In the last decade, the number of people lobbying the federal government has increased by 40 percent, and communications across subjects have increased 367 percent, primarily in environmental, economic development, and fiscal policy areas.
As of March 15, 2024, there were 2,097 more active lobbyists registered than on the same date in 2015, eight months before the Trudeau government came to power, rising from from 5,212 to 7,309.
From 2008 to 2016, the number of active registered lobbyists at the federal level consistently hovered around approximately 5,000.
A Hub analysis of the Registry of Lobbyists lays bare lobbyists’ growing interactions and influence with federal government officials.
Earlier this month, the Dairy Farmers of Canada were criticised for aggressively lobbying for stronger supply management protections against international trade liberalisation efforts; focusing their attention on the Bloc Québécois, a party now with significant power in a shaky minority government. Due in part to dairy lobby's efforts, the Bloc recently brought forward Bill C-282 which would further entrench supply management, as a condition for their continued confidence in the Trudeau government.
The entire lobbying profession has attracted the ire of Official Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, who called lobbyists “utterly useless” and out of touch with regular Canadians.
“The only area where any business lobby has borne fruit has been the rotten fruit of undue handouts, privileges, and protections by the state,” the Conservative leader wrote in a May National Post op-ed. “[T]he lobbyist doesn’t share the interests of the company, its workers, consumers or shareholders. A good solution would be to fire these lobbyists, stop talking with politicians and start trying to win the support of the population.”
Still, others say the profession is a crucial part of Canadian democracy.
“Contrary to the practices of closed authoritarian regimes, lobbying enables diverse views and interests to be represented and encourages the ongoing creation of new and innovative policy ideas that reflect the modern economic and social landscape in Canada,” Navigator public affairs associate principal Clare Michaels told The Hub. The lobbyist added that fierce lobbying competition ensures only the best and most appealing ideas make it to the government’s agenda.
Lobbying is a tool for groups like companies and associations to influence policymakers. Lobbyists seek to influence politicians and officials around new legislation, as well as government grants or contracts, on behalf of their employer or clients. The practice is regulated federally by the Lobbying Act, which, among other things, requires active lobbyists to register and keep monthly records of their lobbying activities.
Individuals whose professional communications with lobbyists fall under the act are known as Designated Public Office Holders including the prime minister, MPs, senior public servants, key members of the Canada’s Armed Forces and RCMP, and parliamentary staff. Lobbyists are required to report “communications” that are oral and arranged with these individuals.
What lobbyists are talking about
The Hub found that in the last decade more lobbyists are lobbying around more topics. Under the reporting regime, Canadian lobbying falls under a total of 53 subject matter categories. Throughout 2023, the environment, economic development, and industry categories saw the most registered meetings.
Over the nine years that the Trudeau government has been in power, from 2015 to 2023, all subject matter references across lobbying meetings increased a remarkable 367 percent, from 16,808 to 78,571 references.
Analysing the communication reports for 2015 to 2023, lobbying increased the most on issues related to Canada’s environment, economic development, energy, and industry. In 2023, those four topics were found in over a quarter (27 percent) of reported meetings.
In the past year, the environmental advocacy group Environmental Defence made the most total government communications under both the environment and industry category with 238.
According to its public reporting, the group attempted to have the federal government and budget “[provide] resources for…public transit, renewable energy, climate finance accountability, investment in water and wastewater infrastructure,” and “stronger rules, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, for [vehicle] fuel economy regulations and zero-emission vehicle standards.” They also sought to have the government focus on “restricting resources for fossil fuels.”

Environmental Defence Canada’s Cassie Barker, centre, concludes an appearance at the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development in Ottawa, March 21, 2024. Justin Tang/The Canadian Press.
In the same two environment and industry categories, Environment Defence was followed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber also ranked first for lobbying on economic development. In the past year, the leading business group, whose directors are employed by 3M Canada, the Montreal Port Authority, major banks, investment firms, and EY consulting, made 236 lobbying communications.
On energy, the Mining Association of Canada, representing virtually every major mining company operating in the country, was among the top lobbyists with 123 government communications in the past year.
Other prominent groups that have lobbied the most frequently in the last year include the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, the Canola Council of Canada, and the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada.
Who lobbyists are talking to
Government departments that were subject to the most lobbying broadly oversee industrial policy, finance, and the environment.
Between 2015 and 2023–excluding the House of Commons, whose lobbying reports historically well exceed other government institutions–Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED); Finance Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada; and Natural Resources Canada had the greatest increases of reported meetings with lobbyists.
Among those top lobbying destinations, ISED stands out in the number of reported meetings involving its ministers, parliamentary staff, and public servants. In 2022 for instance, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne was reportedly the most lobbied cabinet minister, followed by Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson.
Lobbyists' priorities often match the Trudeau government’s spending priorities.
For example, between 2015 and 2023, total budgeted amounts spent by Environment Canada (now Environment and Climate Change Canada) rose 82 percent, reaching over $3 billion, according to the Public Accounts of Canada. Over the same time period, lobbying on climate issues rose over 3,600 percent (from just 160 to over 3,200) and 800 percent when it came to the environment more generally.
Similarly, total budgeted amounts spent by Industry Canada (ISED) increased 116 percent from $4.8 billion to $10.5 billion. This occurred as lobbying around economic development rose by over 5,000 instances and industry by over 2,800 instances.