Kamal Aboulmagd

A group representing Ontario dairy processors is lobbying the province on a variety of different asks.

 was registered this past week by Jayme Wilson, a consultant with Impact Public Affairs. The purpose of the lobbying effort, according to the registration, was to ensure plant licensing regulations work for current and new processors, ensure the Milk Act is modernized, make sure the healthy eating strategy reflects the needs of the dairy industry, maintaining an adequate milk supply, and finally, training programs to ensure qualified and skilled workers for the industry.

The registrations comes on the same week the federal government unveiled proposed changes to its policy governing international trade of dairy products.

The changes were necessary after New Zealand brought forward a complaint against Canada in 2022 under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade agreement, to which both nations are signatories. New Zealand accused the Canadian government of failing to issue the sufficient number of tariff rate quotas (TRQs), a tool that CPTPP participants adopted to allow greater access for dairy producers to international markets.

Essentially, TRQs set a limit of how much of a particular good (i.e., milk, cheese, butter, etc.) can be imported at a preferential tariff rate, while goods not traded under a TRQ face significantly higher tariff rates.

Revised dairy trade rules will limit options for Canadian consumers: industry group

According to New Zealand, Canada was purposefully not issuing enough TRQs in an effort to protect domestic dairy producers against foreign suppliers bringing cheaper dairy products into the country at a greater scale. The Kiwis argued its dairy sector lost the equivalent of $96 million in revenue from the Canadian market over a three-year period due to the federal government “effectively blocking access for our dairy industry to upscale its exports” to Canada.

Australia, Japan, Mexico, Peru, and Singapore all expressed support in New Zealand’s complaint, which the CPTPP’s dispute settlement panel ruled to be valid last summer.

While International Trade Minister Mary Ng claimed victory by saying the panel’s findings confirmed Canada had some discretion regarding how it applies the trade agreement, Canada is required to change its quota allocation policy moving forward.

On Tuesday, the feds unveiled proposed changes, which are yet to be finalized and remain open to stakeholder input until March 7.

Amplifon, Canadian Propane Association, Toyota Canada Inc., Ontario Library Association, 

were the most registered organizations, with four registrations each. They were followed by 

 led all registrant groups with 12 unique registrations each. 

were the next most active registrant groups, with 10 unique registrations. Next was 

 with seven unique registrations. They were followed by 

EnPointe Development Incorporated, Loyalist Public Affairs, McMillan Vantage, 

, who each had six unique registrations. Lastly, 

led all lobbyists with six registrations. Michaela Johnson of 

 followed with five unique registrations. Lastly, Aaron Scheewe of 

was registered by Carys Baker, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group to advise the government on measures to sustain integrated forestry operations in northern Ontario, specifically related to the continued operations of biomass-fired electricity production facilities.

was registered by Jonathan Sampson, a consultant with Enterprise Canada. The primary goal of their lobbying was to discuss Farm Risk Management Programs, specifically, to call for a higher cap on the RMP and strengthening of AgriStability and Agri-Invest programs that would bring it up to previous levels of support. They also want to talk about the pollinator health strategy, in particular, the OFA wants to seek longer term implementation of integrated pest management strategies without regulation on pesticide coated seed.

In recent arts/culture/copyright registrants:

was registered by Amir Remtulla and Zak Remtulla, both consultants with Amir Remtulla Inc. The goal of their joint registration was to secure funding through the Province’s Marquee Events Grant. Specifically, the client is requesting funds which will be shared with all three host port cities/towns to pay for the tall ships appearance fees and pilotage required to bring foreign vessels into the Great Lakes.

was registered by Ian Andres, a consultant with Goodmans LLP. The client is seeking to redevelop a portion of its lands currently designated as "Natural Linkage" within the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP) in order to modify/correct the "Settlement Area" boundary within the ORMCP as a result of the realignment of Stouffville Road that has been approved through a class environmental assessment undertaken by the Regional Municipality of York. As a result of the realigned Stouffville Road right-of-way (which will eliminate the existing jog at Yonge Street), any current natural linkage function which may exist in the northwest corner of the property will be forever altered and eliminated.

