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 128 meetings in April 2026, roughly in line with its 12-month average of 126.5.
• The biggest moves were in Aerospace product and parts manufacturing and Ship and boat building.
• Space Exploration Technologies Company (SpaceX), Naval Group were more active than usual.

Section A: The Themes Hidden in April 2026 Data

Defence Industrial Strategy Rollout Spurs Increased Lobbying

In February 2026, the Canadian government unveiled its first Defence Industrial Strategy, launching a surge of meetings between industry leaders such as Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, Saab Canada, Inc., and MHI RJ Aviation ULC and federal officials through April, including discussions with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the House of Commons. The new strategy's focus on domestic procurement and export growth coincides with above-average lobbying from aerospace and defence firms aiming to shape implementation, particularly around production capacity and policy details.

📎 Global News — Carney unveils Defence Industrial Strategy · CPAC — PM Carney announces Defence Industrial Strategy

Aerospace and Quantum Defence Funding Draws Industry Attention

The March commitment of $900 million for aerospace, quantum, and drone technologies has coincided with a jump in aerospace sector lobbying, with manufacturers and large firms such as the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, Strix Aero, and Volatus Aerospace Corp. seeking roles in government-backed R&D programs. Lobbying records show frequent communications targeting Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) as companies, including Magellan Aerospace Corporation and Navhouse Corporation, advocate for support in growing exports and dual-use technology projects.

📎 iPolitics — Mélanie Joly: Defence quantum, drones, Bombardier

Shipbuilding Lobby Efforts Continue Amid New Naval Contracts

Lobbying related to shipbuilding remained robust in April, with records detailing meetings—including those by Irving Shipbuilding Inc., Seaspan Shipyards, and Vancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd. with National Defence (DND) and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO)—on contracts for new River-class destroyers and ongoing maintenance of existing fleets. Industry efforts to secure facility upgrades and input into naval procurement coincide with reported government advances under the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

📎 Maple Leaf Navy Magazine — 2025 Year in Review: National Shipbuilding Strategy

Aerospace Sector Leverages Favourable Policy Climate

Lobbying momentum from aerospace product and parts manufacturers, including the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada and MHI RJ Aviation ULC, has tracked upward, aligning with government support for increased exports and R&D as highlighted in the 2026 State of Canada’s Aerospace Industry report. Advocacy appears aimed at ensuring the Defence Industrial Strategy and related programs, with engagement involving the House of Commons and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), prioritize further industry-led growth.

📎 AIAC — AIAC & ISED release State of Canada's Aerospace Industry Report 2026

Universities Seek Greater Role in Defence Innovation Funding

Universities and research institutes, alongside organizations such as Strix Aero and 49North, markedly increased lobbying targeting new grants and expansion of defence-related research funding in April, reflected in communications with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) about council-led and Mitacs-backed initiatives. This advocacy coincides with the expanded defence research calls and innovation hub partnerships rolled out in 2026.

📎 Mitacs — Accelerate Defence and Security Call

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 128 meetings in April 2026, roughly in line with its 12-month average of 126. The most active industry was Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, while Defence rose above its recent baseline.

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing logged 66 meetings, up from an average of 53.

On the quieter side, Foreign affairs and international assistance had no lobbying meetings this month, down from an average of 2, and Ship and boat building had 19 meetings, down from an average of 25.

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 2026-04

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in April 2026.

↳ 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.

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

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

↳ Foreign affairs and international assistance 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 Space Exploration Technologies Company (SpaceX), Naval Group, and Boeing Operations International, Incorporated.

On the quieter side, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada, and Irving Shipbuilding 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:

↳ Aerospace product and parts manufacturing → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 19 meetings (avg 15, +30%).

↳ Defence → House of Commons: 16 meetings (avg 10, +64%).

↳ Aerospace product and parts manufacturing → House of Commons: 14 meetings (avg 9, +53%).

The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:

↳ Space Exploration Technologies Company (SpaceX) → House of Commons: 7 meetings (avg 1, +833%).

↳ Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → Global Affairs Canada (GAC): 5 meetings (avg 2, +161%).

↳ Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → House of Commons: 5 meetings (avg 2, +233%).

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:

↳ Universities, colleges and research institutes → Defence: 73 meetings (avg 27, +173%).

↳ Aerospace product and parts manufacturing → Industry: 51 meetings (avg 40, +27%).

↳ Aerospace product and parts manufacturing → Defence: 48 meetings (avg 40, +22%).

The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:

↳ The Professional Institute for the Public Service of Canada → Defence: 36 meetings (avg 8, +380%).

↳ University of New Brunswick → Defence: 17 meetings (avg 3, +423%).

↳ Memorial University of Newfoundland → Defence: 17 meetings (avg 2, +974%).

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 Defence → Maninder Sidhu (Global Affairs Canada (GAC)), Defence → Madeleine Chenette (House of Commons) and Defence → Linda Lapointe (House of Commons).

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → Madeleine Chenette (House of Commons), Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → Linda Lapointe (House of Commons) and Airbus Canada Limited Partnership → Maninder Sidhu (Global Affairs Canada (GAC)).