ATI Requests Received in August

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

Tech Lobby News

A trip to the moon: AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa (The Tech Lobby)

Changes to lobbying rules could spell end to 50 years of free trips to Israel for Canadian MPs, senators (The Globe and Mail)

Canadian Chamber of Commerce forms AI council with members including Amazon, Google (The Canadian Press)

Received in August 2023

Amazon Distribution Fulfillment Services

Document Link

Reference

The document contains an email exchange between members of Health Canada and the Amazon/Amazon Distribution Fulfillment Services program, which also includes a meeting agenda and follow up questions. During these meetings, Health Canada expressed their distribution requirements amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. They needed to procure COVID-19 tests from various manufacturers and had initiated this meeting to discuss matters such as supply, market expansion, and related topics. Furthermore, Health Canada inquired with Amazon about the retail sale of rapid tests in the United States and sought information regarding their expectations for the Canadian market. Note: the same document is associated with the following communication log numbers from our ATI request: 510223 and 508443

Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2023-000276 Submitted to Health Canada for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #508443 Involving Chris Johnstone, Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Canada (HC) and Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC on May 18, 2021.” (Health Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Amazon Web Services

Document Link

Reference

Document includes an email exchange between members of AWS and Rhonda Fernandes the Director General from Youth Skills Innovation Directorate regarding the digital skills development training that they’ve received. The email also included an introduction between AWS and ISED’s Benoit Tessier and Olivier Quirion. In exchange it seems that AWS is interested in learning more about the new Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) that was announced in the 2021 Budget. However, Olivier and Benoit have said that they are limiting their interactions with stakeholders as they design the program.

Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00953 Submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #510568 Involving Benoit Tessier, Director General, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on June 16, 2021” (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

IBM Canada Ltd.

Document Link

Reference

Document includes information on the Apprenticeship and Sectoral Initiatives Program’s input to the Labour Program for a Ministerial meeting with International Business Machines officials on mental health and work-life balance and its initiatives around up-skilling and retraining as part of COVID recovery. The meeting is between Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and IBM Canada Ltd. Note: the same document is associated with the following communication log numbers from our ATI request: 507584, 534626, 514756, 510293, 490864, 490835, 488825.

Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2023-00470 Submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #542203 Involving Sarah Magee, Director of Operations, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and IBM Canada Ltd. on September 21, 2022.” (Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Microsoft Canada Inc.

Document Link

Reference

The document includes an email exchange between Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Microsoft. The exchange mentions ESDC and SSC movement towards cloud with the support of Microsoft. Note: the same document is associated with the following communication log numbers from our ATI request: 479328, 478164, 478138, 476264, 502659, 487943

Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2023-00483 Submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #490942 Involving Benoit Long, Sr. Assistant Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Microsoft Canada Inc. on November 02, 2020.” (Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

ATI Re-Requests Received in August 2023

Canadian Heritage

Document Link	Reference
Document includes the Government of Canada’s Ethical Guidelines for Public Office Holders and Guidelines for the Political Activities of Public Office Holders. A memorandum to the Honourable James Moore regarding individuals recently appointed and reappointed to the Canadian Heritage Portfolio. In addition, an email exchange between CRTC staff regarding Raj Shoan, previous CRTC Commissioner for the Canadian Heritage office.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2015-00099 Copy of A-2015-00099 From April 1, 2013 to July 8, 2015, All Records Regarding Raj Shoan, Commissioner for Ontario at the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2015), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes meeting documents, email exchanges, and presentations. Some of the goals of the Minister for the visit include discussions about culture and digitization, learning about the challenges and opportunities for digital and social inclusion. Additional broad parameters include support for Canada’s foreign policy objectives, promotion of Canadian values, advancement of cultural expertise and trade opportunities, and learning more about best practices for supporting cultural content creation	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request Copy of A-2016-00238 from August 2016: All Records Related to the Roundtable Discussion Involving UK Music and the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2016), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes information for the Honourable Melanie Joly’s various meetings with ministers and mayors to discuss a variety of topics. These include the National Capital Commission (NCC) initiatives such as Canada 150 and the Victims of Communism Monument, municipal representation on the Board of Directors of the NCC, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, discussions on Rogers and the telecom market in Canada, Motion Pictures, the Kielburger Brothers, and more from the Canadian Heritage office.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2016-00270 Copy of A-2016-00270: Records Pertaining to All of Minister Joly’s Meetings with Parties Outside of the Federal Government from November 4, 2015 to October 3, 2016 Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2016), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes a proposal for the 2016 budget allocation ($15.4M) to PILT for debt relief. In addition, the document includes speaking notes, fact sheet for the Minister, presentation for Canada’s 150, Agenda for Canadian Heritage Museum CEO’s Teleconference and more.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2017-00149 A-2017-00149: Briefing Notes for the Minister CH2017-00584: “Fact Sheet, Speaking Points and Bios for the DM’s Meeting with Corie Wright and Josh Korn of Netflix” and CH2017-00568: “Repurposing the 600Mhz Spectrum Board” Re-Requested under Access to Information Request AI-2018-00091 (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document released by Canadian Heritage include the meeting agenda and presentation for the Early Engagement Session to discuss the Revitalizing of Indigenous Languages. Presented by the Working Group of Ministers on the Review of Laws and Policies Related to Indigenous Peoples. In addition, there is also a report from the National Film Board of Canada from (2016-2017) including their Departmental Results Report.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2017-00307 Question Period Notes and Briefing Notes Created or Forwarded to the Minister of Canadian Heritage between September 29, 2017 and October 20, 2017. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2017), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes more briefing notes forwarded to the Minister of the Canadian Heritage. Including a report from the National Gallery of Canada (2016-2017 Annual Report). Information notes for the Honourable Melanie Joy regarding British Home Children and a corporate plan summary of the National Capital Commission and more.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2017-00307 Question Period Notes and Briefing Notes Created or Forwarded to the Minister of Canadian Heritage between September 29, 2017 and October 20, 2017. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2017), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes a summary of the 2019-20 to 2023-24 Corporate Plan and the 2019-20 Operating and Capital Budgets for the National Museum of Science and Technology. The documents include a summary of the museum’s financial position, operating and capital budgets. Documents were released by Canadian Heritage.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00308 Briefing Note to the Minister CH2019-01642: “Tabling of the 2019-2020 to 2023-2024 Corporate Plan Summary and 2019-2020 Summary of Operating and Capital for the National Museum of Science and Technology”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes a briefing for the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez for the approval of New Digital Citizen Contributions Program Guidelines. A decision was required by August 14, 2019, in order to launch the call for proposals by September 2019. The DCCP will contribute $5.9 million over four years towards research on online disinformation and digital citizenship, as well as funding tool development, digital media and civic literacy initiatives. Documents were released by Canadian Heritage.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00310 Briefing Note to the Minister CH2019-01535: “Approval of New Digital Citizen Contributions Program Guidelines”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Briefing note for Hélène Laurendeau regarding the Chief Information Officer Information Technology Support to Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada. The current status: PCH’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) is having CCPERB cover the cost of their IT Services for 2019/2020 and will seek an amendment to the current MOU that has not been revised since November 2014. Documents were released by Canadian Heritage.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00313 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-01286: “Chief Information Officer Support to Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Briefing notes to the Deputy Minister regarding the University Champion Meeting led by Taki Sarantakis the President of the Canada School of Public Service. The documents include the meeting agenda, memo, and scenario notes for speakers. The documents were released by Canadian Heritage.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00320 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-01836: “Deputy Minister University Champion Meeting at the Canada School of Public Service on September 18, 2019 Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes a draft report on the mission to Australia and New Zealand for Hélène Laurendeau. Documents include the trip details, purpose of engagement, framework, bilateral engagement and a workplan for the meeting in Australia. Goals of the workplan: address the discoverability of diverse local, regional and national content. Fight disinformation and promoting the quality and transparency of information.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00322 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-01854: “Draft Report: Mission to Australia and New Zealand”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes a presentation on the NCR Indigenous Protocol Package delivered on March 28, 2019, by Canadian Heritage.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00328 From 2014 to 2019, Records Relating to the “Indigenous Protocol Package”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes detailed information about Canadian Heritage ‘s organization structure, objective, projects and more.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00329 The Transition Binders given to the Ministers Following the Election of the New Government in October 2019. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, 2019), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.Canada.
The document includes a list of the ten businesses/companies/projects that received the highest amount of funding from the Canadian periodical fund from its announcement in 2009 to December 10, 2019.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00348 List of the Ten Businesses/Companies/Projects That Received the Highest Amount of Funding from the Canadian Periodical Fund from Its Announcement in 2009 to December 10, 2019. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes several email exchanges between different offices regarding Q-2520 and Q-2517.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00350 All Records Associated with Parliamentary Questions Q-2520 and Q-2517. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes several emails between members of PCH, ISED and Mr. Gold to discuss educational publishing and copying between select stakeholders from the education sector, in Toronto. In addition, there is an information note for Honourable Pablo Rodriguez that includes briefing notes for question period.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00351 From January 1, 2018 to December 18, 2019, All Records Related to the Facilitated Process on Educational Copying and Publishing Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Canadian Heritage hired a contractor to review the impact of two amendments in Canada’s Copyright Act that were recommended during the parliamentary review of the Copyright Act in 2019. The documents includes the details of their contract, research on reversionary interest and copyright.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00352 From November 1, 2018 to December 20, 2019, All Records Regarding Reversionary Interest and/or the Reversion of Rights to Creators/Artists or Their Heirs. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes a presentation by DPAR titled: Overview of Political Activities in the Public Service for employees. Presentation covers many topics such as: the importance of non-partisan public service, the Public Service Employment Act and the activities that fall under it. This is categorized as duty of loyalty training that is used by Canadian Heritage for their employees.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00353 Between September 5, 2019 and December 1, 2019, All Records Which Refer to Duty of Loyalty Training Developed or Used by Canadian Heritage. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a Visual Arts Marketplace Engagement Initiative Pre-Pol Engagement Template for key stakeholders. In addition, there is some survey data from Canadian Arts Coalition (ARCA). They’ve included Canadian Heritage’s social media strategy: understand the policy issues emerging in the current and future marketplace for visual arts.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00354 From January 1, 2018 to December 19, 2019, Records Related to Research or Studies Commissioned by Canadian Heritage on Copyright-Related Matters. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes a memorandum to Graham Flack including prep notes for his meeting on the Teleconference of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Deputy Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage. Agenda items include follow-ups from the 2016 ministerial meeting in Victoria, British Columbia: Cultural Engagement Working Group update regarding indigenous engagement at the FPTCH Table; and FPTCH Table working groups 2017-18 workplans and funding requests. The document also includes a list of participants and meeting notes.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2017-00721 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2017-00212: “Teleconference of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Deputy Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document from Canadian Heritage produced by the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer include details from financial analyst to update Minister Joly. Included are spreadsheets that list projects/ programs to be undertaken/delivered by your department from funding obtained via Budget 2016 New Infrastructure Plan.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2017-00764 Briefing Note to the Minister CH2017-02444: “Update Spreadsheet for Minister Joly on IR0317 Canadian Heritage Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes the total multiculturalism program budget and financial resources for 2011/12 to 205/16. In addition, a memorandum to Graham Flack regarding the 2015-16 Annual Report on the Operation of The Canadian Multiculturalism Act.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2017-00791 From January 1, 2015 to March 22, 2018, Records Relating to Racism, Discrimination, Systemic Racism, Special Accommodation, Marginalized Groups and Communities, on Visible Minorities, Impact Criteria for Assessing Government Policies as Non-Discriminatory, the 2017 and 2018 Budgets for Consultations on Racism, the Ban on Internet Hate Speech under Human Rights Legislation and Refusal of Federal Space to Those Promoting Racial or Other Types of Discrimination. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes information for Honourable Melanie Joy. Document also includes an annual report on the Canadian First World War Internment Recognition Fund (2016).	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2017-00791 From January 1, 2015 to March 22, 2018, Records Relating to Racism, Discrimination, Systemic Racism, Special Accommodation, Marginalized Groups and Communities, on Visible Minorities, Impact Criteria for Assessing Government Policies as Non-Discriminatory, the 2017 and 2018 Budgets for Consultations on Racism, the Ban on Internet Hate Speech under Human Rights Legislation and Refusal of Federal Space to Those Promoting Racial or Other Types of Discrimination. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a memorandum to the Honourable Melanie Joly regarding an impending decision: private member’s motion M-103: Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2017-00791 From January 1, 2015 to March 22, 2018, Records Relating to Racism, Discrimination, Systemic Racism, Special Accommodation, Marginalized Groups and Communities, on Visible Minorities, Impact Criteria for Assessing Government Policies as Non-Discriminatory, the 2017 and 2018 Budgets for Consultations on Racism, the Ban on Internet Hate Speech under Human Rights Legislation and Refusal of Federal Space to Those Promoting Racial or Other Types of Discrimination. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes a fact sheet titled Jewish Community Issues and Recent Antisemitic Incidents from late 2016 and early 2017.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2017-00791 From January 1, 2015 to March 22, 2018, Records Relating to Racism, Discrimination, Systemic Racism, Special Accommodation, Marginalized Groups and Communities, on Visible Minorities, Impact Criteria for Assessing Government Policies as Non-Discriminatory, the 2017 and 2018 Budgets for Consultations on Racism, the Ban on Internet Hate Speech under Human Rights Legislation and Refusal of Federal Space to Those Promoting Racial or Other Types of Discrimination. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a policy paper on fake news. In addition, a presentation on countering radicalization to violence by the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (Canada Centre) and a fact sheet on the European Commission response to illegal online content. Several other documents/presentations are also included.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2018-00182 From February 1, 2018 to May 30, 2018, All Records Generated by the Deputy Ministers Tiger Team on Fake News. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes a proposal from the Canadian Digital Democracy initiative by the Public Policy Forum. In addition, emails containing funding details, plans for the digital democracy lecture series and their Canada History Fund application.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2018-00611 From January 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018, All Records That Cite or Reference to the Digital Democracy Project of the Public Policy Forum. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes several email exchanges between PCH employees who discuss the Public Policy Forum proposal.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2018-00611 From January 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018, All Records That Cite or Reference to the Digital Democracy Project of the Public Policy Forum. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a memorandum to Graham Flack regarding the summaries of decisions of the federal-provincial-territorial ministers and deputy ministers of culture and heritage (April 24, 2018, and June 19 and 20, 2018). The memo also required a decision for the April 24, 2018, teleconference of Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) deputy ministers responsible for Culture and Heritage (CH), and the June 19 and 20, 2018 meetings of FPTCH ministers and deputy ministers (DMs) the meeting between FPTCH ministers and leaders of National Indigenous Organizations (NIOs). In addition, the documents include the summary of decisions from the teleconferences on April 24 and June 20, 2018.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2018-00678 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2018-01467: “Summary of Decisions of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Culture and Heritage (April 24, 2018 and the June 19 and 20, 2018) Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes information notes for the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez regarding the future of the Copyright Act titled “Copyright Look Ahead 2019”. A presentation deck titled “Reality and state of Canada’s Writing & Publishing Industry following the Education Sector’s Copying Policies: Corrections of Errors in CMEC Submission to INDU Committee”.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2018-00815 Since January 1, 2018, All Records Summarizing or Analyzing the Reviews of the Copyright Act Being Done by Parliamentary Committees. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes the meeting package for the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Teleconference of Deputy Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage. The package includes the list of participants, agenda, presentation details etc.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00189 Briefing Materials in Preparation for a Teleconference for the Federal-Provincial and Territorial Deputy Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage of May 14, 2019. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes the meeting package for the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting Cultural and Heritage Deputy Ministers on June 18, 2019, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The document includes details regarding the list of participants, Indigenous Engagement Working Group, the agenda and more.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00234 Briefing Materials in Preparation for a Teleconference for the Federal-Provincial and Territorial Deputy Ministers Responsible for Culture and Heritage of June 18 and 19, 2019. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes details regarding application guidelines for the “Community Support for Black Canadian Youth”. A fact sheet regarding Applicants to the Inter-Action: Multiculturalism Program from Yellowknife, Whitehorse, and Edmonton. A memorandum to the Honourable Melanie Joly regarding the application guidelines for the community capacity building component and decision on single cultural community events. Fact sheet regarding their announcement on the community support for Black Canadian Youth. Emails from the Black community such as Canadian Black Culture Network regarding the funding parameters, meetings and limits.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00247 From January 1, 2018 to September 16, 2019, All Records Presented to the Deputy Minister and the Minister of Canadian Heritage on the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiative Program. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a memorandum for the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez regarding the Keynote Speech at the International Meeting on Diversity of Content in the Digital Age. Email exchanges between members of the PCH regarding the TV5 Monde project (correspondence is in French)	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00253 From October 18, 2018 to October 30, 2019, All Documents and Correspondence Exchanged between an Organization or Department of Quebec and Canadian Heritage Regarding the International Portal of Digital Content of the Francophonie. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a memorandum for the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez (Minister of Canadian Heritage) regarding the keynote speech at the International Meeting on Diversity of Content in the Digital Age. The document was written by Hélène Laurendeau (Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage). Map of recommended participants according to professional category, area of expertise, gender/social identity and nationality/language. Brief profile of the final advisory committee.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00253 From October 18, 2018 to October 30, 2019, All Documents and Correspondence Exchanged between an Organization or Department of Quebec and Canadian Heritage Regarding the International Portal of Digital Content of the Francophonie. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes several emails regarding Canadian Heritage’s media activities such as the logic on digital industries economic strategy etc. In addition, several emails are exchanged between members of PCH regarding an investigative journalist who inquired about the government’s position on the global ICT market after obtaining a presentation made by ISED and Canadian Heritage that was accessed through ATI request (A-2017-00589).	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00264 From June 1, 2018 to October 11, 2019, All Records Mentioning “The Logic” or Any Article from the Site “Www.Thelogic.Co”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a presentation on the Local Journalism Initiative presented for the Administrator Organizations in February 2019. The focus is on civic journalism, underserved communities and the list of selected organizations. Business Plans from the various organizations are also included.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00268 From January 1, 2019 to October 28, 2019, All the Local Journalism Initiative Program Records Pertaining to the Use of a Creative Commons License for Funded Content, the Selection of Third Party Organizations to Administer Grants, the Agreements with Third Party Organizations to Administer the Grants and the Reporting by Third Party Organizations Arising from Their Administration of Grants. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a memorandum for Hélène Laurendeau regarding the Future of Media and Broadcasting: Transition Material for DMC discussion. The memorandum is delivered due to an impending decision requiring Hélène’s review in preparation for her presentation at the Deputy Ministers/Clerk (DMC) meeting on July 25, 2019. Document also includes a proposed agenda and background information.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00270 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-01589: “The Future of Media and Broadcasting: Transition Material for DMC Discussion Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a memorandum to the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez regarding the Confirmation of Canada Arts Presentation Fund Approach for Implementation of Budget 2019 Supplemental Funds and Approval of Announcement Letters. The document seeks his approval to inform current CAPF recipients of the distribution of Budget 2019 funds. There seems to be two options for the budget and Honourable Pablo Rodriguez concurs with the revised proposal (Option 1).	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00282 Briefing Note to the Minister CH2019-01442: “Confirmation of Canada Arts Presentation Fund Approach for Implementation of Budget 2019 Supplemental Funds and Approval of Announcement Letters”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a memorandum for Hélène Laurendeau regarding Canadian Heritage – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Initiative for Digital Citizen Research. SSHRC has established the joint initiative with PCH: it will fund research projects that are relevant to the Government’s priorities regarding online disinformation, to ensure it becomes a key area of research in Canada.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00284 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-01304: “The Canadian Heritage-Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Initiative for Digital Citizen Research”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes an information note for the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez regarding the Digital Citizen Initiative Contribution Funding. The Digital Citizen Contribution is a new program that will be set up by Canadian Heritage and the Digital Democracy Project will receive $2.5 million in funding over four years. The program used to be headed by the Public Policy Forum however, they will need to formally submit a new proposal.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00285 Briefing Note to the Minister CH2019-01467: “Digital Citizen Initiative Contribution Funding”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes an information note for Hélène Laurendeau: A response to the 2018-19 Gender-Based Analysis Plus Implementation Survey. The document includes an introduction to the survey, questions, changes to the survey and survey results.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00294 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-01533: “Response to the 2018-19 Gender-Based Analysis Implementation Survey Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document is from Canadian Heritage and it includes a memorandum for Hélène Laurendeau and Isabelle Mondou regarding the Briefing Books for Transition.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00298 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-01568: “Briefing Books for Transition”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document is from the Canadian Heritage regarding a memorandum to Hélène Laurendeau: Election-Related Requests for Information. This document provides an approach for Canadian Heritage on how to respond to election-related requests for information from the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO). They’ve included a table to outline the process for responding to PBO requests for information.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2019-00301 Briefing Note to the Deputy Minister CH2019-01612: “Election-Related Requests for Information”. Re-Requested under Access to Information Request (Canadian Heritage, n.d.), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

