Environment advocacy dominates in record-breaking 2023 for lobbying

Environment-related advocacy was a hot topic in another record-breaking year for federal lobbying in 2023, spurred on in part by a push for the Liberals to follow through on commitments related to climate change and emissions before the next election, according to the program director for Environmental Defence Canada. “We want to see this emissions cap . We want to see the clean electricity regulations, and we want to see the government deliver on its climate agenda,” said Keith Brooks. “These pieces that we're tracking are things the government needs to fulfill during this mandate. I think that's kind of why 2023 was busy, because we've got enough time since the promises were made that we're really at the point we're expecting these things to be delivered.” Federal advocacy reached a new high in 2023, with 33,327 communication reports filed for the year, based on a search of the federal lobbyists’ registry on Jan. 18, 2024. The total for last year exceeded the previous record-holding year of 2022, which concluded with 31,481 communication reports filed. The most pressing topic on the minds of lobbyists in 2023 was the environment, with that subject appearing in 6,540 communication reports, followed by economic development with 5,687 reports. Environmental Defence Canada lead the charge on the environment file and contributed more communication reports than any other organization for lobbying activity in 2023. Brooks told The Hill Times there was a lot happening on the environment file last year with one of the highlights being on June 13 when Bill S-5, the Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, received royal assent. Under the legislation, the federal government recognizes that Canadians have the right to a healthy environment. Most of the environmental issues that were priorities for Environmental Defence in 2023 will continue to be important in 2024, according to Brooks. These priorities include discussions surrounding Bill C-50, the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act, which passed second reading in the House on Oct. 23, 2023, and is currently under consideration by the House Natural Resources Committee. The controversial bill would mandate the federal government to create five-year plans to transition energy sector workers into green energy jobs. Aliénor Rougeot, Environmental Defence’s program manager for climate and energy, called the bill a “step in the right direction,” in a statement posted on the organization’s website on July 4, although she also raised concerns. Rougeot argued that without a suitable definition of “sustainable jobs” in the legislation, the federal government would not be obligated to ensure that jobs created for the transition are in industries “compatible with Canada reaching its climate goals.” Bill C-50 has had a rocky transition so far through the House, which included the Conservatives attempting to delay the bill by putting forward nearly 20,000 amendments on Dec. 6, 2023, as previously reported in The Hill Times. Conservative Leaccording ader Pierre Poilievre (Carleton, Ont.) vowed in December that Conservatives would force “all-night, round-the-clock voting” to keep Parliament sitting over Christmas if the Liberal government did not scrap parts of its carbon tax, as reported by CBC News on Dec. 6. Another priority for Environmental Defence in 2023 was discussions related to the federal government’s long-awaited oil and gas emissions cap framework, released by Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault (Laurier-Sainte-Marie, Que.) on Dec. 7. According to the framework, the fossil fuels industry will need to cap emissions at 35 to 38 per cent below 2019 levels by 2030. To offer some flexibility, the plan also allows facilities to buy a limited amount of “carbon offset credits,” or to contribute to a decarbonization fund which would permit them to emit up to a level about 20 to 23 per cent below 2019 levels. “The Government of Canada’s plan to cap and reduce emissions from Canada’s largest emitting sector is ambitious, but practical,” said Guilbeault in an Environment Canada press release. “Canadians have always risen to the challenge of building a brighter future, and this greenhouse gas pollution cap will help Canada compete and succeed in a world that is moving to a clean-energy future.” The federal government promised to continue to engage with provinces and territories, oil and gas companies, Indigenous organizations, and other stakeholders to develop an emissions cap “that will ensure the oil and gas sector's emissions decline on the trajectory needed to meet the shared goal of net-zero emissions by 2050,” and expects to publish draft regulations of the oil and gas emissions cap in mid-2024, according to the government's Environment and natural resources webpage. Keith Brooks, program director for Environmental Defence Canada, says 'we need to see the draft regulations,' for the oil and gas emissions cap, which is expected in mid-2024. Photograph courtesy of Keith Brooks “We need to see the draft regulations, we need to see the laws, the new legislation moving through the House, getting to the stage of completion,” said Brooks. “I think when we get to the next election—whenever that comes—I would think that the government would want to be in a position where it's able to say that it has fulfilled its promises.” Discussions related to canola were also prominent in 2023, with the Canadian Canola Growers Association and the Canola Council of Canada both finishing the year among the top 10 most active advocacy organizations, in terms of communication reports filed. Troy Sherman, the director of government relations for the Canola Council called 2023 “an extremely busy year,” citing priorities including international trade and market access, sustainability of biofuels, and transportation issues. “We talked a lot more in 2023 about transportation, and the importance of a reliable and resilient supply chain. We export 90 per cent of what we produce, and we have to be both known worldwide as having sustainable supply, but also being a sustainable supplier. Transportation is absolutely key to that,” said Sherman. A big priority for the Canola Council during 2023, and going into 2024, is discussions around the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), according to Sherman. CUSMA is a free trade agreement between the three member nations, which entered into force on July 1, 2020, and which is scheduled for a mandated review