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

Steel Import Crackdown Alters Supply Chain Strategies

The government's new restrictions on steel imports, including steep tariffs and quota reductions for non-FTA partners, have prompted Canadian manufacturers to adjust procurement and operational strategies. This shift coincides with increased lobbying from Algoma and the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction to Employment and Social Development Canada and the House of Commons, as well as advocacy by the Canadian Steel Producers Association to Finance Canada, with all calling for stronger trade remedies and 'Buy Canadian' policies, likely in response to global steel overcapacity and U.S. tariff pressures.

📎 Canada further shuts its market to steel imports · Canada announces steel & lumber measures

Chemical Ban Spurs Environmental Compliance Lobbying

The overhaul of toxic substance regulations, especially bans on PFAS and key flame retardants, is prompting manufacturers—particularly in rubber and chemical sectors, including members of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada and the Canadian Coatings Association—to intensify lobbying on environmental compliance with Health Canada and the House of Commons. This regulatory tightening, including a newly launched 'Watch List' for future restrictions, comes amid sector calls for decarbonization incentives and fair, evidence-based chemical management.

📎 Canada updates toxic substances regulations · Canada PFAS ban 2026: Toxic substances regulation compliance guide

Biofuel Incentives Reshape Industry Lobbying Landscape

New amendments to the Clean Fuel Regulations and significant government incentives—discussed extensively by Renewable Industries Canada with the Privy Council Office and House of Commons—are reshaping competitiveness for domestic biofuel producers. The policy shift, aimed at securing supply chain stability amid market volatility and U.S. subsidies, aligns with heightened lobbying by Advanced Biofuels Canada in meetings with Environment and Climate Change Canada and Privy Council Office, as well as renewable fuel and chemical manufacturing groups seeking a 'level playing field' for Canadian-made fuels.

📎 Canada proposes targeted CFR amendments and $370 Million Biofuel Production Support · Potential amendments to the federal Clean Fuel Regulations

Procurement Policy Drives Domestic Material Advocacy

A renewed push for federal procurement frameworks favoring Canadian-made materials is influencing lobbying activity across manufacturing sectors, with organisations such as the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction and Algoma advancing their positions in meetings with Public Services and Procurement Canada and the House of Commons. Advocates are calling for minimum domestic content standards and procurement bid balancing, as government priorities shift towards resilient supply chains in public projects—especially for steel, wood, and related products.

📎 Lobbying on Manufacturing - Ottawa (April 2026 edition)

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.

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.

↳ Wood and paper product manufacturing displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

↳ 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%).

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

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

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 → Charles Vincent (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)), Metal manufacturing → Tim Krupa (Prime Minister's Office (PMO)) and Metal manufacturing → Mélanie Joly (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)).

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)).