October 24, 2023August 13, 2024

A trip to the moon: AWS Public Sector Symposium Ottawa

Tamara Shepherd, Associate Professor, University of Calgary

Tamara Shepherd is conducting a case study on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and cloud computing lobbying activity in Canada with the TheTechLobby project.

[Figure 1. Image of symposium website. Screengrab, September 22, 2023]

I went to the AWS Public Sector Symposium in Ottawa to get a sense of how AWS is pitching its services to government. Given that AWS is also actively lobbying on a host of cloud policy issues including privacy and access to information (as detailed here [link to Charnjot’s company profile: https://thetechlobby.ca/company-profile-amazon/]), it’s significant that they are being contracted by various government departments and agencies to provide cloud technology services. The symposium was indeed oriented around the government’s procurement of AWS: “Explore how the cloud can help you enhance security, analyze data at scale, advance sustainability, and achieve your mission—faster and at lower cost.” As such, the attendees were mainly AWS representatives (most of them with the vague job title “solutions architect”) and government personnel from various departments and agencies.

[Figure 2. AWS sign in window looking over Ottawa. All photos by the author.]

Held at the Shaw Convention Centre, the symposium featured a keynote, meals, and networking, along with several sessions organized into tracks (data, technology, and security), according to different levels of expertise (“introductor,” intermediate, advanced, and expert). A basic mobile app enabled users to build their day’s schedule and allowed AWS to gauge interest in each session – some sessions had the added requirement for attendees to scan their RFID tagged badges at the door. When I asked why, the person scanning my badge said, “so we know who’s in this session.” I guess that is on brand for Amazon.

The first data session I attended was presented by an AWS representative who promoted “data driven organizations” by emphasizing that they were more agile, efficient, and valuable at generating customer experience. As the presenter argued, organizations need to evolve from a “data platform mindset” to a “data product mindset,” in order to deliver “governance value and business value together in lockstep.” A representative from the Canada Revenue Agency then joined the podium to present the CRA as a data-driven government organization. He discussed how the culture, people, and infrastructure at the CRA are transforming to be more data-driven so the agency can become more innovative and efficient. This remark garnered more than a few chuckles from the audience.

The session slides throughout the day contained tech/business jargon like “continuous innovation,” “scalable iterative solution,” and “innovate your flywheel” (invoking the so-called “Bezos flywheel” positive reinforcement loop). These sorts of phrases often appeared on growth curves with unlabeled axes – the growth is so fast it can’t even be measured!

[Figures 3 and 4. Images of presentation slides with growth curves]

The keynote session was in a large conference room with a few thousand attendees, who walked in to find their seats amid thumping techno beats and a laser light show. The central keynote speaker was astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield, who used his journey to space as an allegory for the ways AWS enables a change in reality by fundamentally shifting the human perspective – he shared some very loud footage of a Blue Origin rocket launch to bluntly reinforce this point, while also noting that the moon has water and sunlight and could provide another place for humans to live (read: colonize) as what he called “an untapped continent of wealth.” This was a very Bezos moment.

