Lobbying on Utilities & Power - Ottawa (July 2026 edition)
Varme Energy, NextStar Energy, and Canadian Renewable Energy Association were unusually active lobbyists last month.
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 — Utilities & Power
- Lobbying activity totalled 174 meetings in June 2026, down from a 12-month average of 208.8.
- The biggest moves were in Utilities (integrated) and Utilities (transmission and distribution).
- Varme Energy, NextStar Energy were more active than usual.
Section A: The Themes Hidden in June 2026 Data
Federal Clean Fuel Regulation Overhaul Aligns with Biofuel Lobbying
A surge in lobbying for changes to Canada’s clean fuel regulations, particularly around bioenergy and carbon credit pathways, coincides with federal moves to amend the Clean Fuel Regulations and launch $370 million in new biofuel incentives. Recent meetings between the Canadian Biogas Association and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), as well as Enbridge Inc. with both NRCan and Finance Canada, exemplify these efforts. These policy consultations and regulatory adjustments aim to address competitive pressures on domestic biofuel producers and clarify eligibility for carbon intensity reductions, following sustained industry advocacy, including input from Bio Town Biogas.
📎 Canada Proposes Targeted CFR Amendments and $370 Million Biofuel Production Support While Suspending 2026 EV Targets Amid Market Challenges · Canada revises its automotive strategy with a view of ... - Dentons
Automotive Policy Shift Drives Battery and Charging Lobbying Surges
The sharp uptick in lobbying on EV batteries, charging infrastructure, and clean fuel incentive design parallels February’s federal announcement of a new Automotive Strategy, with organizations such as the Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council and ChargePoint actively engaging with Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Prime Minister's Office. This strategy replaces firm ZEV sales targets with a broader affordability and infrastructure package, generating high engagement as stakeholders—including SWTCH Energy Inc. and AddEnergie—seek to influence policy details on charging networks, EV purchase programs, and greenhouse gas standards.
📎 Canada's 2026 EV Strategy | BLG
Hydrogen Industry Lobbying Matches Federal Investment and Policy Activity
A marked rise in advocacy on hydrogen and fuel cells, particularly by the Canadian Hydrogen Association in its engagement with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and other federal institutions, coincides with a flurry of federal announcements supporting hydrogen commercialization, infrastructure, and credit frameworks. The June 2026 Canadian Hydrogen Association update references billions in prospective projects and new government programs, mirroring efforts to secure credits for carbon dioxide removals and hydrogen in the clean fuel market.
📎 Canadian Hydrogen Association: Sector Brief (June 26, 2026) · Canada Just Solved Hydrogen's Biggest Problem With $5K
Canola and Agri-Energy Groups Push for Clean Fuel Pathways
Pressure from agricultural and renewable energy associations—including the Canadian Biogas Association and Bio Town Biogas in their meetings with Natural Resources Canada, and Varme Energy’s consultations with the same department—for the inclusion of biogas, renewable natural gas, and BECCS in federal programs is reflected in industry calls for targeted amendments to the Clean Fuel Regulations. Their advocacy for domestic feedstock advantages and clearer CFR credit market rules comes as consultations on these amendments intensify, with groups like Varme Energy frequently engaging both Natural Resources Canada and the Privy Council Office.
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 174 meetings in June 2026, down from a 12-month average of 209. The most active industry was Electric power generation, while Utilities (integrated) fell below its recent baseline.
The industries with the most notable increases in lobbying this month include Batteries and charging logged 22 meetings, up from an average of 14, and Hydrogen and fuel cells logged 18 meetings, up from an average of 13.
On the quieter side, Utilities (integrated) had 21 meetings, down from an average of 40, Utilities (transmission and distribution) had 3 meetings, down from an average of 11, and Nuclear power had 17 meetings, down from an average of 24.
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 2026-06
↳ Pipelines and lng has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.
↳ Pipelines and lng displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.
↳ Utilities (transmission and distribution) has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.
↳ Utilities (transmission and distribution) displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.
↳ Batteries and charging displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.
↳ Hydrogen and fuel cells displayed high volatility, suggesting irregular or event-driven engagement.
↳ Nuclear power has been trending downward in lobbying over the past year.
↳ Nuclear power 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 Varme Energy, NextStar Energy, and Canadian Renewable Energy Association.
On the quieter side, Bruce Power, and AltaGas 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:
↳ Electric power generation → Natural Resources Canada (NRCan): 23 meetings (avg 18, +30%).
↳ Electric power generation → Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC): 15 meetings (avg 10, +49%).
The busiest organization → institution corridors this month:
↳ Pembina Pipeline Corporation → Privy Council Office (PCO): 9 meetings (avg 2, +272%).
↳ NextStar Energy → Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): 6 meetings (avg 1, +620%).
↳ Canadian Renewable Energy Association → Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC): 6 meetings (avg 2, +167%).
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 most active industry → subject pair was Electric power generation → Energy with 57 meetings.
The busiest organization → subject corridors this month:
↳ Canadian Renewable Energy Association → Energy: 19 meetings (avg 12, +62%).
↳ Canadian Renewable Energy Association → Economic Development: 14 meetings (avg 8, +75%).
↳ Canadian Renewable Energy Association → Climate: 14 meetings (avg 10, +41%).
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 Pipelines and lng → Tim Hodgson (Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)), Electric power generation → Brenna Walsh (Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)) and Batteries and charging → Natalie Woodland (Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)).
Among the individuals with the most notable meeting activity (by organization) this month were Pembina Pipeline Corporation → dawn farrell (Privy Council Office (PCO)), Pembina Pipeline Corporation → Kelsen Vallee (Privy Council Office (PCO)) and Canadian Charging Infrastructure Council → Natalie Woodland (Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)).
