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.

Section A: The Themes Hidden in May 2026 Data

Federal Steel Tariffs Tightened Amid Lobbying Surge

Stringent new federal tariffs and sharply reduced import quotas for steel coincide with exceptionally high lobbying activity from metal manufacturing groups such as the Canadian Steel Producers Association and Algoma, with direct meetings involving Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Finance Canada. The measures—imposed to address trade diversion and dumping—are paired with enhanced border enforcement and have triggered intense government engagement, particularly as temporary tariff remissions for U.S. steel approach expiry. This pattern aligns closely with real-time lobbying descriptions focused on tariffs, countermeasures, and supply chain disruptions, as seen in sustained engagement with Finance Canada and CBSA.

📎 Canada announces new trade measures to protect Canadian steel industry ...

Domestic Procurement and Shipping Measures Boosted

Recent lobbying by Longboard Architectural Products Inc and Algoma with Public Services and Procurement Canada, as well as engagement from the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, focused on national industrial development, supply chain policy, and procurement coincides with government initiatives to prioritize Canadian-made steel and lumber for major projects. Measures enacted in May and June 2026 included new Buy Canadian procurement rules and freight rate reductions for domestic shipments, supporting regional manufacturers and echoing lobbying for building code reform and housing policy changes.

📎 Canada's New Measures to Protect Steel and Lumber Industries

Cross-Border Trade Shifts Intensify Policy Engagement

A notable increase in lobbying on trade and counter-tariff measures by Canadian metal manufacturers, including Garaga Inc. and Algoma, in direct engagement with the Privy Council Office, Finance Canada, and the Prime Minister’s Office, coincides with evolving U.S. policy and new domestic responses, including tariff regimes and remission updates. The Canadian Steel Producers Association’s discussions with Canada Border Services Agency and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada have further reflected these developments, which have heightened uncertainty for exports, prompting targeted government consultations and strategic planning in spring 2026, as documented in recent trade analyses and official meetings.

📎 Canada Trade and Tariff Changes in 2026: Steel, EVs, and CUSMA Rules ...

Infrastructure Policies Favor Canadian Wood and Steel

Above-average lobbying from Algoma and the Canadian Steel Producers Association, meeting with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Public Services and Procurement Canada, coincides with federal measures supporting Canadian-made building materials in infrastructure and housing. New programs like 'Build Canada Homes' and updated procurement criteria have prompted direct industry engagement, as manufacturers such as Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd. and Element5 seek to shape sector-specific loan, guarantee, and policy support.

📎 Canada's New Measures to Protect Steel and Lumber Industries

Climate Incentives Drive Industrial Policy Consultations

Lobbying related to carbon capture investment tax credits and Strategic Innovation Fund support, including efforts by Heidelberg Materials with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Finance Canada (FIN), as well as engagement by the Canadian Steel Producers Association with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), reflects ongoing government consultations about climate policy and industrial modernization. As the federal government expands support for CCUS and hydrogen in Budget 2026, manufacturers such as the Canadian Steel Producers Association have increased engagement to influence eligibility and implementation, especially in heavy industry corridors.

📎 Spring Economic Update Expands Canada's Carbon Capture Tax Credit ...

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 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 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 2026-05

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 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 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 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:

↳ 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 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:

↳ 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 → Employment and Training: 14 meetings (avg 3, +331%).

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

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

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

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. → Charles Vincent (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)), Legnano Teknoelectric Company North America Inc. → James Milonas (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)) and ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. → Andrew Chouinard (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)).