[Figure 5. Image of keynote presentation by Chris Hadfield]

After launch, there was lunch. The banquet room also housed the exhibition booths, about half of which featured branches of AWS and the other half comprising assorted partner tech companies providing things like security services and AI software compatible with AWS’s technology. Taking up more space than these booths though were various games, in line with the “no collar” ethos of tech companies explored eloquently 20 years ago by Andrew Ross [link to book: https://tupress.temple.edu/books/no-collar], which apparently remains relatively the same. There were stations to compete in hockey (of course), soccer, basketball, and darts along with carnival games like “hook a duck,” a driving simulator, and a Lego town.

[Figure 6. Hook a Duck game at the expo hall]

As might be apparent, this version of “fun” was targeted toward the mostly male attendees. From my own eyeball estimate, I would guess that around 80% of the delegates were men, wearing either government or tech versions of business casual. Most of them spoke English, although there was French being spoken as well among government workers. In the sessions, almost no one was taking notes aside from myself, but quite a few attendees took photos of the slides on their smartphones. They did not, however, take many photos at the desolate photo-op tableaux featured all around the convention centre.

[Figure 7. Photo station beside escalators.]

Most of the people working at the event to distribute badges, field questions, and usher delegates around the space were temporary contractors. I spoke to one of them who wasn’t even sure what AWS was. I also overheard a conversation between government workers who saw new technologies like AWS’s suite of software as “shiny new things” that managers neither understood nor had the capacity to implement, instead choosing to “dump and run” after introducing new platforms to their departments. This group was quite cynical about the government having the capacity to effectively implement AWS services without a complete cultural and organizational transformation within their departments.

Nonetheless, at nearly every session, AWS was hailed as “game changing” for government operations. Particularly at an over-capacity session I attended in the afternoon, generative AI was central to the paradigm shift promoted by AWS. The AWS representative conducted demos of AI-based tools SageMaker, Bedrock, and CodeWhisperer, the names of which almost sound like parodies of tech-speak. At one point, the speaker showed how Stability AI – a platform with an “open-source ethos” that paradoxically is partnered with AWS – could generate images from prompts like “a person waving the Canadian flag at a university” and “government citizen assistant.”

[Figure 8. Stability AI’s result for “government citizen assistant”]

As the speaker said after revealing this visual, “we’re in the first three steps of a 10k run,” which I suppose was meant to excuse the cheesiness of the image. The accelerationism and tech jargon on full display at the symposium offered an insight into how AWS is positioning itself to government with respect to procurement, a key context for their wider lobbying activity on policy issues favourable to AWS’s proprietary and sweeping version of the cloud. Chris Hadfield’s keynote address, with its explicit injunction to colonize the moon, aptly enveloped all this in the frontierism common to tech platforms predicated on relentless expansion.

October 20, 2023November 23, 2023

ATI Requests Received in July

Tech Lobby News

[ATI NEWS] Alberta chooses secrecy … again; The Alberta government has blocked the release of e-mail correspondence … (The Globe and Mail)

[ONLINE NEWS ACT ] Ottawa should accommodate Google’s C-18 concerns, urges group representing Canada’s major publishers (The Globe and Mail)

[ONLINE NEWS ACT] News media lobby group says it agrees with Google’s concerns about Online News Act (The Canadian Press)

Received in July 2023

Amazon Web Services Canada

Document Link	Reference
Document includes an email exchange between members of AWS and Rhonda Fernandes the Director General from Youth Skills Innovation Directorate regarding the digital skills development training that they’ve received. The email also included an introduction between Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Benoit Tessier and Olivier Quirion from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). In exchange it seems that AWS is interested in learning more about the new Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) that was announced in the 2021 Budget. However, Olivier and Benoit have said that they are limiting their interactions with stakeholders as they design the program.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00953 Submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #510568 Involving Benoit Tessier, Director General, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on June 16, 2021” (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
This document includes an email exchange between several members at the Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) office and AWS. They’ve discussed the AWS summit, implementing cloud services and offered a 1-on-1 with Phillippa Manley (Executive Director, Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) to provide some details on PSPC and the Application Modernization project.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00373 Submitted to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #542911 Involving Mollie Royds, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on September 27, 2022. ’ (Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
This document includes an email exchange between several members at the Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) office and AWS. They’ve discussed the AWS summit, implementing cloud services and offered a 1-on-1 with Phillippa Manley (Executive Director, Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) to provide some details on PSPC and the Application Modernization project.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00373 Submitted to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #542915 Involving Zepporah Toh, Senior Director, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on September 08, 2022. ’ (Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
This document includes an email exchange between several members at the Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) office and AWS. They’ve discussed the AWS summit, implementing cloud services and offered a 1-on-1 with Phillippa Manley (Executive Director, Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) to provide some details on PSPC and the Application Modernization project.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00373 Submitted to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #538028 Involving Colin Lalonde , Director of Policy, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on June 16, 2022. ’ (Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes an email exchange between Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and Amazon Web Services about government services and cloud computing.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01685 Submitted to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #487209 Involving Paul Wagner, Acting CTO, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on October 27, 2020.” (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes an email exchange between Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and Amazon Web Services about government services and cloud computing.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01676 Submitted to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #493130 Involving Paul Wagner, Chief Technology Officer, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on December 04, 2020.” (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
This document includes an email exchange between several members at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariate and Amazon Web Services to schedule a meeting between Catherine Luelo and Matt Garman (AWS).	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01654 Submitted to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #514690 Involving Catherine Luelo, Chief Information Officer of Canada, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on September 21, 2021.” (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
This document includes an email exchange regarding the visit by new Treasury Board Minister Mona Frontier to IBM Gatineau Client Innovation Centre.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01650 Submitted to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #517777 Involving Catherine Luelo , Chief Information Officer, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and IBM Canada Ltd. on November 25, 2021” (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

IBM Canada Ltd.

Document Link	Reference
The document includes meeting memo with Claude Guay and Xerxes Cooper. The objective of the meeting was for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) to meet the new President and executive leadership of IBM Canada. The desired outcome: to understand IBM Canada’s priorities to support pandemic recovery, address future skills gaps and grow quantum computing operations in Canada.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01006 Submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #490843 Involving Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and IBM Canada Ltd. on November 03, 2020.” ’ (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes an email exchange about an executive exchange program between the Treasury Board of Canada and IBM Canada Ltd.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01690 Submitted to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #484000 Involving Paul Wagner, Chief Information Officer, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and IBM Canada Ltd. on September 24, 2020.” (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
This document includes email exchange and meeting calendar for the meeting with Mr. Claude Guay and Catherine Luelo Deputy Minister & Chief Information Officer of Canada. This meeting took place between the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and IBM Canada Ltd.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01649 Submitted to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #525987 Involving Catherine Luelo, Deputy Minister & Chief Information Officer of Canada, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and IBM Canada Ltd. on February 04, 2022” (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
This document includes an email correspondence between ISED employees. The subject of discussion: preparation for a 2-day trip to Bromont to receive a site presentation from IBM regarding semiconductor systems. IBM hosted both the Canada and US team for this presentation. The documents also include an information packet on Canada’s Semiconductor Industry, group photos, agenda, information packet and bios from the session.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00925 Submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #541689 Involving Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and IBM Canada Ltd. on August 08, 2022 ’ (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Microsoft Canada Inc.

Document Link	Reference
This document includes an email exchange between several members at the Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) office and AWS. They’ve discussed the AWS summit, implementing cloud services and offered a 1-on-1 with Phillippa Manley (Executive Director, Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) to provide some details on Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the Application Modernization project. In addition, the documents include a presentation by Microsoft Canada on climate innovation.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00373 Submitted to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #544114 Involving Cory Pike, Chief of Staff, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Microsoft Canada Inc. on September 29, 2022. ’ (Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
This document includes an email exchange between several members at the Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) office and AWS. They’ve discussed the AWS summit, implementing cloud services and offered a 1-on-1 with Phillippa Manley (Executive Director, Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) to provide some details on Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the Application Modernization project. In addition, the documents include a presentation by Microsoft Canada on climate innovation.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00373 Submitted to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #528746 Involving Lorenzo Ieraci, A/Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of Procurement, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Microsoft Canada Inc. on March 11, 2022. ’ (Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
This document includes an email exchange between several members at the Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) office and AWS. They’ve discussed the AWS summit, implementing cloud services and offered a 1-on-1 with Phillippa Manley (Executive Director, Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) to provide some details on Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the Application Modernization project. In addition, the documents include a presentation by Microsoft Canada on climate innovation.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00373 Submitted to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #479327 Involving Duncan Retson, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Microsoft Canada Inc. on July 08, 2020.” ’ (Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
This document includes an email exchange about a recent meeting between Marlene, Jason and Alfred. The exchange calls for an additional meeting to discuss: a request from SSSC for an update on Microsoft’s Accessibility Evolution Model and to explore the idea of a collaboration with Microsoft to make accessibility functionality training modules available to public service wide via the Canada School of Public Service’s learning platform.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01644 Submitted to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #535277 Involving Alfred MacLeod, Assistant Deputy Minister, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and Microsoft Canada Inc. on May 11, 2022.” (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Netflix Inc.

Document Link

Reference

The document includes Netflix Canada presentation to the ISED and the Department of Canadian Heritage. Presentation emphasizes Netflix’s production activity and their impact on the economy in Canada.

Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00971 Submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #518572 Involving André Arbour, A/Director General, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Netflix Inc. on December 17, 2021” (Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada (ISED), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

September 13, 2023October 18, 2023

ATI Requests Received in June

Received in June 2023

Microsoft Canada Inc.

Document Link

Reference

Document outlines Microsoft’s Hyperscale Cloud Services in preparation for a meeting with Lisa Carroll and Scott Jones (Shared Services Canada).

Government of Canada, Access to Information Requests A-2022-00405 Submitted to Shared Services Canada (SSC) for Records Related to “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #544123 Involving Scott Jones, Executive Vice President, Shared Services Canada (SSC) and Microsoft Canada Inc. on September 29, 2022.” (Shared Services Canada, 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Amazon Web Services

Document Link	Reference
Document includes an agenda for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) from Amazon Web Services. Also, speaking notes for the Ottawa Public Sector Summit to launch meeting with Amazon and CRA.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-157714 Submitted to Canada Revenue Agency for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #508039 Involving Annette Butikofer, Assistant Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on May 18, 2021.” (Canada Revenue Agency, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes an agenda for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) from Amazon Web Services. Also, speaking notes for the Ottawa Public Sector Summit to launch meeting with Amazon and CRA.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-157714 Submitted to Canada Revenue Agency for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #487217 Involving Annette Butikofer, Assistant Commissioner, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on October 23, 2020.” (Canada Revenue Agency, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes an agenda for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) from Amazon Web Services. Also, speaking notes for the Ottawa Public Sector Summit to launch meeting with Amazon and CRA.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-157714 Submitted to Canada Revenue Agency for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #534413 Involving Santo Scarfo, Assistant Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on May 31, 2022.” (Canada Revenue Agency, 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes an agenda for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) from Amazon Web Services. Also, speaking notes for the Ottawa Public Sector Summit to launch meeting with Amazon and CRA.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-157714 Submitted to Canada Revenue Agency for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #538026 Involving Santo Scarfo, Assistant Commissioner and Chief Information Officer, Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on June 24, 2022.” (Canada Revenue Agency, 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services

