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 — Higher Ed

• Lobbying activity totalled 225 meetings in September 2026, down from a 12-month average of 254.5.
• The most notable shift was in Educational services.
• Simon Fraser University, University of Manitoba were more active than usual.

Section A: The Themes Hidden in September 2026 Data

Federal AI Strategy Fuels Intense University Advocacy

September saw university lobbying intensify around artificial intelligence—a trend that coincides with Canada’s rollout of its ‘AI for All’ strategy, which prioritizes research, talent development, and digital infrastructure. Polytechnics Canada and Mitacs Inc. advocated for expanded funding with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), particularly targeting the national AI institutes and STEM skills training, reflecting broader efforts to secure new resources in light of this federal agenda.

📎 Canada’s new federal AI strategy - Dentons

Major Infrastructure Funding Amplifies Lobbying on Facilities

A March infrastructure investment exceeding $552 million set the tone for September lobbying with universities such as The University of British Columbia and the University of Saskatchewan pushing for facility upgrades and research lab enhancements. Lobbyists from Canadian Light Source Inc. and the Digital Research Alliance of Canada echoed the urgency for sustained and expanded council funding for infrastructure—an issue highlighted by the announced investments supporting quantum computing, sustainable energy, and digital research capabilities in higher education in discussions with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the House of Commons.

📎 Major research infrastructure investment positions Canada to lead on ... · Canada Federal Research Priorities 2026: University Funding

Climate and Digital Research Priorities Spur Targeted Advocacy

Federal grants for climate resilience, ocean monitoring, and digital initiatives—for example, at Dalhousie University—coincide with lobbying by Dalhousie University at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the House of Commons, and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), focused on climate change research and digital transformation. Sector advocates this month, including The University of British Columbia engaging Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), emphasized the need for ongoing support for these interdisciplinary fields, aligning their messaging with recent infrastructure awards aimed at climate and science innovation.

📎 New federal infrastructure support accelerates Dal’s climate and ...

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 225 meetings in September 2026, down from a 12-month average of 254. The most active industry was Universities, colleges and research institutes, while Science and engineering research fell below its recent baseline.

Educational services had 15 meetings, down from an average of 24.

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 2026-09

Universities, colleges and research institutes saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in September 2026.

↳ Universities, colleges and research institutes has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Science and engineering research has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Science and engineering research displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

↳ Educational services has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Educational services 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 Simon Fraser University, University of Manitoba, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and Polytechnics Canada.

On the quieter side, University of Calgary pulled back from its 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:

↳ Universities, colleges and research institutes → House of Commons: 43 meetings (avg 57, -25%).

↳ Universities, colleges and research institutes → Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC): 14 meetings (avg 11, +26%).

The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:

↳ Simon Fraser University → House of Commons: 9 meetings (avg 2, +370%).

↳ Polytechnics Canada → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 5 meetings (avg 2, +216%).

↳ Universities Canada → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 5 meetings (avg 2, +200%).

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 most active industry → subject pair was Universities, colleges and research institutes → Research and Development with 141 meetings.

The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:

↳ Canadian Medical Association → Science and Technology: 28 meetings (avg 12, +126%).

↳ Canadian Medical Association → Employment and Training: 24 meetings (avg 13, +82%).

↳ Simon Fraser University → Infrastructure: 16 meetings (avg 5, +243%).

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 Universities, colleges and research institutes → Nipun Vats (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)), Universities, colleges and research institutes → Alejandro Adem (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)) and Universities, colleges and research institutes → Varun Srivatsan (Finance Canada (FIN)).

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were Northstar Earth & Space Inc. → David McFarlane (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)), Nipissing University → Pauline Rochefort (House of Commons) and Colleges and Institutes Canada → Samuel Millar (Finance Canada (FIN)).