Once a month, we partner up with LobbyIQ to update our readers on recent movements in the federal lobbying landscape in Ottawa. We provide separate coverage for each channel, defined by the most relevant industries, organizations, institutions, and subject matters.

Key Takeaways — Automotive

• Lobbying activity totalled 108 meetings in May 2026, roughly in line with its 12-month average of 107.9.
• The biggest moves were in Automobile retail and Motor vehicle parts manufacturing.
• Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA COMPANY were more active than usual.

Section A: The Themes Hidden in May 2026 Data

Automotive Lobbying Surges as Canada Adjusts National Auto Strategy

Lobbying activity among manufacturers and auto dealers, including FCA Canada Inc., Honda Canada Inc., and the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), intensified in May 2026, coinciding with the federal government’s rollout of a major auto strategy focused on electric and next-generation vehicles. The shift toward enhanced GHG emissions standards, shaped in part by meetings with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), away from rigid EV sales quotas, is seen as responsive to industry advocacy for more flexible regulatory approaches and supply chain support.

📎 A pragmatic shift in Canada’s automotive strategy

CUSMA Review Spurs New Engagement on Trade and Market Access Risks

A marked uptick in lobbying related to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) aligns with ongoing reviews and heightened trade uncertainty in 2026, as seen in recent engagement by HONDA CANADA INC. with the House of Commons, Finance Canada (FIN), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Auto sector stakeholders, including Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd., have been expressing concern over continued market access, tariffs, and regulatory harmonization with both Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the House of Commons, given the critical importance of cross-border supply chains and recent declines in Canadian vehicle output.

📎 Securing Canada's automotive future: Key insights · The New Normal: 2026 Canadian Automotive Outlook - TD

Trade Diversification and Tariff Support Drive Advocacy Efforts

Lobbying records show increased efforts by HONDA CANADA INC. and Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. to secure federal support for diversifying export markets and mitigating tariff risks, including meetings with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Finance Canada (FIN). These moves run parallel to the government’s introduction of new funding programs and expanded trade partnerships, aimed at reducing reliance on the U.S. and strengthening the resilience of Canadian automotive manufacturing.

📎 Canada shifts gears: what the 2026 auto strategy means for ...

Regulatory Flexibility Remains a Priority as Dealer Lobbying Intensifies

Industry calls for more regulatory clarity and flexible compliance options have persisted, particularly from dealer organizations such as the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) and major automakers including HONDA CANADA INC. and Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. These appeals, brought forward in meetings with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), and the House of Commons, appear to have gained traction with policymakers, as recent announcements emphasize predictable standards and pragmatic transitions over rigid sales targets.

📎 A pragmatic shift in Canada’s automotive strategy

Ongoing Policy Shifts Influence Auto Sector Investment Dynamics

The evolving regulatory landscape, including new financial incentives and shifting emissions standards, is impacting investment decisions in Canada’s automotive sector. Increased advocacy for government support and strategic funds reflects industry uncertainty amid changing expectations around market competitiveness and production incentives.

📎 The New Normal: 2026 Canadian Automotive Outlook - TD

Section B: Lobbying Activity by Industry

This section compares, by NAICS industry, the lobbying activity in Ottawa last month to its historical average.

Lobbying activity across this channel totalled 108 meetings in May 2026, roughly in line with its 12-month average of 108. The most active industry was Motor vehicle manufacturing, while Automobile retail rose above its recent baseline.

Automobile retail logged 18 meetings, up from an average of 7.

Motor vehicle parts manufacturing had 8 meetings, down from an average of 12.

Section C: Lobbying by Industry for the Past Year

To contextualize, we show each industry's lobbying activity over the past 12 months. The combined view from Section B and C shows you whether recent differences are persistent trends or a break from the norm.

Top Industry Residual Trends for 2026-05

Motor vehicle manufacturing saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in May 2026.

↳ Motor vehicle manufacturing has been on a broadly upward trajectory in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Automobile retail displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

↳ Motor vehicle parts manufacturing displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

Section D: Lobbying Activity by Organization

In this section, we see the organizations with the most unusual lobbying behavior last month, defined by either unusually high or unusually low lobbying activity.

The organizations with the most notable increases in lobbying this month include Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA), GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA COMPANY, and HONDA CANADA INC..

On the quieter side, Global Automakers of Canada, and Westport Fuel Systems Canada Inc. all pulled back from their usual pace.

Section E: Lobbying of Government Institutions in the Past Month

Every time an organization lobbies, there is a government official representing a government institution at the other side of the table. This section shows the industry-institutions pairs with the most unusual lobbying behavior last month, defined by either unusually high or unusually low lobbying activity. Below that, we show the corresponding organization-institution pairs.

Industries → Government Institutions

Organizations → Government Institutions

The busiest industry → institution corridors this month:

↳ Motor vehicle manufacturing → Global Affairs Canada (GAC): 11 meetings (avg 5, +116%).

The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:

↳ GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA COMPANY → House of Commons: 7 meetings (avg 2, +236%).

↳ Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 7 meetings (avg 3, +121%).

↳ Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) → Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC): 6 meetings (avg 1, +620%).

Section F: Industry and Organization Lobbying by Subject in the Past Month

All lobbying activity is tagged with a "subject matter". This section shows the industry-subject pairs with the most unusual lobbying behavior last month, defined by either unusually high or unusually low lobbying activity, and below it the organization-subject pairs with the most unusual lobbying behavior last month.

Industries → Subjects

Organizations → Subjects

The busiest industry → subject corridors this month:

↳ Motor vehicle manufacturing → Transportation: 29 meetings (avg 42, -31%).

The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:

↳ HONDA CANADA INC. → International Trade: 15 meetings (avg 9, +70%).

↳ Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) → Industry: 13 meetings (avg 2, +550%).

↳ Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) → Environment: 13 meetings (avg 3, +403%).

Section G: Last Month's Most Lobbied Politicians and Civil Servants

This section presents a list of the politicians and civil servants who took the most meetings with key industry players last month.

Most Lobbied Individuals by Sector

Most Lobbied Individuals by Organization

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by sector) this month were Motor vehicle manufacturing → Martin Moen (Global Affairs Canada (GAC)), Motor vehicle manufacturing → Yasmin Atassi (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)) and Automobile retail → Galen Richardson (Privy Council Office (PCO)).

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd. → Adam Scott (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)), BAK MOTORS Inc. → Martin Kolacz (Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)) and FCA Canada Inc. → Jennifer McLean (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)).