Document Link	Reference
Documents include correspondence between Transport Canada and Amazon Canada Fulfilment Services regarding Amazon’s proposal for a facility at Hamilton Airport. In addition, there was a risk assessment filed with Transport Canada.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2023-00074 Submitted to Transport Canada (TC) for Records Related to a ‘All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #486613 Involving Malcolm MacEachern, Special Assistant, Transport Canada (TC) and Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC on October 27, 2020. With Regards to All Records, We Are Looking for (All Notes, Documents, Drafts, Electronic Documents, Emails, Memos, Preparatory Meeting Notes, Reports and Presentations [Exclude Cabinet Confidences]), Relating to Registered Lobbying Communications.”’ (Transport Canada (TC), 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes a Microsoft teams calendar meeting scheduled for 10/25/2021 between Amazon and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission (CRTC). The participants include: Julie Zoller, Global Director, Kuiper Regulatory; Gonzalo de Dios, Head of Global Licensing, Kuiper; Chris Hofer, Senior Manager, Kuiper Regulatory; James Maunder, Director, Canada Public Policy. Lastly, the organizer of the meeting is Ian Scott from the CRTC.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2023-00012 Submitted to Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission for Records Related to a ’All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #515261 Involving Scott Shortliffe, Executive Director, Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC on October 25, 2021. All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #515261 Involving Scott Hutton, Chief of Consumer, Research and Communications, Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC on October 25, 2021. All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #515261 Involving Ian Scott, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC on October 25, 2021. ’ (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, 2023), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document released is in connection to com log 515261 with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and Amazon Canada.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2023-00012 Submitted to Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #543388 Involving Scott Shortliffe, Executive Director, Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC on September 28, 2022.” (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document released is in connection to com log 515261 with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and Amazon Canada.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2023-00012 Submitted to Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission for Records Related to a ‘Ll Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #486609 Involving Scott Shortliffe, Executive Director, Broadcasting, Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC on October 06, 2020. All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #486609 Involving Scott Hutton, Chief of Consumer, Research and Communications, Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC on October 06, 2020. With Regards to All Records, We Are Looking for (All Notes, Documents, Drafts, Electronic Documents, Emails, Memos, Preparatory Meeting Notes, Reports and Presentations [Exclude Cabinet Confidences]), Relating to Registered Lobbying Communications. ”’ (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Oracle Canada

Document Link	Reference
The documents include a vendor profile on Oracle Canada that was shared in preparation for their meeting on February 19, 2021, with Shared Services Canada. The purpose of the meeting: “EVP introductory meeting and discussion on what Oracle is doing in the GC and SSC, and to identify how to better support SSC’s plans and priorities”	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00422 Submitted to Shared Services Canada (SSC) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #514537 Involving Sony Perron, Executive Vice President, Shared Services Canada (SSC) and Oracle Canada on September 08, 2021.” (Shared Services Canada (SSC), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The documents include a vendor profile on Oracle Canada that was shared in preparation for their meeting on February 19, 2021, with Shared Services Canada. The purpose of the meeting: “EVP introductory meeting and discussion on what Oracle is doing in the GC and SSC, and to identify how to better support SSC’s plans and priorities”	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00429 Submitted to Shared Services Canada (SSC) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #497763 Involving Sony Perron, Executive Vice President, Shared Services Canada (SSC) and Oracle Canada on February 19, 2021. ’ (Shared Services Canada (SSC), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

IBM Canada Ltd.

The document includes an email exchange between IBM and Transport Canada (TC). In the email, IBM offers their support to Transport Canada (TC) and suggests that they can help the government with some of the issues they’ve had at the airports across the country.

Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2023-00067 Submitted to Transport Canada (TC) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #540168 Involving Elisabeth d’Amours, Policy Advisor, Transport Canada (TC) and IBM Canada Ltd. on July 05, 2022. With Regards to All Records, We Are Looking for (All Notes, Documents, Drafts, Electronic Documents, Emails, Memos, Preparatory Meeting Notes, Reports and Presentations [Exclude Cabinet Confidences]), Relating to Registered Lobbying Communications.” (Transport Canada (TC), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Brief document that includes an email exchange and a calendar invite for a meeting with Kim Watson the new VP of IBM and Dan Cooper from the Treasury Board of Canada.

Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01695 Submitted to Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #480176 Involving Paul Wagner, Interim Chief Technology Officer, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and IBM Canada Ltd. on July 06, 2020.” (Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

August 25, 2023

Company Profile: TikTok

By Emmanuel Appiah

TikTok Lobbying in the News

TikTok is a video-based social media application where users can create, watch and share short, personalized videos around the world. The digital platform quickly gained popularity amongst youth and children, however, it has faced ongoing political controversy and backlash in Canada and the US. TikTok is owned by Chinese parent company ByteDance who has been at the center of nationalistic and privacy concerns regarding its data collection of American and Canadian citizens. TikTok faces impending bans and increased regulation due to security concerns with its parent company. Some governments have banned TikTok, including the Canadian government who banned its government employees from storing the app on work devices.

One of TikTok’s most vocal advocacy efforts of late was its campaign challenging the now enacted Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11). TikTok sat squarely at the center of the controversy over the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)’s purview to regulate user-generated content on platforms like TikTok in the updated S.4.2 of the bill. On September 21, 2022, the Director of Government Affairs at TikTok Canada testified before the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications (TRCM) that the bill was well-intentioned, however it inadvertently harms digital-first creators. In its September 2022 witness testimony, TikTok stated it wants to protect digital-first creators from “collateral damage”. TikTok has concerns around how “Canadian content” would be defined and how regulation would disincentivize individual content creators.

Platform lobbying raises questions of separability between large platforms and individual content-creators who use them. In the past, companies such as Uber have enlisted the general public’s support to politically challenge ensuing regulations. The Bill C-11 saga is an example of how the line between self-advocacy and creator agency can be blurred by collaborations with and financial support from digital platforms like TikTok.

TikTok made concerted efforts to engage with and support digital-first content creators, particularly those representing the Indigenous community on its platform. Over the years, news articles covered how Indigenous creators use TikTok to spread cultural awareness. TikTok launched its Accelerator for Indigenous Creators with the National Screen Institute in 2021 which provides online training to Indigenous creators to help elevate their content. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and TikTok hosted a sharing circle at TikTok’s headquarters in February 2023 to share their experiences on the app. TikTok referenced its Indigenous accelerator program in its witness testimony as a show of the platform’s contribution to discovering and supporting Canadian content. De Eyre championed this as “democratizing discoverability”. In addition, Indigenous content creators spoke up with concerns regarding the bill, sharing similar concerns raised by TikTok on defining “Canadian content” and categorizing content creators as “professional”.

TikTok similarly promoted, encouraged, and educated content creators, including Indigenous content creators, about its criticisms of Bill C-11, enlisting support from content creators including a digital creators advocacy group, Digital First Canada. In February 2022, TikTok collaborated with Digital First Canada to present to invited digital content creators about the impact and intent of the pending Bill C-11. In a Betakit article, a source maintained, however, that Tiktok’s representations were misleading. Content creators on various online platforms, including TikTok, appeared before the TRCM to share their concerns about the Bill C-11 and how it could impact monetization and business growth for Canadian content on social media.

There was a brief controversy surrounding the organization, Digital First Canada (DFC), its funding from TikTok, and government’s concerns with its lobbying. Digital First Canada is an advocacy organization representing digital creators before government and to platforms. DFC lobbied Canadian Heritage twice in April 2022. The organization’s primary political advocacy work has been to challenge Bill C-11. In May 2022, and again on September 27^th, 2022, well-timed news broke about DFC receiving funds from Tiktok. This fact was a source of controversy resulting in an MP’s complaint to the Office of the Lobbying Commissioner in August 2022. Scott Benzie appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications (TRCM) on September 28, 2022. Notably, on that date, the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying found that DFC was not required to disclose “private funding, only government funding”. On October 4, 2022, Honorable Scott Tannas formally raised a question of privilege in the Senate regarding the lobbying complaint and alleged an attempt to intimidate Benzie in his September 28^th hearing. At least, one content creator previously testified to feeling dismissed and intimidated by ministry officials. Founder of Digital First Canada, Scott Benzie, also alleged that content creators felt intimidated by questions in hearings. These allegations were later brought up in a question of privilege before the Senate regarding intimidation by government officials. Without question, Digital First Canada and TikTok are closely aligned in their lobbying position and political stance regarding the bill. However, the concerns from their collaboration may demonstrate a need for the government to provide clear guidance for platforms lobbying the government who also provide funding to advocacy organizations, advertise their cause to users, and otherwise financial support users.

Who Lobbies for TikTok in Canada

TikTok lobbied through two Canadian companies: (1) TikTok Technology Canada Inc. and TikTok Canada. TikTok Technology Canada has 74 total communication reports and 3 monthly reports in the last 6 months. For this blog post, “TikTok” refers to both, or either, TikTok Technology Canada Inc and TikTok Canada.

Lark Technologies Ltd, an “enterprise messaging and productivity app”, is a subsidiary of ByteDance and a reported “direct interest beneficiary” of TikTok Canada’s lobbying communications since October 20th, 2021. TikTok Canada and TikTok Technology Canada use the lobbying services from Public Affairs Advisory (also known as PAA Advisory).

From August 10, 2020, to September 1, 2022, Daniel Habashi, General Manager of TikTok Technology Canada, was the “responsible officer” for the company’s lobbying communications. Since September 1, 2022, Joshua Bloom, new General Manager of TikTok Technology Canada took over as the responsible officer for the company’s lobbying communications.

Steven de Eyre, the Director of Government Affairs at TikTok Canada, has been the responsible officer for the company’s lobbying communications since at least November 10, 2022. De Eyre previously served as a Senior Policy Officer with Industry Canada and a Research analyst in Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

The table below reflects all TikTok Technology Canada’s registered lobbyists that have held federal public office.

Name	Position	Firm	Active/Inactive	Public Office
Steve de Eyre	Director, Government Relations	TikTok Technology Canada Inc.	Active	Senior Policy Officer (Industry), Global Affairs Canada, Embassy of Canada, Washington DC (November 2013 to September 2016); Research Analyst (CBSA)Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, Embassy of Canada, Washington DC (January 2011 to November 2013)

The table below reflects all TikTok Canada’s registered lobbyists that have held federal public office.

Name	Position	Firm	Active/Inactive	Public Office Held
Matthew Larventz	Consultant	PAA Advisory \| Conseils / PAA Conseils \| Advisory	Inactive	Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, Office of Randeep Sarai, M.P. (November 2015 to November 2017)Administrative Advisor of Operations, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Deputy Minister’s Office (January 2015 to November 2015)Student, Treasury Board Secretariat, International Affairs, Security and Justice Sector (January 2014 to January 2015)Student Regulatory Affairs Analyst, Environment Canada, Regulatory Affairs (January 2011 to June 2013)
Nate Little	Consultant	PAA Advisory \| Conseils / PAA Conseils \| Advisory	Active	Press Secretary, House of Commons, NDP Caucus Services (October 2021 to January 2022)Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, MP’s Office (Mumilaaq Qaqqaq) (March 2021 to September 2021)
Maryanne Sheehy	Consultant	PAA Advisory \| Conseils / PAA Conseils \| Advisory	Active	Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister, Stakeholder Relations and Outreach (June 2014 to November 2015)Special Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the Chief of Staff and Principal Secretary (January 2011 to June 2014)Intern, Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the Chief of Staff and Principal Secretary (May 2010 to August 2010) Intern, Canadian Heritage, Office of the Minister of State (Status of Women) (May 2009 to August 2009)
Louis-Alexandre Lanthier	Consultant	PAA Advisory \| Conseils / PAA Conseils \| Advisory	Active	Executive Assistant, House of Commons, Office of the Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, MP for Papineau (June 2006 to March 2014)Special Assistant (Québec and Atlantic), Social Development Canada, Minister’s Office (August 2004 to February 2006)Special Assistant (Québec), Heritage Canada, Minister’s Office (November 2003 to July 2004)Executive Assistant, House of Commons, The Hon. Hélène Scherrer, MP for Louis-Hébert (January 2001 to November 2003)Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, The Hon. Mauril Bélanger, MP for Ottawa Vanier (September 1999 to September 2000)Special Assistant (student), Human Resources and Social Development Canada, Minister’s Office (May 1997 to August 1999)Special Assistant (student), Heritage Canada, Minister’s Office (May 1996 to April 1997)Research Assistant (student)House of Commons, Liberal Research Bureau (June 1994 to November 1995)
Stephen Yardy	Consultant	PAA Advisory \| Conseils	Inactive	Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, Office of MP Lindsay Mathyssen (October 2019 to June 2022)Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, Office of MP Irene Mathyssen (June 2018 to October 2019)Legislative Assistant, House of Commons, Office of MP Erin Weir (May 2016 to June 2018)Parliamentary Assistant, House of Commons, Office of MP Dan Harris (August 2012 to February 2014)
James Anderson	Consultant	PAA Advisory \| Conseils / PAA Conseils \| Advisory	Active	Director of Policy, Foreign Affairs, Office of the Minister (June 2004 to January 2006)Director of Policy, Health Canada, Office of the Minister (December 2003 to June 2004)Sr Policy Advisor and Director of Communications, International Trade, Office of the Minister (October 1999 to December 2003)Senior Policy Advisor, Human Resources Development Canada, Office of the Minister (January 1999 to October 1999)Senior Policy Advisor, Human Resources Development Canada, Strategic Policy Branch (August 1995 to December 1998)Senior Policy Advisor, Fisheries and Oceans, Strategic Policy Branch (September 1993 to August 1995)
Julie Groleau	Consultant	PAA Public Affairs Advisors Inc. / CAP Conseillers Affaires Publiques Inc.	Inactive	Adjointe parlementaire Chambre des communes, Bureau du député Simon Marcil (November 2015 to November 2019)

What has TikTok lobbied about in Canada

From August 10, 2020, to the present, both TikTok Canada and TikTok Technology Canada reported nearly the same subject matter details for lobbying on policies or program. “TikTok” lobbied about Canadian online content creators regarding the Online Streaming Act, Bill C-11. However, TikTok Technology Canada reported subject matter details about lobbying to “federal officials on proposed legal framework to address illegal content online”.

