Technology companies increasingly lobby the Canadian federal government. The Tech Lobby Project regularly submits Access to Information (ATI) requests for records relating to lobbying communications between Canadian federal government departments and companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, IBM, Microsoft, Netflix, Twitter, Sidewalk Labs and Uber. Read more about our ATI requests here. Below you can find a list of the documents we’ve received recently in response to our ATI requests.
You can subscribe to receive a list of descriptions of recent ATI responses we have received by monthly email by signing up to our monthly email listserv here. For more information, or to access the documents themselves, please email Sara Bannerman at banners@mcmaster.ca
Received in October 2023
Canadian Heritage ATI Re-Requests
| Document Link | Reference |
| The document includes a memorandum for Hélène Laurendeau regarding a ‘Year 2 Survey’: Generic Terms and Conditions. The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) has requested that departments complete an online survey regarding departmental uptake of the Generic Terms and Conditions (Ts&Cs). The document includes Laurendeau’s survey response as well as a draft of the PCH Microgrant Report. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00421 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-02184: “Generic Terms and Conditions: Year 2 Survey”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a letter to the Deputy Minister Flack and Secretary Wallace regarding Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at Canadian Heritage. As stated in the summary, “The Nov 7, 2019, the Strategic Planning Directorate made a presentation to the Executive Committee about the integration of the SDG in PCH’s Departmental Result Framework (DRF). This approach was endorsed by the Committee”. Attached is the proposed letter to Graham Flack, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada and to Peter Wallace, Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00424 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-02109: “Letters to Deputy Minister Flack and Secretary Wallace Regarding Sustainable Development Goals at Canadian Heritage”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a memorandum to Hélène Laurendeau requiring a decision on a ‘response letter to Mr. Roberto Viola following up on the joint workplan with the European Union Digital Dialogues’. The document includes a letter to DF Viola providing an update on the progress of their joint workplan and workshop on disinformation and diversity of content from their meeting in Gatineau on November 28 and 29, 2019. In addition, summary information from the copyright workshop in Brussels that took place from October 16-18, 2019. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00425 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-02085: “Response Letter to Mr. Roberto Viola Following up on the Joint Workplan with the European Union (Digital Dialogues)”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| Document includes a memorandum for Hélène Laurendeau requiring her response to the Survey of Chief Financial Officers for the 2020 Federal Budget. Memorandum is written in French. There is a letter to Laurendeau from Peter Wallace (Secretary of the Treasury Board) and Ian Shugart (Clerk of the Privy Council). The purpose of the survey is to gain departmental input to improve the accuracy of the expense forecast in the upcoming budget. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00426 Briefing Note to Deputy Minister CH2019-02297: “Chief Financial Officer Survey for the 2020 Federal Budget”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a memorandum for the Honourable Steven Guilbeault regarding the 2020 Creative Industries Trade Mission to Europe. A decision is needed to proceed with the announcement and planning of the Creative Industries Trade Mission to Europe in May 2020. The memo includes the hospitality cost, background information and the objective of the mission. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00427 Briefing Note to the Minister CH2019-02197: “2020 Creative Industries Trade Mission to Europe”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a memorandum for the Honorable Mélanie Joly regarding the Supplementary Expenditure Budget for 2019-2020.Documents are written in French and include summaries, budgets and credits. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00429 Briefing Note to the Minister CH2019-02177: “2019-2020 Supplementary Estimates (A)”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| Document includes an information note for the Honourable Bardish Chagger regarding 2019-20 Supplementary Estimates (A). The document also includes Canadian Heritage’s itemized budgetary expenditures. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00430 Briefing Note to the Minister CH2019-02175: “2019-2020 Supplementary Estimates (A)”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a briefing note on the Forum of the UNESCO Ministers of Culture. The forum took place on November 19, 2019, in Paris, on the sidelines of its 4th General Conference. None of the ministers were able to participate because the swearing-in of the new Council of Ministers was taking place on November 20, 2019. The document however includes some additional information on the event, considerations and the current situation. The document was produced in French. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00431 Briefing Note to the Minister CH2019-02199: “Forum of the UNESCO Ministers of Culture”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes letters to the Honourable Mélanie Joy from the Honourable Steven Guilbeault. The letter is regarding Prime Minister Trudeau’s intention to give the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages full power over the administration of the Department’s Official Languages program. Some of these ministerial duties were transferred to the Honourable Melanie Joy by degree and Honourable Guilbeault is offering support in her responsibilities relating to official languages. The document is written in French. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00440 Briefing Note to the Minister CH2019-02386: “Letter to the Honourable Mélanie Joly – Spending Authority”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a letter to the attention of Hélène Laurendeau requiring the approval of the analysis of impact on activities. They have provided the Business Impact Analysis (AIA) of Canadian Heritage to be done by the Departmental Security Directorate and health and safety at work. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00441 Briefing Note to Deputy Minister CH2019-02228: “Approval of the Business Impact Analysis”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a note for Hélène Laurendeau regarding a directive for security sweeps. The document includes context, consideration, communications and recommendations. In response, Helene approves the recommendation. