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 — Manufacturing

• Lobbying activity totalled 269 meetings in May 2026, roughly in line with its 12-month average of 259.7.
• The biggest moves were in Metal manufacturing and Chemical manufacturing (basic).
• Evraz Inc. NA Canada, Spectra Aluminum Products Ltd. were more active than usual.

Real-World Context — Manufacturing, May 2026

Surge in Metal Manufacturing Lobbying Amid Trade Policy Shifts

Lobbying by metal manufacturers notably increased in May, coinciding with ongoing discussions around steel tariffs, trade agreements, and Canada's industrial strategy. Official lobbying records confirm focus on countermeasures related to U.S. steel tariffs and trade diversion issues, aligning with federal reviews of steel safeguard measures and continued uncertainty about North American trade policies. This activity is occurring amid high-profile government consultations on steel safeguards and counter-dumping actions.

📎 Canada launches consultations on steel safeguard measures · Canada Initiates Review of Steel Import Measures

Climate Policy and Investment Tax Credits Drive Carbon Capture Advocacy

Meetings advocating for carbon capture incentives and Strategic Innovation Fund support coincide with recent expansion of federal climate programs and the 2026 budget provisions for clean tech tax credits. Lobbyists specifically referenced carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), matching federal moves to accelerate investments in clean industry and meet emissions targets under the Canadian Climate Plan.

📎 Federal Budget 2026 Announces Expanded CCUS Investment Tax Credit · Canada launches investment tax credits for carbon capture technology

Jump in Apparel and Textile Lobbying Amid Trade Discussions

The spike in lobbying activity by apparel, leather, and textile manufacturers aligns with government attention to global trade regimes and increasing competitive pressures from imports. Although no specific government action targeting textiles was announced in May, multiple industry lobbying records cite trade policy and export market access, dovetailing with ongoing federal reviews of import policies and sector support programs.

📎 Canada reviews textile import safeguard measures · Calls for renewed focus on apparel export competitiveness

Lobbying on Economic Policy Tied to Federal Budget Consultations

Many meetings referenced economic and fiscal policy, including corporate taxation and federal budget measures for manufacturing competitiveness. This coincides with the federal pre-budget consultation process and ongoing deliberations about industrial subsidy programs, tax changes, and workforce development strategies in Ottawa.

📎 Finance launches pre-budget consultations · Federal government eyes new industrial subsidies in 2026 budget

Wood and Paper Manufacturing Lobbying Rises as Housing Policy Evolves

Lobbying upticks in the wood and paper sector correspond with ongoing government rollouts of housing and building code changes. Sample meeting records mention engagement on national building code change processes and national housing policy, as the federal government accelerates new housing initiatives and construction standards.

📎 Ottawa launches new housing accelerator fund · National Building Code 2025/26 Updates Announced

Federal Clean Tech Policy Spurs Hydrogen and CCS Lobbying

Lobbying records show manufacturers advocating for hydrogen and carbon capture incentives, aligning with recent federal strategies to promote hydrogen deployment and establish a regulatory framework for clean energy projects. This push follows the federal Hydrogen Strategy update and strong signals the government will support large-scale demonstration projects in Alberta and beyond.

📎 Canada’s Hydrogen Strategy Update Released · Ottawa Backs Alberta Hydrogen & CCS Projects

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 269 meetings in May 2026, roughly in line with its 12-month average of 260. The most active industry was Metal manufacturing, while Wood and paper product manufacturing rose above its recent baseline.

The industries with the most notable increases in lobbying this month include Apparel, leather and textile manufacturing logged 15 meetings, up from an average of 6, Metal manufacturing logged 149 meetings, up from an average of 89, and Furniture and related product manufacturing logged 3 meetings, up from an average of 1.

On the quieter side, Chemical manufacturing had 9 meetings, down from an average of 18, Cement, concrete and building materials manufacturing had 11 meetings, down from an average of 27, Machinery manufacturing had 8 meetings, down from an average of 13, Miscellaneous manufacturing had 2 meetings, down from an average of 6, Chemical manufacturing (basic) had 8 meetings, down from an average of 25, Cosmetics, cleaning compound and toiletries had no lobbying meetings this month, down from an average of 1, Plastics product manufacturing had no lobbying meetings this month, down from an average of 2, Rubber product manufacturing had 6 meetings, down from an average of 10, HVAC and refrigeration equipment manufacturing had 2 meetings, down from an average of 2, and Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing had 1 meetings, down from an average of 4.

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

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

↳ Chemical manufacturing (basic) displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

↳ Cement, concrete and building materials manufacturing has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Cement, concrete and building materials manufacturing 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 Evraz Inc. NA Canada, Spectra Aluminum Products Ltd., and Apex Aluminum Extrusions Ltd.

On the quieter side, ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P., and Air Products Canada Ltd. all pulled back from their usual pace.

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:

↳ Metal manufacturing → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 34 meetings (avg 21, +65%).

↳ Metal manufacturing → Privy Council Office (PCO): 33 meetings (avg 12, +187%).

The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:

↳ Hitachi Energy → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 7 meetings (avg 1, +546%).

↳ Legnano Teknoelectric Company North America Inc. → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 6 meetings (avg 2, +177%).

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:

↳ Metal manufacturing → International Trade: 121 meetings (avg 65, +87%).

↳ Metal manufacturing → Industry: 109 meetings (avg 46, +134%).

↳ Metal manufacturing → Economic Development: 107 meetings (avg 40, +168%).

The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:

↳ Evraz Inc. NA Canada → Labour: 14 meetings (avg 3, +342%).

↳ Evraz Inc. NA Canada → Economic Development: 14 meetings (avg 3, +342%).

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 Metal manufacturing → Niloo Boroun (Finance Canada (FIN)), Metal manufacturing → Janice Charette (Privy Council Office (PCO)) and Metal manufacturing → Galen Richardson (Privy Council Office (PCO)).

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. → Andrew Chouinard (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)), J.D. Irving, Limited → Wayne Long (Finance Canada (FIN)) and ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. → Charles Vincent (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)).