Lobbying on Foreign Affairs - Ottawa (May 2026 edition)
International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group and International Justice Mission Canada were unusually active lobbyists last month.
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 organizations, institutions, and subject matters.
Key Takeaways — Foreign Affairs
- International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, International Justice Mission Canada were more active than usual.
Section A: The Themes Hidden in April 2026 Data
New Hate Crime Law Spurs Advocacy
Canada’s new hate crime and online hate legislation took effect in July 2026, directly responding to a spike in hate crimes and addressing long-standing calls for reform by organisations such as The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the National Council of Canadian Muslims, as expressed in meetings with the House of Commons and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). This legislative milestone coincided with intense lobbying for stronger anti-hate laws and enhanced government funding to protect at-risk communities, such as Jewish and Muslim groups, with The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs also engaging the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Public Safety Canada on sustained and recurrent funding to safeguard community security. Civil society and affected organizations have expressed both cautious relief and apprehension over the law’s breadth.
📎 New hate law takes effect amid warnings it is ‘vague and worrisome’
Breakthrough in Canada-China Agri-Trade
March 2026 saw Canada secure reduced or suspended tariffs on canola and other key agri-exports to China, following years of disruption. This trade breakthrough came amid a sharp uptick in lobbying from organizations such as the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group engaging with Global Affairs Canada, and the National Council of Canadian Muslims meeting with the House of Commons, all seeking relief from export barriers, and is credited with restoring multi-billion dollar export flows—especially in the canola sector. Producer groups had been advocating for expedited trade negotiations and greater government support to navigate international market challenges.
📎 Canola Council of Canada · CBC
Geopolitical Tensions Drive Trade Diversification Push
Canada’s strategy in 2026 to diversify international trade, especially in agri-food, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions and U.S. protectionism. This shift aligns with increased lobbying from the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group and The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, who have pressed Global Affairs Canada for rules-based trade systems and updated risk management programs to mitigate volatility in global markets. Policy momentum reflects concern about exposure to trade disruptions and the need for new international market access.
Section B: 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 International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, and International Justice Mission Canada.
On the quieter side, National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), and BLS International all pulled back from their usual pace.
Section C: 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 organization-institution pairs with the most unusual lobbying behavior last month.
Organizations → Government Institutions
The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:
↳ The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs → Prime Minister's Office (PMO): 3 meetings (avg 2, +50%).
Section D: Organization Lobbying by Subject in the Past Month
All lobbying activity is tagged with a "subject matter". This section shows the organization-subject pairs with the most unusual lobbying behavior last month.
Organizations → Subjects
↳ Motor vehicle manufacturing → International Trade: 100 meetings (avg 56, +79%).
↳ Crop production → International Trade: 99 meetings (avg 73, +35%).
↳ Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing → International Trade: 58 meetings (avg 24, +145%).
The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:
↳ Canadian Canola Growers Association → International Trade: 32 meetings (avg 12, +159%).
↳ Pharmascience Inc. → International Trade: 28 meetings (avg 3, +950%).
↳ Pharmascience Inc. → International Relations: 28 meetings (avg 3, +950%).
Section E: 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 organizations last month.
Most Lobbied Individuals by Organization
Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs → Duncan Tooley (Prime Minister's Office (PMO)), International Justice Mission Canada → Andrew Cardozo (Senate of Canada) and International Justice Mission Canada → Baltej Singh Dhillon (Senate of Canada).
