Kamal Aboulmagd

In the wake of revelations about its Windsor plant — first reported by 

 was the one of the most active organizations on the provincial lobbying front this week.

was named in the new most filings, with four registrations made on their behalf. But NextStar Energy Inc. and 

Umicore Rechargeable Battery Materials Canada Inc. 

were next with three unique registrations each.

Nexstar, a collaboration between Stellantis and LG, has come under fire over the past few weeks, started by reporting from 

earlier in the month that local politicians and union members are concerned that the company's under-construction plant will end up hiring temporary foreign workers at the facility, rather than members of the local workforce.

Union, politicians raising concerns that government-supported Stellantis-LG battery plant will use temporary foreign workers

The $5-billion plan, which will manufacture batteries for electric vehicles, is set to open in 2025. Nextstar says it will employ more than 2,500 employees across the battery manufacturing process.

The federal and Ontario governments announced this past summer they would offer up to $15-billion in tax breaks to keep the plant in Windsor. The announcement came after construction was paused earlier in the year due to the plant operators’ demands to negotiate a deal for funding in order to match what the United States would offer through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Of that money, Ontario would provide $5 billion, with the other $10 billion coming from Ottawa.

 first reporting, countless other outlets have followed suit with stories and the Conservatives and NDP led a successful push to start a committee study into the plant. The House industry committee agreed last week to a motion that calls upon the ministers of finance, immigration, trade and employment, the Parliamentary Budget Officer, the CEO of NextStar Energy Danies Lee, Executive Director of Canada’s Building Trades Union Sean Strickland and “all other witnesses deemed relevant by the committee” to testify.

NextStar Energy Inc. was registered by Laura Grosman, Matthew Gibson, and Will Stewart, all consultants with Hill+Knowlton Strategies. The goal of their registrations was to continue discussing progress to date on the federal government and Ontario government’s partnership with NextStar on the battery plant in Windsor.

led all consultant groups with seven unique registrations. 

followed with six registrations each. Next up was 

followed with three registrations. All remaining registrant groups had between 

Over the lasts week, Alexandra Rodgers of 

led all lobbyists with five unique registrations. She was followed by Amir Remtulla of 

 who made three registrations. Lastly, Yaron Gersh of 

 was registered by Amir Remtulla, a consultant with Amir Remtulla Inc. for the purpose of attempting to secure an Minister's Zoning Order in favor of 221 Church Street in Ajax in order to bring 1,500 new full time jobs and ~$600M of net new investment into the region.

 was registered by Bliss Baker, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group in an effort to support the permitting process to develop townhomes in the Orillia area.

was registered by Natalie Dash, a consultant with Campbell Strategies Inc. The primary goal of the registration was to ensure that potential EMF increases from electrifying the Union Station rail corridor do not have unintended impacts on surrounding buildings. Additionally, the group wants to participate in Ontario's property assessment and taxation review as well as Ontario's legislative and regulatory changes to increase housing supply. They also want to have discussions regarding a new financial agreement for the City of Toronto and the role of commercial development in supporting Toronto’s future.

Farhi Holdings Corporation, Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd., Residences at Sugar Wharf Ltd., Nobleton Landowners Group

In recent energy/environment/climate registrants:

was registered by Chad Rogers, a consultant with Crestview Strategy to conduct introductory meetings to explore opportunities and provincial policies or programs related to natural gas projects and their development and inter-provincial electricity transmission policies within the province of Ontario.

 was registered by Joyce Mankarios, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group for the purpose of seeking to partner with the Ontario government in the development of the mining-to-manufacturing EV battery supply chain.

 was registered in-house by its Head of Federal Policy, Kyle Davis, primarily to promote and educate about the benefits of renewable power generation, and support a technologically agnostic and market-based approach for renewable power generation to support decarbonization. Further discussions were held around flexibility measures and competition-focused policies to promote grid stability in Ontario; allow demand response, battery storage, and other non-wires alternative technologies to participate in Ontario’s power market

Bliss Baker, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group registered on behalf of the 

The purpose of this registration is because the client is seeking to alter the current system of 'weather event' sewage dumping and ensure that local residents are warned when municipalities dump sewage into their local waterways following a severe event. This would include public notices and warnings to local residents. In addition, the client will be advocating for investment in municipal water treatment plants so that this system of sewage dumping is no longer required.

was registered by Mackenzie Taylor, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group, to assist the client in navigating the long term care home new development process.

was registered by Amir Remtulla, a consultant with Amir Remtulla Inc. to push for positive amendments to the application and approval process for development funding of new Long Term Care beds in order to permit the industry to more quickly replace aging infrastructure and meet the critical demand for additional beds.

 was registered by Carly Luis (Bergamini), a consultant with Enterprise Canada. The goal of the registration was for advocating for increased funding and support for community based mental health and addiction providers, including funding to support labour challenges and wage increases and to address operational pressures.

was registered by Daniel Matthew Boudreau, a consultant with Hill+Knowlton Strategies to engage with the government on seasonal flu vaccine procurement, in particular a specialty influenza vaccine program for Ontarians 65+, as well as a new cell-based vaccine.

 was registered by Devan Sommerville, Johanna Chevalier, Michael Ras and Shawn Cruz, all consultants with Counsel Public Affairs Inc. The primary goal of their registrations was to engage with the government on opportunities to reduce administrative burdens and improve patient care in any potential forthcoming red tape reduction bill or other legislative vehicle introduced by the Ministry of Health, or other ministries.