For the purposes of this section, the below list of subject matters on which TikTok Technology Canada and TikTok Canada lobbied Canada are combined. The subject matter of Tiktok’s lobbying since August 10, 2020, was the following:

Aboriginal affairs
Consumer issues
Elections
Industry
Intellectual property
Justice and law enforcement
Privacy and access to information
National security/security
Science and technology
Small business
Telecommunications
Broadcasting

Starting from October 8^th, 2020, TikTok Technology Canada began reporting lobbying about health, and justice and law enforcement. Communications related to health could involve the platform’s effort to curb health misinformation, such as monkeypox, online.

Starting in October 2021, TikTok Technology Canada’s lobbying communications began including meetings with federal officials on legislative proposals “to address illegal content online”. These meetings could relate to the proposed Online Harms Bill. TikTok met with government officials in relation to the proposed Bill C-10 on online harms. TikTok supported the Online Harm Bill. Along with a formal consultation submission to the Department of Canadian Heritage (September 25, 2021), TikTok cited intentions to engage with Canada Heritage on the issue.

Note: The categories in the table below are from the Lobby Registry of Canada’s two categories under “Subject Matter Details”. The “Subject Matter Details” below are associated with a “Subject Matter”/topic based on background knowledge from news articles, public hearings, and other sources. They are not definitive.

Platform lobby topics – TikTok Technology Canada
Subject Matters (Topics)	Legislative Proposal, Bill or Resolution	Policies or Program	Dates
Aboriginal Affairs	Engage federal officials about policies and programs to support Canadian creators and the creation, discoverability, and export of Canadian cultural content online, including Indigenous and French-language content.		08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
Arts and Culture	Engage federal officials about policies and programs to support Canadian creators and the creation, discoverability, and export of Canadian cultural content online, including Indigenous and French-language content.		08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
Consumer Issues	Engage federal officials about policies and programs to support Canadian creators and the creation, discoverability, and export of Canadian cultural content online, including Indigenous and French-language content.		08/10/2020- 03/14/2023 Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
Industry	Engage federal officials about policies and programs to support Canadian creators and the creation, discoverability, and export of Canadian cultural content online, including Indigenous and French-language content.		08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
Intellectual Property		Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including data security and copyright.	08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
National Security/Security		Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including privacy, data security, and copyright. Engage federal officials on proposed legal framework to address illegal content online.	08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
Privacy and Access to Information		Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including privacy, data security, and copyright.	08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
Science and Technology		Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including privacy, data security, and copyright.	08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
Small Business	Engage federal officials about policies and programs to support Canadian creators and the creation, discoverability, and export of Canadian cultural content online, including Indigenous and French-language content.	Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including data security and copyright.	08/10/2020- 03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
Telecommunications		Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including data security and copyright.	08/10/2020-03/14/2023/present Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
Elections	Engage federal officials on proposed legal framework to address illegal content online.		Added in 08/10/2020 through a monthly communication report until 03/14/2023/present
Health	Engage federal officials on proposed legal framework to address illegal content online.		10/08/2020 – 05/11/2022 Daniel Habashi and Steve de Eyre
Broadcasting		Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including privacy, data security, and copyright.	Added in 02/01/2020 through a monthly communication report until 03/14/2023/present
Justice and Law Enforcement		Engage federal officials on policies, legislation and regulations relevant to digital media and user-generated online content, including privacy, data security, and copyright. Engage federal officials on proposed legal framework to address illegal content online.	Added in 10/08/2020 through a monthly communication report until 03/14/2023/present

What government institutions does TikTok lobby?

TikTok has lobbied 18 government institutions to date. A complete list of institutions is provided below using information from the Lobbying Registry.

Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC)
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)
Elections Canada
Finance Canada (FIN)
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Health Canada (HC)
House of Commons
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Justice Canada (JC)
National Defence (DND)
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Privy Council Office (PCO)
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Public Safety Canada (PS)
Senate of Canada

August 23, 2023October 18, 2023

ATI Requests Received in May

Amazon Web Services Canada

Document Link	Reference
The Treasury Board received training from Amazon Web Services to develop digital identity credentials.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01642 Submitted to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a ’All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #539490 Involving Shirley Ivan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on July 22, 2022. ’ (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The Government of Canada engaged in a digital transformation discussion with Amazon Web Services, as evidenced by an email exchange between Mr. Wagner and the Directing Manager of Transformation at AWS.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01652 Submitted to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a ’All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #516895 Involving Paul Wagner, Assistant Deputy Minister, Transformation, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on November 18, 2021. ’ (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
SSC and Amazon Web Services presented their reflections on the past 2 years of their partnership. The presentation covered their experiences with the GC Cloud initiative and discussed opportunities to improve their collaboration. The list of key participants and the agenda were available, but the presentation itself was not included.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00384 Submitted to Shared Services Canada (SSC) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #514689 Involving Sony Perron, Executive Vice President, Shared Services Canada (SSC) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on September 07, 2021” (Shared Services Canada (SSC), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The SSC and Amazon Web Services partnership presentation covered their reflections on the past 2 years. The focus of the partnership was the GC Cloud initiative, where they discussed their joint experiences and identified opportunities to improve their collaboration. Although the presentation itself was not included, a list of key participants and an agenda was provided.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00384 Submitted to Shared Services Canada (SSC) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #514689 Involving Sony Perron, Executive Vice President, Shared Services Canada (SSC) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on September 07, 2021” (Shared Services Canada (SSC), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) contacted the National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister to initiate a discussion about their assistance measures in Ukraine and the surrounding region. The collection of documents related to this contact includes a memorandum and speaking notes.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00558 Submitted to Privy Council Office (PCO) for Records Related to a ’All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #528512 Involving Martin Green, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Privy Council Office (PCO)and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on March 30, 2022. ’ (Privy Council Office (PCO), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Scheduled meeting between Sony Perron and Gabrielle Shead.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00374 Submitted to Shared Services Canada for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #534420 Involving Sony Perron, President, Shared Services Canada (SSC) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on May 31, 2022” (Shared Services Canada, 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) contacted the National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister in order to discuss their assistance measures in Ukraine and the surrounding region. The collection of documents accompanying the contact includes a memorandum and speaking notes.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00558 Submitted to Privy Council Office (PCO) for Records Related to a “All Records Relatingto Registered Lobbying Communication #528510 Involving Jody Thomas,National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister, Privy CouncilOffice (PCO) and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on March 30, 2022” (Privy Council Office (PCO), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) contacted the National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister to initiate a discussion regarding their assistance measures in Ukraine and the surrounding region. The collection of documents provided includes a memorandum and speaking notes.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00558 Submitted to Privy Council Office (PCO) for Records Related to a “Allrecords Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #512894 Involving Shawn Tupper, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Privy Council Office (PCO)and Amazon Web Services Canada, Inc. on July 07, 2021.” (Privy Council Office (PCO), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
Document includes some undisclosed information regarding Amazon’s finances, products and initiatives.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request ATI2024-002 Submitted to Business Development Bank of Canada for Records Related to a “All Records(All Notes, Documents, Drafts, Electronic Documents, Emails, Memos, Preparatory Meeting Notes, Reports and Presentations…Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication 535334 Involving Miguel Barrieras.” (Business Development Bank of Canada, 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Oracle Canada

Document Link

Reference

Oracle’s Vice President requested a meeting with Mr. Wagner to discuss Federal CIOs and engage in a conversation about Canada’s broader agenda of accelerating workload migration, cloud adoption, and other related topics, as indicated by an email exchange.

Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-01677 Submitted to Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) for Records Related to a ’All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #491552 Involving Paul Wagner, Interim Chief Technology Officer, Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and Oracle Canada on November 16, 2020. ’ (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), 2020), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

IBM Canada Ltd.

Document Link	Reference
IBM has requested a meeting with the National Research Council (NRC) to discuss quantum computing. The meeting aims to explore the potential launch of a National Quantum Strategy spanning seven years (2021-2027) with a budget of $360 million. The discussion will include IBM’s presentation on their discovery accelerator, which took place on Wednesday, March 10. Additionally, IBM inquired about the NRC’s interest in partnering to deploy their quantum computer platform.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-56 Submitted to National Research Council (NRC) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #517778 Involving Iain Stewart, President, National Research Council (NRC) and IBM Canada Ltd. on November 29, 2021. All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #502234 Involving Mitch Davies, President, National Research Council (NRC) and IBM Canada Ltd. on March 10, 2021. Please Send All Documents as a PDF File.” (National Research Council (NRC), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
There will be a meeting between ECCC (Environment and Climate Change Canada), IBM, and SSC (Shared Services Canada) to discuss their collaboration. The meeting will focus on system upgrades, government plans, and potential risks.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00376 Submitted to Shared Services Canada for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #517776 Involving Sony Perron, Executive Vice-President, Shared Services Canada (SSC) and IBM Canada Ltd. on November 09, 2021.’ (Shared Services Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The documents include an email correspondence between the Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) (Filipe Denis) and Louise Bosquet, Sheena van Veen and Louse Carter with IBM. The contents discuss setting up a meeting/call.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2023-00019 Submitted to Bank of Canada for Records Related to a ’“All Records (All Notes, Documents, Drafts, Electronic Documents, Emails, Memos, Preparatory Meeting Notes, Reports and Presentations (Exclude Cabinet Confidences), Relating to Registered Lobbying Communications 540176 (Involving Tiff Macklem, Filipe Dinis and Sylvain Chalut)’ (Bank of Canada, 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Google Cloud Canada Corporation

Document Link

Reference

Pat Dorsey has requested a meeting to discuss tourism analytics and how it can assist the PEI government. The meeting agenda will cover various topics such as climate resilience, healthcare, government community, smart transportation solutions, and tourism.

Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00020 Submitted to Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #520087 Involving Patrick Dorsey, VP, PEI and Tourism, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Google Cloud Canada Corporation on Dec 9/2021” (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Uber Canada Inc.

