Lobbying Code and Trade Tribunal Inquiry

Summary#

This Canada Gazette entry reports three commission items: the Canadian International Trade Tribunal will hold an inquiry after a complaint by EllisDon Corporation about a federal building contract; the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission posted a short list of licensing applications and decisions; and the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada published the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct (third edition), which comes into force on July 1, 2023.

What it does#

• The Canadian International Trade Tribunal decided on May 16, 2023 to open an inquiry (File PR-2023-010) into a complaint by EllisDon Corporation about Solicitation ED001-212664/B. The contract is for work on the Daniel J. MacDonald Building in Charlottetown. EllisDon says Public Works and Government Services did not follow the published bid evaluation rules.
• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission posted applications and administrative decisions from May 12–17, 2023, including renewal/amendment applications by Corus Entertainment Inc., TVA Group Inc., and GX Radio Partnership with intervention deadlines of June 14, 2023 and June 12, 2023. It also listed some ownership decisions and an order about telemarketing fees.
• The Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada rescinded the previous code and brought into force the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct (third edition) on July 1, 2023. Key points in the new code:
  • Anyone required to follow the Lobbying Act must follow the Code.
  • New clarity on expectations: transparency, respect for institutions, integrity.
  • Rules on disclosure and not misleading officials.
  • Limits on gifts and hospitality: a low-value limit of $40 per gift or instance of hospitality and an annual combined limit of $200 (both in 2023 dollars).
  • Rules about avoiding situations where an official might feel a “sense of obligation,” and formal cooling-off periods after political work: 24 months for senior political roles and 12 months for other substantial political work (with case-by-case adjustments).
  • The Commissioner can grant exemptions to gift/hospitality rules with conditions and can investigate non-compliance and report findings to Parliament.

Who's affected#

• The main parties in the tribunal inquiry: EllisDon Corporation, Public Works and Government Services, other firms that bid on Solicitation ED001-212664/B, and contractors who follow federal procurement outcomes.
• Broadcasters and local media stakeholders named in the CRTC notices: Corus Entertainment Inc., TVA Group Inc., GX Radio Partnership, and communities served by those stations. Members of the public and industry groups who want to comment by the listed deadlines may be affected.
• Registered lobbyists (both consultant and in-house), their clients or employers, and the federal officials they contact are directly affected by the new Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct (third edition). Organizations that hire lobbyists will need to be aware of the updated gift, hospitality and cooling-off rules.

Why it matters#

• The tribunal inquiry could change who wins a federal construction contract and could delay or alter the Daniel J. MacDonald Building project. It shows that bidders can challenge procurement decisions.
• The CRTC postings set upcoming deadlines and signal possible changes in local broadcasting licences or ownership that can affect what people in those communities can watch or listen to.
• The updated lobbying code tightens rules on gifts, hospitality and post-political activity. That can change how companies, trade associations and consultants meet with federal officials. The aim is clearer, more consistent rules and greater public confidence in contacts between lobbyists and government.