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 275 meetings in April 2026, up from a 12-month average of 243.4.
• The biggest moves were in Chemical manufacturing (basic) and Rubber product manufacturing.
• Kal Tire, Greenfield Global Inc. were more active than usual.

Section A: The Themes Hidden in April 2026 Data

Canada Implements Sweeping Steel Protection Measures

April 2026 saw the Canadian government introduce major trade and policy tools aimed at shielding the domestic steel industry from the effects of US tariffs and foreign competition, following active advocacy by Algoma and the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction with the House of Commons and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The measures—ranging from new import quotas and global tariffs to tighter anti-dumping enforcement—closely parallel industry lobbying from Algoma and the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction for resilient supply chains, low-carbon steel incentives, and domestic procurement. The action comes amid record lobbying activity from metal manufacturers seeking robust trade remedies and sustainability supports.

📎 Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to protect and transform ...

US Trade Barriers Prompt Countermeasures and Heightened Advocacy

Canadian manufacturing exporters have suffered steep declines—steel exports halved—following substantial US tariffs. The spring 2026 policy and lobbying landscape reflects a surge in pressure for new counter-tariffs, quotas, and procurement reform to compensate for lost market access, with ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. and the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction raising these concerns directly with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the House of Commons. Requests for trade enforcement align with fresh federal actions and an uptick in advocacy by steel and industrial associations, including Alcoa Canada Co. in meetings with Global Affairs Canada.

📎 One year later—Assessing the impact of US trade restrictions on ...

Tariff Relief and Border Enforcement Extended for Steel and Manufacturing

Coinciding with elevated lobbying from Algoma at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the Canadian Steel Producers Association at Finance Canada, Canada has prolonged tariff relief for certain US imports and introduced new support for manufacturing workers and modernization in response to global trade disruptions. Enhanced enforcement targets unfair steel imports, echoing persistent calls from manufacturers for stringent trade policing, competitive supply chain policies, and decarbonization incentives.

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

Biofuels and Chemicals Sectors Mobilize as Environmental Regulations Tighten

Lobbying by Renewable Industries Canada and Advanced Biofuels Canada, in meetings with the House of Commons, Privy Council Office, and Environment and Climate Change Canada, sharply increased in April, aligning with the rollout of new Clean Fuel Regulations and amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Industry efforts focus on influencing clean technology funding, environmental review criteria, and ensuring a level playing field for domestic producers amid federal decarbonization goals.

📎 Understanding Key Issues in the Canadian Steel Industry

Targeted Trade Safeguards Respond to Supply Chain Pressures

Amid a shift in global supply chain dynamics, Canadian authorities, including Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), introduced targeted industry safeguards and increased monitoring under evolving CUSMA obligations. The timing coincides with intensified manufacturing lobbying by Algoma and the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction around fair market access, domestic procurement for infrastructure, and stabilization of materials pricing for manufacturers facing international competition.

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

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 275 meetings in April 2026, up from a 12-month average of 243. The most active industry was Metal manufacturing, while Chemical manufacturing (basic) rose above its recent baseline.

The industries with the most notable increases in lobbying this month include Apparel, leather and textile manufacturing logged 9 meetings, up from an average of 4, Chemical manufacturing (basic) logged 54 meetings, up from an average of 25, Rubber product manufacturing logged 23 meetings, up from an average of 9, HVAC and refrigeration equipment manufacturing logged 3 meetings, up from an average of 2, and Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing logged 16 meetings, up from an average of 4.

On the quieter side, Chemical manufacturing had 11 meetings, down from an average of 17, Cement, concrete and building materials manufacturing had 15 meetings, down from an average of 26, Machinery manufacturing had 10 meetings, down from an average of 12, Electrical equipment, appliance and component manufacturing had 10 meetings, down from an average of 15, Miscellaneous manufacturing had 1 meetings, down from an average of 6, and Cosmetics, cleaning compound and toiletries had 1 meetings, down from an average of 1.

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

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

↳ Metal manufacturing has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.

Chemical manufacturing (basic) saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in April 2026.

↳ Chemical manufacturing (basic) has been on a broadly upward trajectory in lobbying over the past year.

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

↳ Wood and paper product manufacturing has been on a broadly upward trajectory in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Rubber product manufacturing has been on a broadly upward trajectory in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Rubber product manufacturing displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

↳ Miscellaneous 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 Kal Tire, Greenfield Global Inc., Renewable Industries Canada, Air Products Canada Ltd., and Canadian Institute of Steel Construction.

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:

↳ Chemical manufacturing (basic) → House of Commons: 20 meetings (avg 3, +627%).

The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:

↳ ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 11 meetings (avg 8, +45%).

↳ Air Products Canada Ltd. → Finance Canada (FIN): 7 meetings (avg 2, +211%).

↳ ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. → Prime Minister's Office (PMO): 7 meetings (avg 4, +71%).

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:

↳ Chemical manufacturing (basic) → Environment: 52 meetings (avg 23, +130%).

↳ Metal manufacturing → Industry: 47 meetings (avg 39, +21%).

↳ Metal manufacturing → International Trade: 44 meetings (avg 57, -23%).

The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:

↳ Air Products Canada Ltd. → Environment: 20 meetings (avg 11, +76%).

↳ Air Products Canada Ltd. → Taxation and Finance: 20 meetings (avg 11, +83%).

↳ Air Products Canada Ltd. → Industry: 20 meetings (avg 11, +76%).

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 → Tim Krupa (Prime Minister's Office (PMO)), Metal manufacturing → Charles Vincent (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)) and Metal manufacturing → Janice Charette (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)), ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. → Tim Krupa (Prime Minister's Office (PMO)) and ArcelorMittal Dofasco G.P. → Janice Charette (Privy Council Office (PCO)).