Here’s a rundown of the news we covered this week:

Former Ontario MPP and Health minister George Smitherman is the new president of the Cannabis Council of Canada (C3). One priority for Smitherman will be to reach out to Canada’s provinces to discuss taxation policies that he thinks are holding back the cannabis industry. British Columbia and Alberta have recently announced plans to impose sales taxes on liquid cannabis vaping products. Smitherman has concerns that this could set a precedent for other provinces to implement similar taxes, and that higher prices could drive the public towards the black market for cheaper alternatives.

Tracey Hubley, the president of Summa Strategies for the last 15 years, passed away on March 5. Colleagues and friends of Hubley remember her as being a blunt speaker, friendly, and a mentor to many women in the government relations space. She was also notable for her work with defense industry companies, having represented clients including Boeing Global Sales Group. David Perry, vice-president of Canadian Global Affairs Institute, said Hubley stood out for her work on the defense file, partly because that sector is largely dominated by male lobbyists.

Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger appeared before the House ethics committee on March 9 where she discussed the anticipated review of the Lobbying Act. Bélanger said that when the review occurs she will recommend that filing communication reports be required for any communication between a lobbyist and a designated public office holder (DPOH), regardless of who initiates contact. The current rules only require a report be filed if contact is initiated by the lobbyist, and as long as the topic discussed wasn’t about grants or other financial benefits. Bélanger also discussed her office’s budget, which she would like to be increased by an additional $730,000 annually.

Conservative MP and ethics critic Michael Barrett introduced a motion for the House ethics committee to begin a probe into the SNC-Lavalin scandal, which was defeated in a six-to four vote on March 9. The motion asked the committee to study the Trudeau ll Report that was released in August 2019, and for Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion to appear before the committee to respond to questions. This is the second time in the current parliamentary session the ethics committee has voted against a re-examination of the Trudeau ll Report. Barrett put a similar motion forward in February, which was also defeated six-to-four.

The Prairie Oat Growers Association (POGA), which represents oat growers across Western Canada, was the most active lobby group between March 2 and March 8, based on the number of communication reports filed in that time frame. POGA posted 19 out of 307 total communication reports that week. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada was the most targeted government institution, appearing in 37 communication reports posted between March 2 and March 8.

In new registrations, Canadian multinational entertainment company Entertainment One started its first file on the federal lobbyists’ registry on March 9 with President Darren Throop listed as the senior officer on the file. The company is interested in discussing subjects including the Broadcasting Act, the Copyright Act, and the eligibility requirements of foreign workers. Throop will communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office, Innovation, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, the Copyright Board of Canada, as well as with MPs.

Communication reports related to telecommunications have been climbing since October, from 15 that month to 26 in November and then to 36 in December.

SnöFlake Industries, a Quebec-based company that manufactures snow, made its first appearance on the registry on March 11 with consultant Carole Boucher of Carole Boucher Services-Conseils. The company is seeking government funding for support during its start-up phase. Boucher will communicate with Global Affairs Canada, the Business Development Bank of Canada, Environment, and Export Development Canada.

U.S. beverage maker Keurig Dr Pepper started its first file on Feb. 26 with consultant Chantal Benoit of National Public Relations. The company would like to meet with government officials to discuss the recyclability of its products and its environmental policies, according to the registry. Benoit will communicate with Environment.

New registry files posted between March 9, 2020 and March 13, 2020

Based on a search of the federal lobbyists' registry on March 13, at 10:45 a.m.

New registrations posted between March 9, 2020 and March 13, 2020

Reactivations posted between March 9, 2020 and March 13, 2020