Document Link	Reference
The documents include email correspondence between Uber Canada, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, and the Privy Council Office (PCO). They discuss arranging a meeting to review the progress on the National agreement. The ongoing correspondence and presentation delve into the role of Uber as an employer in Canada.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00562 Submitted to Privy Council Office (PCO) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #535900 Involving Lisa Setlakwe, Assistant Secretary, Privy Council Office (PCO) and Uber Canada, Inc. on May 05, 2022” (Privy Council Office (PCO), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The documents include email correspondence between Uber Canada, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, and the Privy Council Office (PCO). They discuss arranging a meeting to review the progress on the National agreement. The ongoing correspondence and presentation delve into the role of Uber as an employer in Canada	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00562 Submitted to Privy Council Office (PCO) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #523296 Involving Jeff Waring, Director General, Privy Council Office (PCO) and Uber Canada, Inc. on January 25, 2022.” (Privy Council Office (PCO), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The documents include email correspondence between Uber Canada, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, and the Privy Council Office (PCO). They discuss arranging a meeting to review the progress on the National agreement. The ongoing correspondence and presentation delve into the role of Uber as an employer in Canada.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00562 Submitted to Privy Council Office (PCO) for Records Related to a ’ All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #535898 Involving Rodney Ghali, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Privy Council Office (PCO) and Uber Canada, Inc. on May 05, 2022.’ (Privy Council Office (PCO), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes an email exchange where Uber initiates a meeting with Public Safety Canada to discuss their Law Enforcement Operations Initiative. Uber is dedicated to safety, and they would like to share what they are doing with their Law Enforcement Response Team (LERT).	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00387 Submitted to Public Safety Canada (PSC) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #514261 Involving Myriam Potvin, Executive Director, Public Safety Canada (PS) and Uber Canada, Inc. on August 10, 2021.” (Public Safety Canada (PSC), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

Microsoft Canada Inc.

Document Link	Reference
The document includes an email correspondence, research on Brad Smith for the Minister and what topics they can expect to discuss in the meeting prepared for Minister Champagne meeting with Brad Smith, President and Chief Legal Officer, Microsoft Corporation.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00961 Submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #496320 Involving François-Philippe Champagne, Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Microsoft Canada Inc. on January 26, 2021” (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), 2021), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.
The document includes an email correspondence discussing Bill C-11 and plans. Notes following business consultations with the Canadian Chamber’s Digital Economy group and ISED. Speaking notes on the importance of telecom matters: policy direction, spectrum, telecom security and universal broadband fund.	Government of Canada, Access to Information Request A-2022-00959 Submitted to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) for Records Related to a “All Records Relating to Registered Lobbying Communication #535105 Involving Mark Schaan, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Microsoft Canada Inc. on May 31, 2022.” (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), 2022), http://open.canada.ca/en/access-to-information.

July 10, 2023October 18, 2023

Monthly Updates for Facebook

August 2023 Update: Facebook

By: Kyle Wyndham-West, PhD Student (McMaster University)

In the month of August Facebook recorded no communications with the Registry of Lobbyists. Facebook/Meta, along with Google,have been critical of new measures that would require them to pay news sources dunder the new Online News Act. Reportedly Meta would have an estimated payout of $62 million to Canadian news outlets as per CRTC guidelines.

July 2023 Update: Facebook

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

In July 2023, Facebook registered only one communication report with the Registry of Lobbyists. Facebook continued June meetings with Canadian Heritage (PCH) Deputy Minister Isabelle Mondou on the topic of “industry.” As noted in last month’s Facebook lobbying update, although Facebook states that the subject matter of these talks are industry, it is possible that the social media corporation’s recent discussions with government institutions have revolved around Bill C-18, the Online News Act. In early July, it was reported that the Canadian Government would no longer be advertising on Facebook and Instagram. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodrieguez noted that Meta had not been speaking with the Canadian Government about their decision to block news in Canada in response to Bill C-18. Minister Rodriguez notes that the Government’s withdrawal from advertising on Meta apps will cost Meta approximately $10 million in business. Quebecor and Cogeco have followed suit and pulled their advertisements form Meta platforms.

The new Heritage Minister, Pascale St-Onge, who took over for Pablo Rodrieguez on July 26, has noted that she will stand firm and refuses to give in to tech giants like Facebook. Pascale St-Onge notes that she is “deeply committed to ensuring that Canada has a free and independent press, because it’s fundamental to our democracy.”

Facebook’s July Communication Reports

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-07-11	Isabelle Mondou, Deputy Minister Canadian Heritage (PCH) Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister (Cultural Affairs) Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Industry	Garrick Tiplady

June 2023 Update: Facebook

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

In June 2023, Facebook lobbyists picked up where they left off in May, logging five more lobbying communications reports on the topic of “industry”. Although Facebook reports that their meetings were about “industry”, it is possible that their lobbying efforts have been more specifically geared towards Bill C-18 the Online News Act. As noted in the May lobbying update for Facebook, Facebook is preparing to test blocking their news functionality on Facebook and Instagram as the company has expressed its concerns about Bill C-18 which would have Meta negotiate deals with media outlets so that they may be compensated for news being shared on their platform.

On June 1st, Mickey Djuric of the Canadian Press noted that Facebook was gearing up for a news blocking test that would last for a month. Facebook has noted that the company is willing to block news permanently if Bill C-18 passes. Speaking on the plan for the news blocking test, Rachel Curran, head of public policy for Meta Canada, noted, “It won’t be a uniform experience, necessarily. Some news links won’t be shareable on Facebook, but it might not be that experience on Instagram. It will be a different experience on different surfaces”. Meta’s test will affect international media companies, but people outside Canada will not be affected by the test. Meta notes that the test aims to ensure that non media agencies do not get “caught in the dragnet” if they decide to permanently block news. On June 13, it was reported that Quebec publishers were the first to experience blocked content on Facebook. A Winipeg based digital news outlet called ChrisD.ca also had some of its content blocked from Facebook. Chris Dell of ChrisD.ca noted: “as a small local news outlet, the majority of our traffic comes from Facebook and Google. My hope is that an amicable agreement can be reached between Silicon Valley and Ottawa that doesn’t leave publishers caught in the middle.” Anticipating their content being blocked on Facebook, Quebec based news outlet Le Journal de Quebec launched a campaign that prompted readers to come directly to their organizations website rather than clicking through Facebook.

When Bill C-18 received royal assent on June 22, Meta spokesperson Scott Reid noted, “We have repeatedly shared that in order to comply with Bill C-18, which was passed today in Parliament, content from news outlets, including news publishers and broadcasters, will no longer be available to people accessing our platforms in Canada.”

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-06-21	Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy \| Minister’s Office, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Brian MacKay, Senior Policy Advisor \| Minister’s Office, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Jude Welch, Chief of Staff \| Minister’s Office, Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Industry	Garrick Tiplady
2023-06-01	Isabelle Mondou, Deputy Minister Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Industry	Garrick Tiplady
2023-06-01	Pamela Wallin, Senator Senate of Canada	Industry	Garrick Tiplady
2023-06-01	Julie Miville-Dechêne, Senator Senate of Canada Paula Simons, Senator Senate of Canada	Industry	Garrick Tiplady
2023-06-01	Donna Dasko, Senator Senate of Canada	Industry	Garrick Tiplady

May 2023 Update: Facebook

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

In May 2023, Facebook registered only two communication reports. Both meetings were on the topic of “industry”. Facebook is possibly interested in current developments related to Bill C-18 which would impact their business model. Bill C-18 would make platforms like “Google and Meta compensate news organizations for posting or linking to their work.” On May 8, 2023, The Canadian Press reported that Meta had already been preparing to stop linking to news in Canada. This decision to block news on Meta’s platforms is a business decision, notes Rachel Curran, head of public policy for Meta Canada. Speaking on behalf of Meta, Curran explained “we believe that news has a real social value. The problem is that it doesn’t have much of an economic value to Meta. That is the real concern with this legislation.” On May 29, Marie Woolf of the Globe and Mail reported that Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez will keep his door open to Facebook to continue to have discussion about Bill C-18. But the Heritage Minister made it clear that he will not accept threats to withdraw services by platforms like Facebook and Google. Minister Rodriguez noted, “We may disagree on something, but there is still a lot of stuff we can do together so my door is still open to see if we can discuss”. Certainly, Facebook will continue discussions about Bill C-18 with the Canadian Government. Facebook lobbied Senator Donna Dasko (Ontario) and Senator Paula Simons (Alberta), who are part of the Transport and Communications Standing Committee examining Bill C-18. Both Dasko and Simons have problematized Bill C-18 in the past year.

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-05-19	Donna Dasko, Senator Senate of Canada	Industry	Garrick Tiplady
2023-05-19	Paula Simons, Senator Senate of Canada	Industry	Garrick Tiplady

March 2023 Lobbying Update: Facebook

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

On March 14, 2023, Facebook lobbied Senator Paula Simmons on the topic of “Industry”. This was Facebook’s first communications report for 2023. Their last communications report was in late October of 2022. Facebook does not register as many communications as other major tech companies operating in Canada, like Google and Amazon. For instance, Google actively lobbies on 23 different listed subject matters. Microsoft lobbies on 28. In comparison, Facebook lobbies about eight: Elections, Industry, National Security/Security, Privacy and Access to Information, Research and Development, Science and Technology, Taxation and Finance, and Telecommunications. Although corporations must list details about the subject matter they lobby about, Facebook’s explanation reads “Engagement with government and parliamentarians on policies and programs impacting online digital platforms and broader policy issues. Facebook’s engagement is often at the request of government and parliamentarians.”

While it is difficult to surmise what Facebook is lobbying about based on their descriptions of subject matter details. A survey of news articles reveals Facebook’s current Canadian interests related to Bill C-18, the Online News Bill. As explained in previous blog post, Bill C-18 would make platforms like “Google and Meta compensate news organizations for posting or linking to their work.” Facebook is doubtlessly interested in developments surrounding Bill C-18 which would impact their business model. On March 11, the Globe and Mail reported that Meta would “block Canadians ability to view or share news content on Facebook and Instagram” if Bill C-18 became law. Meta spokesperson Lisa Laventure stated, “if the Online News Act passes in its current form, we will end the availability of news content on Facebook and Instagram for people in Canada.” Lavanture explained Meta’s position, “A legislative framework that compels us to pay for links that we do not post, and which are not the reason the vast majority of people use out platform, is neither sustainable not workable.”

Responding to Facebook’s decision to pull news from Canada, Heritage Minster Pablo Rodriguez described Facebook’s planned reaction to the passing of Bill C-18 as a threat designed to pressure the Canadian Government to amend the Bill so that tech platforms would pay less to news organizations. Minister Rodriguez noted: “it is disappointing to see that Facebook has resorted to threats instead of working with the Canadian government in good faith.” This track was also taken by Spokeswoman Laura Scaffidi of Heritage Canada, who noted that such scare tactics did not work in Australia and will not work in Canada either because “Canadians won’t be intimidated.” Heritage Canada maintains that “At the end of the day, all we’re asking the tech giants to do is compensate journalists when they use their work”.

On March 17 2023, the Globe and Mail reported that MPs were moving to summon Mark Zuckerberg before a Commons committee about the platforms decision to block news. The summons also called on Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs at Facebook, and Chris Saniga, Head of Meta Canada.

In May 2023, when the Heritage Committee changed the title of their meeting with Facebook executives to “Tech Giants’ Current and Ongoing Use of Intimidation and Subversion Tactics to Evade Regulation in Canada and Across the World”, neither Zuckerberg, Clegg, nor Saniga showed up for the Heritage meeting. Instead, Kevin Chan, Meta Global Policy Director, and Rachel Curran, Head of Public Policy, Canada stood before the Heritage Committee. During the meeting Chan noted that Clegg didn’t show up precisely because of the title of the meeting was changed to from a generic description to an exact language which “presented a different framing for the meeting.” Regarding the company’s position on Bill C-18, Chan read a statement prepared by Clegg which stated that Facebook does not “benefit unfairly from publishers sharing links to news content” on Facebook. Clegg claimed that the reverse was true, stating that it was publishers who benefit from the circulation of links on Facebook because the “Facebook Feed sent registered news publishers in Canada more than 1.9 billion clicks in the 13 months to April 2022.” Clegg noted that this would estimate to free marketing worth more than $230 million.

Although Facebook only registered one communication report presented in the chart below, this blog post points to the other mechanisms Facebook has used to pressure policy making in Canada. Overall, this episode reveals not only Facebook’s position on Bill C-18, it also highlights the diverse strategies beyond formal lobbying that major tech platforms like Facebook are willing to employ to exert pressure on policymakers in Canada.

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-03-14	Paula Simons, Senator Senate of Canada	Industry	Garrick Tiplady

July 10, 2023December 20, 2023

Monthly Updates for IBM

October 2023 Update: IBM

By: Kyle Wyndham-West, PhD Student (McMaster University)

IBM recorded four communications reports that ranged from the subject matters of privacy and access to information, science and technology, and economic development.