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00443 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-01838: “Approval of the Canadian Heritage Safety Sweep Directive”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a qualitative analysis that was shared regarding the final report of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel. In the report, it includes some information about the landscape and a review of the public’s response. In addition, there are some email exchanges around this communication. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00451 From January 1, 2020 to March 3, 2020, All Records Regarding the Broadcast and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel and Panel Chair Janet Yale Related to Media Requests, Media Lines, Public Appearances, Public Commentary, Letters to the Editor, and/or Media Submissions. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes the communication report on the ‘Final Report of Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel’. The report will be presented to Minister Guilbeault and Minister Bains on January 30th, 2020. In the communication report, they’ve recommended changes to the Telecommunications Act, the Radiocommunications Act, and the Broadcasting Act. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00451 From January 1, 2020 to March 3, 2020, All Records Regarding the Broadcast and Telecommunications Legislative Review Panel and Panel Chair Janet Yale Related to Media Requests, Media Lines, Public Appearances, Public Commentary, Letters to the Editor, and/or Media Submissions. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes an inventory of planned research from 2018-2019. The spreadsheet includes the branch, project title, project description, project type, cycle, notes, cost and update. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00457 From January 1, 2018 to March 11, 2020, a List of All Studies, Research, Analyses and Evaluations Commissioned Internally or Externally by Canadian Heritage. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a list from March 1, 2015, to April 13, 2020, of all grants and contributions awards and consulting contracts of $1,000 or more approved by Canadian Heritage (part 1). | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00001 From March 1, 2015 to April 13, 2020, the List of All Grants and Contributions Awards and Consulting Contracts of $1,000 or More Approved by Canadian Heritage. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a list from March 1, 2015, to April 13, 2020, of all grants and contributions awards and consulting contracts of $1,000 or more approved by Canadian Heritage (part 2). | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00001 From March 1, 2015 to April 13, 2020, the List of All Grants and Contributions Awards and Consulting Contracts of $1,000 or More Approved by Canadian Heritage. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a list from March 1, 2015, to April 13, 2020, of all grants and contributions awards and consulting contracts of $1,000 or more approved by Canadian Heritage (part 3). | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00001 From March 1, 2015 to April 13, 2020, the List of All Grants and Contributions Awards and Consulting Contracts of $1,000 or More Approved by Canadian Heritage. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes an application form for the Local Journalism Initiatives from News Media Canada. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00005 Copies of All Successful Applications Submitted for Funding from the Local Journalism Initiative, from the Beginning of the Application Period to April 21, 2020. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document consists of a strategic brief for a meeting with Joe Natale, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rogers and Rick Brace, President, Rogers Media. The main topic of discussion for the meeting is the broadcasting and telecommunication legislative review that is currently under way (Broadcasting Act). In addition, they plan to discuss the implementation of changes to the Canadian Media Fund (CMF) that were announced last year; and ongoing processes at the CRTC. The document includes messages, speaking points, background information on Rogers and more. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00008 “All Records Pertaining to the Following Meetings of Rogers Communications Inc.: On May 1, 2019, with Jeremy Gauthier, Policy Advisor Canadian Heritage (PCH). On May 22, 2019, with Patricia Beh, Director of Policy Canadian Heritage (PCH). On June 14, 2019, with Faizel Gulamhussein, Senior Policy Advisor Canadian Heritage (PCH). On August 1, 2019, with Patricia Beh, Acting Chief of Staff Canadian Heritage (PCH). On August 12, 2019, with Patricia Beh, Acting Chief of Staff Canadian Heritage (PCH) and Faizel Gulamhussein, Senior Policy Advisor Canadian Heritage (PCH). On September 27, 2019, with Hélène Laurendeau, Deputy Minister Canadian Heritage (PCH). On February 27, 2020, with Mathieu Bouchard, Chief of Staff Canadian Heritage (PCH), Rebecca Caldwell, Director of Policy Canadian Heritage (PCH), Steven Guilbeault, Minister Canadian Heritage (PCH) and Helene Laurendeau, Deputy Minister Canadian Heritage (PCH).” Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a research paper written by Paul J. Heald titled ‘The Impact of Implementing a 25-Year Reversion/Termination Right in Canada’. The study was developed to answer in part INDU’s recommendation (8) pertaining to the amending of the Copyright Act, discussed in an email exchange between Canadian Heritage staff. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00012 From February 5, 2020 to May 6, 2020, All Records Regarding Revisionary Interest and/or Termination Rights and/or the Reversion of Rights to Creators/Artists or Their Heirs after a Certain Time Period. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document includes a memo for Hélène Laurendeau regarding a survey on the effects of foreign production and production services for the Canadian film and television production industry. The document also includes some background information, infographics based on the survey results, and a final presentation. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2020-00159: “Survey on the Impact of Foreign Production and Production Services on the Canadian Film and Television Production Industry”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |
| The document is a processing report for the treatment of the Carillon Flag for the Seminary Museum of Quebec. | Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2020-00023 From July 1, 2019 to July 31, 2019, Communications Sent to the Deputy Minister’s Office Regarding the Concept of Reversion in Copyright Law. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information. |