Ontario Occupational Health Nurses Association

 was registered by Jeff Silverstein, a consultant with Radius Public Relations Inc. to assist the client in engaging with the government and be a part of discussions that are taking place around its Health Human Resources strategy.

Shanice Scott, a consultant with Hill+Knowlton Strategies registered on behalf of the 

Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario 

to engage with the government about the Regulated Health Professionals Act, 1991 and the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007 to identify and address barriers to nurses.

: The Sleeve Clinic, Ontario Home Care Association, Cepheid Canada, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, Ontario Dental Association, Ontario Pharmacists Association, PatienceFirst.ca, Lillabelle Lakeview Corporation, Northwestern Wound Care

was registered by Joshua Albert, a consultant with The CCS Group. The goal of this was to seek government funding to assist with the construction of a highway service centre, to improve the community's water infrastructure and to develop a childcare facility and healing centre in the community.

was registered by Michael Gimelshtein, a consultant with The CCS Group, in an effort to assist the community in securing the support from the federal and provincial governments for the development of a number of community projects.

Batchewana First Nation, Seine River First Nation

was registered by Devan Sommerville, Logan Ross, and Michael Ras, all consultants with Counsel Public Affairs Inc. The goal of their registrations was to engage on matters pertaining to the submission, evaluation and approval of provincial permits regarding a planned battery materials manufacturing facility in Loyalist Township.

was registered in-house by its president and CEO, Shannon Watt with the goal of creating a fair and a level playing field in terms of policy development, where the propane industry can be a full contributor in providing affordable energy, reducing emissions while maintaining and creating jobs in Ontario

: Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd., Cement Association of Canada, Chemistry Industry Association of Canada

 was registered by Alexandra Rodgers, a consultant with Policy Concepts Inc. The goal of the registration was to engage in discussions with government officials related to innovative mobility solutions including Mobility-as-a-Service and vehicle subscription services, and to explore opportunities to remove red tape and regulatory barriers to innovation while protecting consumers.

was registered by Curtis Khan, their CEO and founder, to discuss the issues around capping staffing agency pricing limits, particularly on the fees charged by staffing agencies, especially in the context of healthcare or caregiving services.

David Morgado, a consultant with ONpoint Strategy Group registered on behalf of 

with the goal of supporting and advocating for the awarding of various funding streams with a focus on skilled trades development and the black youth action plan.

 was registered in-house by its President and CEO Gordon Harlin for the purpose of advocating for the continued support of, and investment in, microsystem and nanotechnology research as well as semiconductor manufacturing and design.

was registered in house by Fereshteh Zeineddin, its director of sales & service. Among the many lobbying asks detailed in the registrations, the company wants to make recommendations to the government and its agencies regarding policies, programs, regulations and decisions that impact the demand for and/or adoption of solar energy, battery energy storage and related infrastructure. Next Telsa wants to identify opportunities and to propose solutions to reduce electricity costs for large-scale DC fast charging operations, including for commercial truck fleets. As well, they also want to provide input and make recommendations to the government on policies, programs, regulations or decisions that could impact the competitiveness of, demand for, and availability of electric vehicles in Ontario. Finally, Telsa is looking to provide input and recommendations to the government regarding policies, programs, regulations and decisions regarding autonomous and connected vehicle regulation, testing and operation.

Waterloo Biofilter Systems Inc., Canadian Snowbird Association, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc., Ontario Building Officials Association, Algonquin Park Residents Association, Enriched Academy, DCM Solutions, Club Coffee LP, Mars Canada Inc., LIUNA (Labourers International Union of North America), Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals, Toronto Region Board of Trade, Association des conseils scolaires des écoles publiques de l'Ontario, Bilt Services Inc., Ontario Bar Association, Canadian National Fireworks Association - CNFA, Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, Rick Hansen Foundation, Ve’ahavta, Aecon, Jarvis Mansions (Toronto) Limited, Detroit International Bridge Corporation, LLC, Waterloo Biofilter Systems Inc.

Over the past week, the Ontario Chiropractic Association was named in the new most filings, with four registrations made on their behalf. But NextStar Energy Inc. and Umicore Rechargeable Battery Materials Canada Inc. were next with three unique registrations each.

Who's Lobbying for Whom: Nextstar among most active lobbying outfit amidst concerns about staffing at Windsor plant

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