Notably, the company announced a partnership with consulting firm KPMG to provide systems application, and products in data processing for the energy and utilities sector. The firm has also increased its push into AI and Data development by acquiring Manta, an AI company, and working further on their quantum computing program.

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-10-25	Jaxson Khan, Senior Policy AdvisorOffice of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and IndustryHouse of Commons	Privacy and Access to Information, Science and Technology	Dave McCann
2023-10-25	Mark Schaan, Associate Assistant Deputy MinisterInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology, Privacy and Access to Information	Dave McCann
2023-10-25	Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian HeritageHouse of Commons	Science and Technology, Economic Development	Dave McCann
2023-10-30	Camille Benoit-Blouin, Regional Advisor, QuébecOffice of the Minister, Finance Canada (FIN)	Taxation and Finance	Dave McCann

September 2023 Update: IBM

By: Kyle Wyndham-West, PhD Student (McMaster University)

In the month of September IBM recorded one communication reports with the subject of taxation and finance and science and technology.

IBM has recently been in the news for augmenting their advanced computing and Artificial intelligence operations with a 2 million dollar commitment and expansion of the WatsonX and generative AI services they offer.

Specifically within Canada IBM has unveiled quantum computers in Quebec which will serve as a base for digital and quantum innovation within Canada. Also, they have been pointed with data protection issues and have vowed to bolster these systems in addition to the recently revealed advances in AI and advanced computing.

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-09-28	Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy Minister \| Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Taxation and FinanceScience and Technology	Dave McCann

August 2023 Update: IBM

By: Kyle Wyndham-West, PhD Student (McMaster University)

In August IBM engaged in two communications with the Registry of Lobbyists on the topics of “Science and Technology”. The same month, IBM publicly discussed the need for workplace adjustments in the wake of the current and coming wave of artificial intelligence applications.Specifically, these conversations circled how generative AI will interfere with traditional workers and day-to-day tasks. As well in August, IBM sold their weather network affiliates and services to a private equity firm..

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-08-16	William Harvey-Blouin, Regional Advisor, Québec \| Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann
2023-08-04	William Harvey-Blouin, Regional Advisor, Québec \| Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann

July 2023 Update: IBM

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

In July 2023, IBM registered only two lobbying communication reports with the Registry of Lobbyists. Both were on the topic “science and technology.” As noted in previous IBM monthly blog posts, IBM actively lobbies about Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act –“specifically those provisions that apply to data protection.” As noted last month, Bill C-27 also aims to introduce “new rules to strengthen Canadian’s trust in the development and deployment of AI systems.” This month, Dave McCann, President of IBM Canada spoke on IBM’s new AI and data platform tailored to corporate use. McCann, along with IBM Canada’s general manager, Frank Attaie, noted that AI for corporations must involve the “removal of any and all biases in a very auditable fashion down to the base code, and then raising the right risk, regulatory, and ethical standards.” It is possible that IBM is lobbying about Bill C-27 as the corporation continues to roll out it’s new Watsonx AI and data platform.

IBM’s July Communication Reports

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-07-31	Isabelle Grenier, Senior Advisor, Regional Affairs \| Office of the Québec Lieutenant, House of Commons	Science and Technology	Dave McCann
2023-07-31	Anson Duran, Senior Policy Director \| Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann

June 2023 Update: IBM

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

In June 2023, IBM logged only two communications reports with the Registry of Lobbyists. Both meetings were on the topic “science and technology”.

In late June IBM took over the software company Apptio for $4.6 billion. Deb Pimentel, Vice President of Data, AI and automation at IBM Canada notes that “Businesses are transitioning to an AI-first mentality. We have the opportunity to fundamentally reimagine how work gets done.” As Canada and other countries look to regulate how AI is implemented across industries, IBM ensures that the company follows “ethical practices and design principles that augment people, not replace them, so we’re looking to free them up to do much more interesting work.” In early May 2023, IBM released Watsonx, a new AI platform designed to make businesses more efficient. Anticipating the loss of jobs caused by such technologies that make human workers redundant, Dave McCann, President of IBM Canada, points to IBM SkillsBuild, which aims to prepare workers “for jobs in fields like cybersecurity, data analytics, software engineering and information technology before the era of AI fully ushers in.” McCann notes that IBM SkillsBuild will “provide an estimated 35,000 Canadians with skills that will allow them to participate in a rapidly evolving job economy, and better protect them from imminent layoffs.”

While Pimentel speaks of the AI-first mentality of industry which IBM seeks to support with its technologies, McCann, speaks of IBM’s “human-first approach.” This shift in the marketplace presents a big re-skilling opportunity, one that we are moving toward with a thoughtful, human-first approach.”

As IBM rolls out their Industry AI program WatsonX, it is possible that they are lobbying about Bill C-27 the Digital Charter Implementation Act (2022) which aims to introduce “new rules to strengthen Canadian’s trust in the development and deployment of AI systems.”

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-06-29	Anson Duran, Senior Policy Director \| Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann
2023-06-09	Anson Duran, Senior Policy Director \| Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann

May 2023 Update: IBM

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

In May 2023, IBM logged two communications reports both on the topic “science and technology”. On May 31, President of IBM Canada, Dave McCann wrote a guest essay in the Globe and Mail on Canada’s current technology skills gap which he argues will be “a significant challenge across many industries” if left unaddressed. McCann notes, “Canadian organizations must invest in building a workforce with the skills needed for a digital economy if the country is to remain competitive globally.” Although IBM did not lobby specifically about industry this month, it is possible that their lobbying this month was related to McCann’s expressed concerns. IBM has led initiatives to support tech skills education in Canada. In 2019, it launched a tuition-free tech program in conjunction with Six Nations Polytechnic in Brantford Ontario. IBM’s registry of lobbyist profile notes that they communicate with “government officials about Canada’s Digital Economy Strategy… providing recommendations to the Government of Canada on how to encourage global investment in jobs and innovation in Canada.”

March and April 2023 Lobbying Update: IBM

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

This brief blog post examines IBM’s lobbying activities through communication reports through the months of March and April 2023. Additionally, this post lists all government contracts IBM signed through the same period.

The previous Tech Lobby monthly update on IBM for January and February 2023, noted that IBM’s lobbying focus for that period was on the topic of “science and technology” and was likely related to the production of semiconductors in Canada. In March and April 2023, IBM continued to lobby on the topic of “science and technology”. In March 2023, IBM registered one communication report on the 29^th with a policy advisor at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). For April 2023, IBM registered three communication reports presented in the charts below. All communications reports indicate that IBM continues to lobby about science and technology. IBM’s registry of lobbyists profile reveals that the company is focussed on promoting innovation in Canada and increasing usage and “investment in innovative technologies such as Cloud computing and software analytics”.

As reported in a previous blog post on IBM’s recent lobbying activities, President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau announced an agreement on March 23, 2023 regarding the production of semiconductors. IBM also signed on this agreement to “develop semiconductor capacity and ease reliance on foreign makers”. On March 23, 2023, Trudeau stated: “With growing competition, including from an increasingly assertive China, there’s no doubt why it matters that we turn to each other now to build up a North American market on everything from semiconductors to solar panel batteries”. IBM Canada is key to the success of the new agreements. As the White House noted, “Both countries will advance a cross-border packaging corridor, beginning with Canada and IBM providing a significant investment to develop new and expanded packaging and testing capabilities at its Bromont [Quebec] facility.”

The following charts provide IBM’s lobbying communications reported in March and April 2023.

IBM Canada Corporation: March 2023 Lobbying Summary

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-03-29	Anson Duran, Senior Policy Advisor \| Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann

IBM Canada Corporation: April 2023 Lobbying Summary

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-04-12	Kimberly Luce, Regional Advisor (Québec) \| Office of the Minister of Sport, Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann
2023-04-18	Jacquie Manchevsky, Assistant Deputy Minister, Data Centres Services Shared Services Canada (SSC)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann
2023-04-19	Nutan Behki, Assistant Deputy Minister, Project Management and Delivery Shared Services Canada (SSC)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann

In March 2023, IBM signed 13 government contracts valued over $10,000. The total of all 13 contracts signed in the month of March totals approximately $603,326,378.00. The following chart presents IBM’s government contracts valued over $10,000 signed in March, 2023.

IBM Contracts Signed Valued Over $10,000

Date Signed	Contract Value	Government Department	Work Description
March 6, 2023	$1,359,399.04	Shared Services Canada	License/Maintenance fees for operating system and utility software related to servers, storage, peripherals and components
March 8, 2023	$10,398.06	Royal Canadian Mounted Police	License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
March 20, 2023	$250,128.11 (Joint contract with Donna Cona Inc.)	Employment and Social Development Canada	Information technology and telecommunications consultants
March 20, 2023	$126,380.52 (Joint contract with Donna Cona Inc.)	Employment and Social Development Canada	Information technology and telecommunications consultants
March 21, 2023	$189,570.78 (Joint contract with Donna Cona Inc.)	Employment and Social Development Canada	Information technology and telecommunications consultants
March 21, 2023	$126,380.52 (Joint contract with Donna Cona Inc.)	Employment and Social Development Canada	Information technology and telecommunications consultants
March 21, 2023	$210,634.20 (Joint contract with Donna Cona Inc.)	Employment and Social Development Canada	Information technology and telecommunications consultants
March 22, 2023	$286,126.79 (Joint contract with Donna Cona Inc.)	Employment and Social Development Canada	Information technology and telecommunications consultants
March 24, 2023	$168,875.28 (Joint contract with Donna Cona Inc.)	Employment and Social Development Canada	Information technology and telecommunications consultants
March 27, 2023	$23,020.79	Fisheries and Oceans Canada	License/Maintenance fees for client software
March 28, 2023	$60,376.82	National Film Board	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
March 29, 2023	$219,544.76 (Joint contract with Donna Cona Inc.)	Employment and Social Development Canada	Information technology and telecommunications consultants
March 30, 2023	$600,295,542.15	Shared Services Canada	License/Maintenance fees for operating system and utility software related to servers, storage, peripherals and components

January and February 2023 Lobbying Update: IBM

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

This brief blog post presents IBM’s lobbying communication reports through the months of January and February 2023. As noted in an earlier company profile blog post featuring IBM, the lobbying practices of IBM Canada have not received as much journalistic attention as other large tech companies like Uber, Netflix, and Google. This blog post uses news articles to and information from IBM’s Registry of Lobbyists profile. In January and February 2023, IBM logged a total of five communications reports with various government officials. Each communication report was about “science and technology.” IBM’s profile with the Registry of Lobbyists notes that the company communicates “with government officials about the Strategic Innovation Fund (“SIF”), more specifically funding for innovation.” The SIF “provides major investments in innovative projects that will help grow Canada’s economy for the well-being of all Canadians.” The fund is developed to support “research, development, and commercialization of new products and services” and to attract new investments to Canada that will create jobs, as well as “public-private partnerships to develop and demonstrate new technologies.” IBM’s January and February 2023 lobbying communications may have been about the recent passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, a Canada-US agreement “to facilitate investment to promote secure and resilient semiconductor supply chains, creating jobs in both countries.” Charles Manel reported that IBM and that Canadian government agreed to a “significant investment to develop new and expanded packaging and testing capabilities at its Bromont facility.” This development will allow Canada to contribute to the development of semiconductors and printed circuit boards in North America.

