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 — Mining

• Lobbying activity totalled 231 meetings in February 2026, up from a 12-month average of 144.8.
• The biggest moves were in Oil, gas and mining support services and Mining (metal ore).
• Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association, Wyloo Metals were more active than usual.

Section A: The Themes Hidden in February 2026 Data

Surge in Mining Lobbying Driven by Critical Minerals Investment Package

A significant increase in mining lobbying during February 2026 coincides with Ottawa’s unveiling of a $3.6 billion critical minerals investment package, with Glencore Canada Corporation and Global Battery Materials engaging Natural Resources Canada and Finance Canada on related policy and funding issues. Industry groups have intensified efforts to secure grants and shape infrastructure policy as the government allocates funds to extraction, processing, and recycling projects.

📎 Canada’s $3.6 Billion Critical Minerals Investment Package: What You Need to Know

Streamlined Permitting Process Triggers Lobbying Uptick

The launch of new regulatory navigation tools, including the Mine Permit Navigator and a fast-track approval system, comes amid a notable rise in mining industry advocacy for more efficient project development. Lobbyists from Agnico Eagle Mines Limited and Pine Point Mining have been prioritizing outreach to government officials at Natural Resources Canada for clear and expedited permitting, mirroring the policy reforms announced in early March.

📎 Canada’s $3.6 Billion Critical Minerals Investment Package: What You Need to Know

Critical Minerals Redefined as National Security Priority

Recent government declarations at PDAC 2026 recognizing mining as a national security industry have coincided with lobbying efforts by Teck Resources Limited and Global Battery Materials, including meetings with Finance Canada (FIN) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), citing supply chain resilience and strategic trade. The shift brings stricter foreign investment scrutiny and appears to have galvanized stakeholders to advocate for domestic processing incentives and alignment with defense supply chains.

📎 Top 5 Things To Know About PDAC 2026 And Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy

Indigenous Engagement Requirements Shape Lobbying Activity

Federal funding models prioritizing Indigenous leadership and partnership in mining projects come amid increased lobbying on project impact and infrastructure on or near Indigenous territories by Northisle Copper and Gold Inc., Pine Point Mining, and Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, including meetings with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Stakeholder meetings have emphasized the importance of consultation, reflecting the government's focus on inclusive participation in resource development.

📎 Canada’s $3.6 Billion Critical Minerals Investment Package: What You Need to Know

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 231 meetings in February 2026, up from a 12-month average of 145. The most active industry was Mining (metal ore), while Oil, gas and mining support services rose above its recent baseline.

The industries with the most notable increases in lobbying this month include Oil, gas and mining support services logged 51 meetings, up from an average of 11, and Mining (metal ore) logged 114 meetings, up from an average of 74.

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 2026-02

Mining (metal ore) saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in February 2026.

↳ Mining (metal ore) has been on a broadly upward trajectory in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Mining (metal ore) displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

Oil, gas and mining support services saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in February 2026.

↳ Oil, gas and mining support services has been on a broadly upward trajectory in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Oil, gas and mining support services displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

Mining saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in February 2026.

↳ Mining has been on a broadly upward trajectory in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Mining 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 Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association, Wyloo Metals, Global Battery Materials, and Vale Canada Limited.

On the quieter side, The Mining Association of Canada (MAC) 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:

↳ Mining (metal ore) → Natural Resources Canada (NRCan): 30 meetings (avg 19, +55%).

↳ Mining (metal ore) → House of Commons: 29 meetings (avg 12, +142%).

↳ Mining → Natural Resources Canada (NRCan): 22 meetings (avg 14, +61%).

The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:

↳ Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association → House of Commons: 12 meetings (avg 2, +658%).

↳ Wyloo Metals → Privy Council Office (PCO): 6 meetings (avg 0, +1100%).

↳ Vale Canada Limited → House of Commons: 6 meetings (avg 2, +188%).

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:

↳ Mining (metal ore) → Mining: 101 meetings (avg 68, +48%).

↳ Mining (metal ore) → Natural Resources: 82 meetings (avg 47, +75%).

↳ Mining (metal ore) → Economic Development: 82 meetings (avg 52, +57%).

The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:

↳ Wyloo Metals → Regional Development: 17 meetings (avg 2, +750%).

↳ Wyloo Metals → Natural Resources: 17 meetings (avg 2, +750%).

↳ Wyloo Metals → Mining: 17 meetings (avg 2, +750%).

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 Mining (metal ore) → Michael Jason (Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)), Mining (metal ore) → Galen Richardson (Privy Council Office (PCO)) and Mining (metal ore) → Claude Guay (House of Commons).

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were Wyloo Metals → Claude Guay (House of Commons), Wyloo Metals → Eric Costen (Privy Council Office (PCO)) and Wyloo Metals → Michael Jason (Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)).