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 — Social Issues

• Lobbying activity totalled 400 meetings in February 2026, up from a 12-month average of 219.2.
• The biggest moves were in Charitable organizations and Labour organizations.
• Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions were more active than usual.

Section A: The Themes Hidden in February 2026 Data

Regulatory Uncertainty Drives Charitable Sector Advocacy

The elimination of pre-approval and automatic CRA reviews for changes to a charity’s purposes has led to heightened uncertainty and a greater burden on charities to ensure compliance. This regulatory pivot coincides with a notable surge in lobbying from charitable organizations such as Imagine Canada at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), which are seeking clarity and enhanced consultation mechanisms in the wake of the new expectations.

📎 Charity & NFP Law Update - February 2026

Modernization Push Fuels Sector Mobilization

Recent modernization initiatives for the charitable sector—including digital administration and targeted CRA reforms—have triggered increased advocacy from charities such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Canadian Red Cross, who are actively engaging with Finance Canada and the House of Commons to influence the federal approach. This trend in government engagement is happening alongside the sector’s push for stronger representation and a dedicated governmental ‘home’.

📎 Charitable Sector “Modernization”: CRA Hints At What’s ... - Mondaq

Lower Lobby Registration Threshold Spurs Broad-Based Reporting

Reducing the federal lobbying registration threshold from approximately 32 to 8 hours per month has made compliance and reporting obligations relevant to a much broader segment of organizations, particularly small and mid-sized charities such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Imagine Canada. This regulatory change, combined with the CRA’s digital-first submission mandates discussed in meetings with Imagine Canada, is seen as a likely driver behind the higher volume and diversity of lobbying activity this February.

📎 Four charities stories to watch in 2026, including two happening now · Canada Charity Law Changes in 2026: What Registered Charities Need to Know

Expanded NPO Reporting Proposed Amid Sector Response

Draft federal legislation introduced in late 2025 proposes extensive new reporting for nearly all non-profit organizations, marking a significant shift towards transparency. The legislative process and resulting compliance debate coincided with a marked increase in sector lobbying, as organizations such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals and March of Dimes Canada engaged with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Finance Canada to shape the implementation and minimize administrative burden.

📎 New draft legislation expands CRA reporting obligations for non-profit ...

Government Reassures Religious Charities, Spurring Event-Driven Advocacy

In response to sector apprehension, late 2025 saw the federal government commit publicly against legislative changes targeting charitable status for religious organizations, opting to use existing compliance tools instead. This move appears to coincide with a spike in advocacy, particularly from groups such as Oxfam Canada, which engaged with the House of Commons and the Prime Minister's Office, and human rights organizations like Rainbow Railroad meeting with both the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada, all aiming to safeguard their operational standing and charitable status.

📎 A Year in Review: Key Canadian Charity and Non-profit Developments From ... · Canadian Government: Recommendations on Charitable Status

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 400 meetings in February 2026, up from a 12-month average of 219. The most active industry was Charitable organizations, while Labour organizations rose above its recent baseline.

The industries with the most notable increases in lobbying this month include Labour organizations logged 131 meetings, up from an average of 80, Charitable organizations logged 166 meetings, up from an average of 72, and Human rights organizations logged 45 meetings, up from an average of 16.

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

Charitable organizations saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in February 2026.

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

↳ Charitable organizations displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

Labour organizations saw lobbying run notably above expected levels in February 2026.

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

↳ Labour organizations displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

↳ Human rights organizations has been on a broadly upward trajectory in lobbying over the past year.

↳ Human rights organizations displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.

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

↳ Religious organizations 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 Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam Canada, and Unifor.

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:

↳ Labour organizations → House of Commons: 81 meetings (avg 44, +86%).

↳ Charitable organizations → House of Commons: 66 meetings (avg 28, +139%).

↳ Charitable organizations → Global Affairs Canada (GAC): 29 meetings (avg 15, +91%).

The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:

↳ Canadian Union of Public Employees → House of Commons: 34 meetings (avg 3, +1003%).

↳ Unifor → House of Commons: 18 meetings (avg 3, +500%).

↳ Islamic Relief Canada → House of Commons: 17 meetings (avg 3, +410%).

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:

↳ Charitable organizations → International Development: 109 meetings (avg 39, +181%).

↳ Labour organizations → Budget: 62 meetings (avg 26, +137%).

↳ Labour organizations → Economic Development: 59 meetings (avg 13, +345%).

The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:

↳ Canadian Union of Public Employees → Economic Development: 43 meetings (avg 4, +1022%).

↳ Canadian Union of Public Employees → Budget: 39 meetings (avg 3, +1100%).

↳ Canadian Union of Public Employees → Labour: 28 meetings (avg 3, +888%).

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 Charitable organizations → Elizabeth May (House of Commons), Charitable organizations → Salma Zahid (House of Commons) and Charitable organizations → Karina Gould (House of Commons).

Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs → Hanife Moosimfar (Justice Canada (JC)), Right To Play → Anik Labelle (Global Affairs Canada (GAC)) and Right To Play → Kaleigh Beauvais (Global Affairs Canada (GAC)).