Frank and Maria Frabotta, Mark and Jody Haller, 

 were all registered by Leith Coghlin, a consultant with EnPointe Development Incorporated. The purpose of this registration was to inform forthcoming drafts of regulations attached to Bill 23 More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 respecting conservation authority comments and policies relating to development in regulated areas, specifically hazard lands.

 was registered by Peter Van Loan, a consultant with Aird & Berlis, to discuss the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Planning Act. In particular, to discuss the interpretations and applications to facilitate the development of the client’s lands, including with respect to the Municipal Comprehensive Review of the Toronto Official Plan pursuant to section 26 of the Planning Act.

Nuvo Built Inc., 2404676 Ontario Limited, Consoli Holdings Inc

In recent energy/environment/climate registrants:

was registered in-house by Brian Bentz, their President and CEO to provide input related to regulatory measures in support of electric utility operations, energy system planning as well as other policy initiatives related to the electricity sector including conservation, climate change strategies and renewable energy.

was registered by Chris Benedetti, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group to advise the government on various policy measures to facilitate the development of transmission facilities to connect remote communities in northwest Ontario.

 was registered in-house by Allen Langdon, their CEO. The goal of the registration was to maintain an ongoing dialogue regarding the implementation of Ontario’s Blue Box Regulation that will enable the development of a common collection system for blue box materials.

was registered by Kris Barnier and Mykyta Darkokhrust, both consultants with Loyalist Public Affairs to discuss the recommendations of the Task Force for Housing and Climate for addressing Canada’s housing crisis by building homes that are affordable, resilient to climate change, and aligned with net-zero emissions.

was registered by Regan Watts, a consultant with Fratton Park Inc. The goal of their registration was to promote broader policy changes to increase waste diversion, recycling, food composting, anaerobic digestion, waste-to-energy, and adequate waste disposal capacity in Ontario. Additionally, the client is seeking the advancement of general policies to improve road and transportation infrastructure for transport vehicles, and support for policy and programs that improve vehicle and pedestrian safety. They will also raise general awareness of policies that help reduce litter and waste in Ontario, and will provide general information to MPPs on policies that support job creation and investment in Ontario's waste management sector.

was registered in-house by Anthony Dale, their CEO. Their goal was to lobby on bills that may impact hospitals and the health care system, including but not limited to bills addressing hospital funding, health research and education, hospital operations, labour relations, regulation of health professionals, privacy, not-for-profit corporations, broader public sector organizations, and health system integration.

was registered by Carolyn Kim and Francesca Grosso, both consultants with Grosso McCarthy Inc. The purpose of their joint registration was to assist the client in their efforts to get a renegotiated budget for provision of insured health care services to patients of the province which accurately reflects the costs associated with these surgeries.

was registered in-house by Jeroen Bastemeijer, their General Manager, with the goal of improving patient access to ophthalmological services, improving patient health care experiences by fostering adoption of new technologies and ensuring that patients have options when selecting eye care services.

Canadian Hearing Services (formerly Canadian Hearing Society) 

was registered in-house by Julia Dumanian, their President and CEO. The purpose of this registration was to discuss accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) Regulations on health, education, transportation, employment and information & communications. Provincial strategy on employment for people with disabilities.

 was registered by Karl Baldauf, a consultant with McMillan Vantage. The main goal of their lobbying effort was to discuss policy changes related to healthcare delivery and programs, specifically regarding Health Promotion (tobacco control and policies to increase smoking cessation, responsible cannabis policies, and medically responsible alcohol policies, distracted driving), opioid strategy, cannabis, ohip+ and negotiation and implementation of physician services agreements, responsible vaping, and Ontario Health Teams. Furthermore, meetings were held to discuss long term care improvements, home care improvements, community health infrastructure stability, policies related to COVID-19, and the current backlog of medical procedures and wait times.

was registered by Rayna Naik, a consultant with Enterprise Canada to push for more funding for mental health and addiction services across Ontario.

was registered by Patrick Rooney, a consultant with Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada. Specifically to discuss TELUS Health, as the client is seeking to form a partnership with the government that will enable them to deliver enhanced access to virtual and digitally enabled health care solutions by addressing policy barriers that limit access and/or impinge on the continued success of digital health programs.

