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 — Defence

• Lobbying activity totalled 189 meetings in May 2026, up from a 12-month average of 137.1.
• The biggest moves were in Defence and Aerospace product and parts manufacturing.
• Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, Magellan Aerospace Corporation were more active than usual.

Real-World Context — Defence, May 2026

Surge in Defence and Aerospace Lobbying Coincides with Federal Procurement Overhauls

Lobbying activity in the defence and aerospace sectors spiked significantly in May 2026, coinciding with the federal government's ongoing modernization of procurement frameworks and new investment announcements for national shipbuilding and aircraft programs. Recent lobbying records show industry discussions focused on securing contracts for future combat vessels and advanced aircraft, echoing government efforts to bolster domestic production and update procurement rules for defence assets. This alignment underscores how major industry players are responding to policy shifts that could affect billions in contract awards.

📎 Canada launches new Defence Procurement Strategy · Federal budget 2026: Major defence spending commitments

Airbus Canada and Industry Giants Intensify Government Engagement Following R&D and Export Incentives

Organizations such as Airbus Canada Limited Partnership and Raytheon held unusually high numbers of meetings with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). This comes amid new federal incentives for technology R&D and export growth in aerospace, as well as government reviews of procurement guidelines for the sector. Official lobbying records reveal discussions around platform development, intellectual property retention, and Canadian-led industrial growth, all closely tied to recent policy efforts to enhance Canada's global competitiveness in aerospace and defence.

📎 Canada announces enhanced incentives for aerospace innovation and exports · Aerospace sector advocates for IP protection amid federal review

Shipbuilding Lobbying Remains Focused on Combat Vessel Procurement—Amid National Shipbuilding Strategy Updates

Lobbying meetings remain focused on shipbuilding, particularly advancing projects for the River class destroyer fleet and support for Halifax class frigates. These efforts dovetail with the federal government's refreshed National Shipbuilding Strategy and recent announcements regarding the selection of key contractors for combat vessel work. Industry advocates seek funding for facility upgrades and to influence procurement decisions as Ottawa aims to deliver new naval platforms over the coming decade.

📎 National Shipbuilding Strategy Update—May 2026 · Irving Shipbuilding awarded new combat vessel package

Defence Sector Engagement Peaks Alongside NORAD Modernization Plans

Lobbying of government institutions by defence organizations intensified, frequently referencing Canada’s role in NORAD and procurement reform. Recent federal communications and budget provisions emphasize NORAD upgrades, with the government announcing new funding and industrial strategy measures that aim to modernize continental defence infrastructure. These parallel lobbying activities suggest industry is closely tracking and seeking input on policy decisions that shape Canada’s strategic defence capabilities.

📎 Canada announces funding for NORAD modernization · Defence Industrial Strategy unveiled

National Security and Procurement Subjects Lead Lobbying—Tied to Recent Regulatory and Trade Policy Developments

Lobbying corridors relating to government procurement and national security were busiest in May, with industry seeking clarity on procurement frameworks, export controls, and regulatory reform. These efforts coincide with recent amendments to procurement directives, international trade agreements, and security policy reviews—such as the overhaul of the Financial Administration Act and procurement code of conduct. Lobbyists cite these ongoing changes in their advocacy, aiming to influence government approaches to defence contracting and security partnership.

📎 Canada updates procurement directives and security frameworks · New international trade agreements impact defence contracts

Section A: 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 189 meetings in May 2026, up from a 12-month average of 137. The most active industry was Defence, while Aerospace product and parts manufacturing rose above its recent baseline.

The industries with the most notable increases in lobbying this month include Aerospace product and parts manufacturing logged 80 meetings, up from an average of 57, and Defence logged 96 meetings, up from an average of 53.

On the quieter side, Foreign affairs and international assistance had 1 meetings, down from an average of 2, and Ship and boat building had 12 meetings, down from an average of 25.

Section B: 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 A and B shows you whether recent differences are persistent trends or a break from the norm.

Top Industry Residual Trends for 2026-05

Defence saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in May 2026.

↳ Defence has been on a broadly upward trajectory in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Aerospace product and parts manufacturing has been on a broadly upward trajectory in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Aerospace product and parts manufacturing displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

↳ Ship and boat building has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Ship and boat building displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

Section C: 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 Airbus Canada Limited Partnership, Magellan Aerospace Corporation, Space Exploration Technologies Company (SpaceX), Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp., and Raytheon Company.

Section D: 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:

↳ Defence → National Defence (DND): 28 meetings (avg 11, +147%).

↳ Defence → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 26 meetings (avg 12, +126%).

↳ Defence → Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC): 22 meetings (avg 9, +140%).

The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:

↳ Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 10 meetings (avg 3, +216%).

↳ Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → Prime Minister's Office (PMO): 9 meetings (avg 2, +500%).

↳ Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC): 8 meetings (avg 1, +638%).

Section E: 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:

↳ Defence → Government Procurement: 95 meetings (avg 48, +98%).

↳ Defence → Defence: 77 meetings (avg 46, +67%).

↳ Aerospace product and parts manufacturing → Defence: 63 meetings (avg 43, +47%).

The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:

↳ Association of Canadian Port Authorities → National Security/Security: 31 meetings (avg 4, +644%).

↳ Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → Government Procurement: 28 meetings (avg 6, +331%).

↳ Facebook Canada Ltd. → National Security/Security: 27 meetings (avg 6, +363%).

Section F: 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 Defence → David McFarlane (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)), Defence → Mélanie Joly (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)) and Aerospace product and parts manufacturing → Tim Logan (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)).

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → David McFarlane (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)), Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → Marc-André Blanchard (Prime Minister's Office (PMO)) and Provincial Aerospace Limited → Zachariah Downey (Global Affairs Canada (GAC)).