Kamal Aboulmagd

A pharmaceutical giant is lobbying the province on drug access and innovative medicines, only months after Premier Doug Ford used a gathering of his provincial and territorial colleagues to muster support for speeding up approvals of life-saving medications and treatments.

was registered this past week by Sarah Letersky, a consultant with Rubicon Strategy.

According to her registration with the integrity commissioner's office, Gilead wants to talk to officials about innovative medicines and impact on drug access and timelines, and post-pandemic recovery plans, "specifically related to liver disease management, cancer, cell therapy implementation, HIV prevention and control and system impact and efficiency in screening and testing."

The company also wants to meet with stakeholders at the economic development, job creation and trade, and Health ministries about the province's "life sciences strategy and impact on the sector, about corporate initiatives, innovation and resourcing in Ontario."

Ford pushes for faster drug approvals at premiers' conference

Back in July, Ford made drug approvals his key priority for the annual Council of the Federation meetings, pointing to Canada's slow pace in getting new drugs on the market compared to its allies. Ontario takes over as chair of the council — which includes all provincial and territorial premiers — in 2025.

"Currently, patients in Canada wait almost two years to access life-saving breakthrough medicines, a year longer than in other developed countries, placing us last in the G7," read a statement from the Premier's Office.

"As Premier Ford takes over as chair of the Council of the Federation, one of his focuses will be doing everything possible to give Canadian patients the same timely access to life-saving treatments as patients in the rest of the world."

College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO)

 led all organizations three unique registrations made on their behalf.

 led all registrant groups, with 10 unique registrations. 

was next with nine unique registrations. The next most active registrant group was 

 followed with six unique registrations. 

From Sept. 14 to 21, Sarah Letersky from 

led all lobbyists with eight unique registrations. She was followed by Aaron Scheewe of 

 who had three unique registrations each.

 was registered by Julie O’Driscoll, a consultant with GT and Company, with the goal of the company's lobbying effort sharing information with government officials about the commercial bread industry and the company's decision to commence a claim against Maple Leaf Foods to hold it accountable for damages.

In recent arts/culture/copyright registrants:

was registered by Gordon Quaiattini, a consultant with Maple Leaf Strategies, primarily to seek funding renewal from the Ministry of Education as part of a pre-budget consultation. Additionally, the group wants to explore other possible funding support from the provincial government in support of their program delivery including culture, Indigenous reconciliation and welcoming new citizens to Ontario.

was registered in-house by Sean McAdam, its president. The main goal of their registration was to propose changes to the Planning Act to allow for the development of complete communities with specific emphasis on effecting changes related to the approval of the proposed Lakeport Beach project in Alnwick/Haldimand Township. It also wanted to discuss pursuing policy remedies to achieve permission to develop land it currently holds.

 Rycom, Caivan Communities, EverCAN Housing Solutions, Ontario Real Estate Association, MarshallZehr Group Inc, Quality Engineered Homes Ltd., Ontario Home Builders' Association

In recent energy/environment/climate registrants:

The Canadian Renewable Energy Association

 was registered by Bonnie Hiltz and Chris Benedetti, both consultants with Sussex Strategy Group Inc., to continue its work promoting low cost energy solutions from non-emitting resources to ensure reliable, low carbon electricity for Ontarians. This includes advocacy on Independent Electricity System Operator procurements and recontracting, market rule changes, and planning, as well as permitting and land use policies impacting project development.

Ontario Waterpower Association, Calpine Corporation, Alectra Inc., Imperial Oil, Association of Major Power Consumers in Ontario (AMPCO), Hydro One Networks Inc., Wasteco, Imperial Oil Limited,AtkinsRealis (formerly SNC-Lavalin Inc.), Parkland Fuel Corporation, Electricity Distributors Association, RAMO Group Inc.

was registered in-house by Martin Ares, their CEO. The primary focus of their registration was to have discussions with officials regarding changes to the classes of eligible persons, designations of listed drug products, and interchangeability of drug products under the Ontario Drug Benefit Act (ODBA) and Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act (DIDFA) Regulations. It also wanted to promote greater use of cost-saving generic and biosimilar prescription medicines and to help establish a more stable, predictable business environment for the research, development, manufacture and sale of generic and biosimilar pharmaceutical products in Ontario.

: Boom Health Inc., AbbVie Corporation, College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO), Alexion Pharma Canada Corp., CareRx, Indivior Canada Ltd, Innovative Medicines Canada (Médicaments novateurs Canada), Janssen Inc., Ontario Hospital Association, Takeda Canada Inc., Acadia Pharmaceuticals Canada, Becton Dickinson Canada Inc., Novavax Inc., Canadian Red Cross, Ontario Medical Association, Crohn's and Colitis Canada (formerly Crohns and Colitis Foundation of Canada), GE HealthCare Technologies Canada (formerly General Electric Canada)

The United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising

 was registered by Shawn Berezin, a consultant with The CCS Group to discuss settling its 1990 land claim. The land in question is located on Manitoulin Island. Additionally, the group is seeking funding for a new drug treatment program for 13- to 19-year olds.

 was registered in-house by Chris Hodgson, its president, with the main goal of monitoring for changes to regulations that impact the mining industry.

: Petro Plastics Corporation Ltd, New Gold Inc., Kinross Gold Corporation, ElectraSteel Incorporated, Toyota Canada Inc.

was registered in-house by Sabrina Geremia, its vice-president and country managing director, with the main goal of communication with government officials about the Libel and Slander Act, as well as the Election Finances Act and Bill 194 (Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, 2024).

 X Corp, HCL Canada Inc., SAS Institute (Canada) Inc., Treatment AI, Motorola Solutions Canada Inc., Ericsson Canada Inc.

 was registered by Chris Benedetti, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group, to advise the government on matters pertaining to the development and management of generation assets in Ontario.

 407 ETR Concession Company Limited, Verra Mobility, Honda Canada Inc.

VinFast Auto Canada Inc., Qualtrics International Inc., Blue Triton, Woodbine Entertainment Group, Axon Public Safety Canada, Ontario Community Support Association, L'Arche Sudbury Inc., Canadian Lenders Association, Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals, Travelers Canada, Dart Canada Inc., CLAC, Nespresso Canada, The Home Depot Canada, Nobleton Landowners Group, DoorDash Inc., Reliance Comfort Limited Partnership, Moose Hide Campaign Development Society, Impala Canada, Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (formerly New Self-Regulatory Organization of Canada), Animal Justice, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association, Triple P Parenting Canada Inc, Mortgage and Title Insurance Industry Association of Canada, Lakehead University, Sun Life Financial, College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, London Development Institute, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario, Loblaw Companies Limited, OPTrust, Niagara College, The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM)

According to her registration with the integrity commissioner's office, Gilead wants to talk to officials about innovative medicines and impact on drug access and timelines.

Who's Lobbying for Whom: Gilead lobbying the province on drug access

Read this for free.