in 2026. Troy Sherman, the director of government relations for the Canola Council of Canada, says the joint review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement in 2026 will require 'a whole-of-government, team Canada approach.' Photograph courtesy of the Canola Council of Canada “The United States and Mexico are two of our top markets for canola, and in 2024 we're going to see election in both of those countries,” said Sherman. “We think that there really needs to be a whole-of-government, team Canada approach to this CUSMA joint review and renewal. We're very eager to work with the federal government on that, given the importance of both the U.S. and Mexican markets for Canadian canola.” The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is also among the most active advocacy organizations in 2023, and filed 190 communication reports for the year, based on a search of the federal lobbyists’ registry on Jan. 18. David Cooper, vice-president of government relations for the CIJA, told The Hill Times that the organization’s advocacy in 2023 included a focus on addressing online hate, and growing antisemitism within Canada. The CIJA is one of more than 30 groups comprising the Coalition to Combat Online Hate. On May 15, 2023, the coalition expressed concern about “repeated delays” for the introduction of legislation to combat online hate, in a letter to then-Heritage minister and current Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez (Honoré-Mercier, Que.), posted on X. The coalition cited a Liberal party promise to introduce legislation to combat online hate within the first 100 days following the 2021 federal election, with that deadline later extended to March 2023. With “no stated plan to tackle online hate” yet announced, the coalition members called on Rodriguez to table an online harms bill quickly. “The longer we wait, the more online platforms will continue to be a space where impunity rules and those who promote hate hide themselves behind their computer screens,” reads the coalition’s letter. “Our communities are still the targets of online hate, with real-life consequences, especially for our youth.” During a cabinet meeting in Ottawa, Justice Minister Arif Virani (Parkdale—High Park, Ont.) said that legislation to address online hate remains “an absolute priority,” for the Liberal government, as reported on Nov. 21, 2023, by CTV News. Virani said that the war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in an increase in hateful online rhetoric, which manifested into violent attacks on religious and community groups in cities such as Toronto and Montreal, according to the CTV News report. An Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups launched a surprise on Israel that killed about 1,400 people, mostly civilians. Since the start of the conflict, Canada has experienced a rise of antisemitism, including firebombing of Jewish institutions in Montreal, according to Cooper. A synagogue and Jewish community centre were fire bombed in Montreal overnight between Nov. 6-7, 2023, resulting in minor damage to the buildings but no injuries, as reported by Global News on Nov. 7. David Cooper, vice-president of government relations for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, says that his group’s advocacy in 2023 included a focus on addressing online hate, and growing antisemitism within Canada. Photograph courtesy of the CIJA “What we've seen in Canada is the firebombing of synagogues, the shooting at schools, people demonstrating in front of Jewish businesses, in front of Jewish institutions, that have nothing to do with the State of Israel. That's deeply problematic, and encouraging the government to speak out about that,” said Cooper. “Freedom of speech and freedom to demonstrate is something that we believe is absolutely important in Canada, but directing it against the Jewish community that is not responsible, or doesn't speak for the State of Israel, is something that we find to be deeply problematic.” In 2024, Cooper said the CIJA will “continue to have conversations as we move forward on the issue of online harms.” “From our perspective, we would like Canada to return to its traditional role as a friend and ally of Israel and to stand up for the Canadian Jewish community as it faces unprecedented antisemitism,” he said. jcnockaert@hilltimes.com Most active advocacy groups in 2023 OrganizationCommunication reportsEnvironmental Defence Canada263Canadian Canola Growers Association221Federation of Canadian Municipalities216The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs190Canola Council of Canada187Canadian Chamber of Commerce179TELESAT Canada166National Council of Canadian Muslims164Canadian Cattle Association162Canadian Labour Congress162The above table shows the organizations which filed the most communication reports in 2023. Based on a search of the federal lobbyists’ registry on Jan. 18, 2024. Top subject matter discussed in 2023 Subject MatterCommunication reports totalEnvironment6,540Economic Development5,687Industry4,672Energy4,573Health3,776Climate3,285Taxation and Finance3,144Agriculture2,975Transportation2,881Budget2,874The above table shows the most popular subject matter discussed in lobbying in 2023, based on that subject being listed in communication reports. A total of 33,327 communication reports were filed for the year, setting a new annual record. Information courtesy of the federal lobbyists’ registry. Most lobbied federal ministers in 2023 Federal ministerCommunication reportsEnergy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson203Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne171Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault158Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault111Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland101Housing Minister Sean Fraser90Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay86Immigration Minister Marc Miller81Minister of Labour and Seniors Seamus O'Regan74Minister of Northern Affairs Dan Vandal74The above table shows the federal ministers who appeared in the most communication reports filed on the federal lobbyists’ registry for lobbying activity that occurred in 2023. Information courtesy of the federal lobbyists’ registry.

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Environment advocacy dominates in record-breaking 2023 for lobbying

Draft regulations of the Liberal government's oil and gas emissions cap are expected to be published in mid-2024.

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