: Amplifon, Lumina DX, Electric Mobility Canada, Hearing Industry Association of Canada, Medsleep Inc., DiaMentis Inc., Sanofi, GE HealthCare Technologies Canada, Traditional Chinese Medicine Association of Canada, AbbVie Corporation, ADVANZ Pharma Canada Inc., ALS Society of Canada, Wiigwas Elder and Senior Care

was registered by Aaron Scheewe, Amber Irwin, Jordan Angus, and Nathan Scheewe, all consultants with The Capital Hill Group. The goal of their registrations was to help create a fair and 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

was registered by Michael Ras, Caroline Pinto and Philip Dewan, all consultants with Counsel Public Affairs Inc. The purpose of their joint registrations was to participate in the government’s consultations related to its mandate of digital innovation and specifically on Strengthening Privacy Protections and Modernizing Privacy in Ontario as proposed in the regulatory postings, including meetings and discussions on Ontario's legislative privacy framework including potential changes to the Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act.

 was registered by Michaela Johnson, a consultant with Jenni Byrne and Associates to represent and advocate for the client through the transition to an extended producer responsibility model for recycling.

Wyloo Ring of Fire (formerly known as Ring of Fire Metals) 

was registered by Vienna Psihos, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group to work the government to develop the Eagle's Nest nickel, copper, platinum, palladium and chromite deposits, all of which are located in the James Bay Lowlands of Ontario in the emerging metals camp known as the "Ring of Fire."

: Alamos Gold Inc., Power Workers' Union, IAMGOLD Corporation,

was registered by Claudia Gallant, Sadaf Rostami, Davin Shinedling, and Michaela Johnson, all consultants with Jenni Byrne and Associates. The purpose of their registrations was to continue to raise 

 profile within the Government of Ontario. As well as raising awareness around current policies and programs across the government that hinder its ability to be a leader in the information technology space.

 was registered by Michaela Nudo, a consultant with The Capital Hill Group to seek government contracting opportunities in the area of Cloud and Information Technology Service Management Tools.

was registered by Vienna Psihos, a consultant with Sussex Strategy Group with the goal of building 

 profile with the Ontario government to work with the Province to expand telecommunications infrastructure in Ontario.

Kyndryl Canada (formerly IBM OCEAN CANADA LIMITED),

The Ontario Seasonal RV Resorts Coalition 

was registered by Michael Ras and Devan Sommerville, both consultants with Counsel Public Affairs Inc. The goal of their registrations was to build awareness of the economic impact of seasonal recreational RV resorts on Ontario’s regional economies, as well as the unique characteristics of these important tourism sector contributors. Additionally, to engage with the government to seek a long-term resolution to the Ontario Government’s wastewater design flow standards for Park Model Units in seasonal recreational resorts, balancing important considerations for infrastructure performance & safety, business sustainability and the environment.

was registered by Jon MacMull, a consultant with the Canadian Urban Transit Association. The goal of their lobbying effort was to maintain and/or expand their support to public transit and urban mobility in the province (e.g., extend financial support to transit agencies to cover their operating costs and/or infrastructure costs).

Ontario Library Association, Ontario Genomics, IKEA Canada Ltd. Partnership, Ecotex HealthCare Linen Services Inc., Fero International Inc., Storm Services, CUPE Local 79, Board of Trustees of The Anglican Church of Canada General Synod Pension Plan, Teamsters Canadian Pension Plan, Columbia International College, Stewart Title, Toronto Business Development Center, Ontario Bioscience Industry Organization, IDEMIA Identity and Security, Motion, Ontario Dental Hygienists' Association (ODHA), Daily Bread Food Bank, YMCA of Greater Toronto, The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships, College of Dental Hygienists Ontario, Nelson Aggregate Company, Auronergy Ltd., Mitacs, PayIt, Futurpreneur Canada, Committee of Architectural Technology Professionals, Pures College of Technology, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC, EPCM Group, BrightPath Kids Corp, Kids & Company, Thales Canada Defence and Security, Algoma University, Alpha College of Business and Technology, Toronto Region Board of Trade, Wal-Mart Canada Corp., Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, Teranet Inc., Loblaw Companies Limited, Arch Capital Corporation, Gartner Inc., Toronto Business Development Center, Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology, Club Coffee L.P., Canadian Association of Consulting Quantity Surveyors, Cestar College of Business, Health and Technology, Canadian Council of Independent Laboratories, TAS, Red Hat Inc., Salesforce Inc., Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario

Ontario Dairy Council was registered this past week by Jayme Wilson, a consultant with Impact Public Affairs.

Who's Lobbying for Whom: Ontario Dairy Council registers to lobbying Queen's Park

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