada led all registrant groups with 4 unique registrations each. All remaining registrant groups made no more than 3 unique registrations.

From June 27th to July 3rd, no lobbyists had more than 3 unique registrations.

In recent agriculture/trade registrants:

Summit Earthworks was registered by Laura Kurkimaki, Madison Kuchar, and Richard Mahoney, all consultants with Vantage Canada LP, to discuss improving regulatory and policy conditions for contaminated soil facilities.

Other: BC Salmon Purse Seine Association, Les Tourbières Berger Ltée, Nytro Distribution Lp., Rayonier A.M. Canada, Société en nom collectif, TorchLight Bioresources Inc.

In recent arts/culture/copyright registrants:

MacKenzie Art Gallery was registered by Stefania Valente Gaudrault, a consultant with PAA Advisory | Conseils, to explore avenues for federal infrastructure support for facility renewal projects.

In recent energy/environment/climate registrants:

Manitoba Hydro was registered Dario Dimitriev, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group, to support the client’s engagement efforts with the federal government in providing feedback on several policies and programs under development, including several Investment Tax Credits, the Smart Renewable Electrification Pathways Program, and the Smart Grid Program, among others.

Other: Ballard Power Systems Inc., BC Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (o/a NorthX Climate Tech), Clean Economy Fund, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, Canadian Coastal Research Society

In recent health registrants:

Ontario Genomics was registered by Lorne Geller, a consultant with GW Group. The focus of their lobbying effort was to communicate with the government to discuss investments in genomics-based research, talent development, and commercialization that deliver economic and social benefits to Ontarians across health, agriculture, food, environment, mining, and forestry, and advance the province’s bioeconomy strategy. This includes seeking capital funding for a new biomanufacturing facility in Ontario, as well as operational funding for existing programs.

Other: Covista Inc., Thornhill Medical

In recent Indigenous registrants:

Nukik Corporation was registered by David Timm, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group, as the client is seeking repayable and non-repayable contributions towards the development of the Kivalliq Hydro-Fibre Link.

Other: Tciman Limited Partnership, Conseil de la Première Nation des Innus Essipit, Aawan Maskwa Ltd., James Smith Cree Nation 100, Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council

In recent industry registrants:

Fox River Resources Corporation was registered by Brad Duguid, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group, as the client is seeking federal support for the Martisan Phosphate project.

Other: Nukik Corporation, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

Tech/Telecommunications

Ciena Canada was registered by Sébastien Chamberland, a consultant with the Capital Hill Group Inc., primarily to communicate with public office holders on the government’s need for modernizing, securing, and building the resilience of telecommunications networks and critical digital infrastructure. These efforts will include showcasing the client’s capabilities in optical networks, high-capacity transport, routing and switching, network automation, secure connectivity, cloud connectivity, and support for government digital infrastructure.

Other: 10138029 Canada inc.Cyberdefense.ai / 10138029 Canada inc. Cyberdefense.ai

Transportation:

Enstructure LLC was registered by Dan Lovell, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group, to raise awareness among government officials of its business activities and expansion plans in Canada. These discussions are intended to provide information about the company, its operations, and its growth prospects in Canada, while maintaining a constructive dialogue with relevant authorities.

Other: None

Of note: Aquatic Sport Council, Blackstone Inc., BRANDT ROCK INVESTMENT CORPORATION, Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts, Canadian Payments Association (dba Payments Canada) / Association canadienne des paiements (s/n Paiements Canada), Chambre de commerce de la MRC de Rivière-du-Loup, Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia (Operating as Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia), Daily Bread Food Bank, Equinox Engineering Canada Ltd. ,FreeBalance, FreeBalance, L’Inis (Institut National de L’Image et du Son), Lake Simcoe South Shore Residents Association, Les Produits du Québec, Lost Canadian Association, Systecon Services, We’re Here for You Canada

Communications:

There were 133 communication reports filed during the period between June 27th to July 3rd, 2026.

Most active client organizations