IBM January 2023 Communication Reports

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-01-20	Ian Foucher, Chief of Staff Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Anson Duran, Senior Policy Director Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann

IBM February 2023 Communication Reports

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-02-02	Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry House of Commons	Science and Technology	Dave McCann
2023-02-16 (Update)	Boyan Gerasimov, Director of Policy Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Mitch Davies, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister & Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Anson Duran, Senior Policy Advisor Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Françis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann
2023-02-22	Pascale St-Onge, Member of Parliament for Brome—Missisquoi House of Commons	Science and Technology	Dave McCann
2023-02-27	Mary Gregory, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Industry Sector Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann

November and December 2022 Lobbying Update: IBM

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Student (McMaster University)

IBM Canada Ltd.: November and December Lobbying Summaries

Dave McCann, President of IBM Canada, continued his October talks withMinisters of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). McCan met ISED once in November and again in December, 2022 to discuss ‘Science and Technology’. IBM’s lobbying information profile on the registry of lobbyist website notes that the company is broadly interested in “Communicating with government officials, in general, about regional economic development. The goal of these communications is to advocate for robust regional economic development strategies.” On December 9, 2022, IBM announced the creation of a client innovation centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick that will create 250 full time jobs in the area related to “application developers, technical testers, business analysts, customer experience workers, design consultants, and workers in digital transformation.” The Client Innovation Centre was backed by the provincial government. Opportunities New Brunswick is investing $4.8 million to help IBM create these jobs. Arlene Dunn, minister responsible for Opportunities in New Brunswick noted “Many of the world’s most successful companies have discovered our province because of our winning combination of people, diversity, agility, infrastructure and innovation. Through investments like this one, we are building upon New Brunswick’s reputation as an IT hub.”

November 2022 Lobbying Communications for IBM

Communications	Lobbied	Subject Matter	Responsible Officer
2022-11-22	Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann

December 2022 Lobbying Communications for IBM

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matter	Responsible Officer
2022-12-15	Anson Duran, Senior Policy Director Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann
2022-12-16	Cheryl Cardinal, Director of Policy and Indigenous Procurement Office of the Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)	Science and Technology, Government Procurement	Dave McCann

IBM Government Contracts Signed During November and December 2022

Although IBM did not register many lobbying communications from November to December 2022, IBM was busy signing government contracts during these months. From November to December 2021, IBM signed 28 government contracts, each valued over $10,000.The chart below displays all contracts valued over $10,000 signed in the months of November and December 2022. This list was complied from content available on the Search Government Contracts over $10,000 site.

Date of Contract	Value	Organization	Work Description
2022-11-01	$83,178.36	Statistics Canada	License/Maintenance fees for Application Software (including COTS) and Application Development and Delivery Software
2022-11-01	$242,693.03	Parks Canada	License/Maintenance fees for Application Software (including COTS) and Application Development and Delivery Software
2022-11-01	$37,266.37	Public Service Commission of Canada	License/Maitenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-11-01	$161,315.24	Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada	License/Maintenance fees for App.Software
2022-11-01	$78,239.85	Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada	License/Maintenance fees for App.Software
2022-11-01	$1,577,644.49	Indigenous Services Canada	License/Maintenance fees for client software
2022-11-01	$796,909.01	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada	License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-11-01	$301,211.56	Canadian Food Inspection Agency	License/Maintenance fees for operating system and utility software related to servers, storage, peripherals and components
2022-11-01	$357,824.56	Canadian Food Inspection Agency	License/Maintenance fees for operating system and utility software related to servers, storage, peripherals and components
2022-11-01	$437,107.56	Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-11-03	$15,603.25	Privy Council Office	License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-11-04	$32,424.22	Shared Services Canada	License/Maintenance fees for operating system and utility software related to servers, storage, peripherals and components
2022-11-07	$10,415.50	Royal Canadian Mounted Police	License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-11-08	$419,186.73	Royal Canadian Mounted Police	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-11-08	$723,583.71	Royal Canadian Mounted Police	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-11-15	$369,188.09	Royal Canadian Mounted Police	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-11-15	$73,902.61	Royal Canadian Mounted Police	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-11-15	$235,158.99	Global Affairs Canada	License/Maintenance fees for client software relat
2022-11-16	$123,373.76	Royal Canadian Mounted Police	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-11-21	$131,445.38	Health Canada	Lic/Maint fees Client Software
2022-11-28	$918,607.30	Fisheries and Oceans Canada	License/Maintenance fees for client software rel
2022-12-01	$31,459.20	Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-12-01	$31,459.20	Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-12-02	$7,876,154.25	Public Services and Procurement Canada	License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-12-05	$220,350.00	Canadian Food Inspection Agency	License/Maintenance fees for operating system and utility software related to servers, storage, peripherals and components
2022-12-07	$503,325.56	Shared Services Canada	Computer equipment related to production and operations (P&O) environment-All servers, storage, printers, etc. (includes all related parts and peripherals)
2022-12-09	$17,569,259.95	Public Services and Procurement Canada	License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-12-16	$176,702.19	Veterans Affairs Canada	License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)

October 2022 Lobbying Updates for IBM Canada Ltd.

By: Helen Beny, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

On October 12^th, Dave McCann met with the Ministers of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) and the National Research Council (NRC) to discuss “science and technology.”

On November 10^th IBM announced a new partnership with Net Zero Atlantic –a new member of their IBM Sustainability Accelerator Program. The partners will work to create digital tools to help Indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada make informed decisions regarding energy use, severe weather, and climate change.

IBM Canada Ltd. Lobbying Summary October 2022

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2022-10-12	Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry House of Commons Mitch Davies, President National Research Council (NRC) Anson Duran, Senior Policy Advisor I Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Ian Foucher, Chief of Staff Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President

July and September 2022 Lobbying Updates for IBM

By: Helen Beny, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

Over the past century, IBM Canada has invested in Canada’s research and development. In the past three months, IBM has lobbied the government ten times regarding science and technology. IBM has invested in Canada’s research and development and in February 2022, IBM and the Government of Quebec launched a partnership to accelerate research in new energy solutions, life sciences, quantum computing, AI, and high-performance computing. In May, IBM partnered with Newfoundland and Labrador and invested $18 million to strengthen research and development. They launched two initiatives –the Centre for Analytics, Informatics and Research (CAIR) and the Accelerated Analytics and Machine Learning (AAML) project. IBM’s Dave McCann and Bridget Howe met with members of the Office of the Minister Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). In the past three months six out of the ten communications have been with the ISED office. IBM is actively engaged with the Canadian government to discuss Canada’s copyright framework for Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things.

IBM Canada Ltd. Lobbying Summary (July – September 2022)

Communication Date	DPOH, Position Title \| Government Institution	Subject Matters	Lobbyist
2022-09-29	Anson Duran, Senior Policy Advisor \| Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Boyan Gerasimov, Director of Policy \| Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Jaxson Khan, Policy Advisor \| Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-09-29	Gérard Deltell, Member of Parliament for Louis-Saint-Laurent House of Commons	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-09-21	Ty Curran, Director, Policy and Issues Management \| Office of the Minister, Public Safety Canada (PS) Rob Jamieson, Senior Advisor \| Office of the MInister, Public Safety Canada (PS)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-09-21	Jasraj Singh Hallan, Member of Parliament for Calgary Forest Lawn House of Commons	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-09-21	Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Parliament for Orléans House of Commons	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-09-21	Irek Kusmierczyk, Member of Parliament for Windsor—Tecumseh House of Commons	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-09-21	Corinne Havard, Policy Advisor \| Office of the Minister, National Defence (DND) Tristan Laycock, Director of Parliamentary Affairs \| Office of the Minister, National Defence (DND)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-09-21	Corinne Havard, Policy Advisor National Defence (DND) Wilder Walker-Stewart, Special Assistant-Policy National Defence (DND	Economic Development, Employment and Training, Government Procurement, Intellectual Property, Research and Development, Science and Technology	Bridget Howe, Consultant
2022-09-21	Anson Duran, Senior Policy Director Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Jaxson Khan, Policy Advisor Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-09-21	Anson Duran, Senior Policy Director Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Jaxson Khan, Policy Advisor Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)	Economic Development, Industry, Research and Development, Science and Technology	Bridget Howe, Consultant
2022-08-09	Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-08-08	Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-08-05	Jenna Sudds, Member of Parliament for Kanata—Carleton House of Commons	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-08-02	Peter Opdam, Policy Advisor \| Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-07-21	Sylvain Chalut, Managing Director & Chief Information Officer Bank of Canada Filipe Dinis, Chief Operating Officer Bank of Canada Tiff Macklem, Governor Bank of Canada	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-07-11	Jaxson Khan, Policy Advisor \| Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-07-10	Anson Duran, Senior Policy Advisor \| Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President
2022-07-05	Elisabeth d’Amours, Policy Advisor \| Office of the Minister, Transport Canada (TC)	Science and Technology	Dave McCann, President

July 10, 2023December 20, 2023

Monthly Updates for Netflix

October 2023 Update: Netflix

By: Kyle Wyndham-West, PhD Student (McMaster University)

Netflix has returned to lobbying after a brief hiatus and recorded two communications reports both on the subject matters of arts and culture and broadcasting.

Interestingly, one was put forth by a consultant and the others responsible officer was registered within the company. Within this month Netflix saw an influx of subscribers and also increased their cost of membership. Another reason it made news was due to the intensity of controlling password sharing efforts by members. In addition to this, the digital media company announced its plans to start within the retail space.

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-10-23	Matthew Gray, Senior Policy AdvisorOffice of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting	ConsultantLobbyist: Subrata Bhattacharjee, Borden Ladner Gervais
2023-10-23	Matthew Gray , Senior Policy AdvisorCanadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting	Reg Thompson

September 2023 Update: Netflix

By: Kyle Wyndham-West, PhD Student (McMaster University)

Netflix recorded no communications in September.

August 2023 Update: Netflix

By: Kyle Wyndham-West, PhD Student (McMaster University)

Netflix recorded no communications with the Registry of Lobbyists in the month of August. However, they did launch a new service that would allow customers to stream video games which could be included in future discussions and communications.

May 2023 Update: Netflix

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

In May 2023, Netflix registered two communication reports with the Registry of Lobbyists. One meeting was on the topic of “broadcasting” while the other was on “Consumer Issues, Telecommunications, Broadcasting, Arts and Culture”. It is difficult to interpret exactly what these meetings were about, however, it is likely that Netflix continues to lobby about the implementation of Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act which became law on April 27, 2023. See this recent blog post for recent developments on Netflix’s position on Bill C-11.

The following table presents Netflix’s lobbying communication reports logged in the month of May 2023.

April 2023 Lobbying Update: Netflix

In April 2023, Netflix logged only one communication report which is presented in the following table.

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-04-21	Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)	Canada (ISED) Industry	Subrata Bhattacharjee (Consultant)

March 2023 Lobbying Update: Netflix

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

In March 2023, Netflix lobbied Canadian Heritage on the topic of “Arts and Culture, Broadcasting”. On the registry of lobbyist website, Netflix describes its lobbying focus related to “Arts and Culture” as the “global distribution of content in relation to cultural export policies.” In the TechLobby’s February 2023 monthly update on Netflix, it was clear that the streaming company was deeply invested in Canada’s Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Bill. The bill would obligate streaming companies to “promote Canadian films, TV and music, and contribute financially to Canada’s cultural industries.”

On March 22, 2023, Marie Woolf of the Globe and Mail reported that U.S. President Joe Biden had been “urged to escalate concerns about the impact of two Canadian bills on Google, Facebook and Netflix” which are U.S based companies. Additionally, a letter signed by 10 different trade associations, “including the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Foreign Trade Council and the Information Technology Industry Council” raised the issue that Bill C-11 would infringe the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The letter stated the coalition’s concern that “Canada is pursuing a number of problematic proposals and actions that could significantly limit the ability of U.S. companies to export their goods and services and fairly compete in the Canadian market.” The letter argued that If passed, the bill “could have disastrous consequences for content production and distribution and could inspire other countries to implement similar content-preference schemes.” As noted in an previous TechLobby monthly blog post, Canadian Lawyer Lawrence Herman has noted that this type of intervention by American politicians in Canada’s pending legislation reflects “a well-orchestrated lobbying effort by the major digital platforms”.

The following chart presents Netflix’s March 2023 lobbying activity.

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-03-24	Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy Canadian Heritage (PCH) Matthew Gray, Policy Advisor Canadian Heritage (PCH) Jude Welch, Chief of Staff to the Minister Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting	Reg Thompson

February 2023 Update: Netflix

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

Netflix did not log any communications reports through December 2022 or January 2023. However, in February 2023, Netflix picked up where it had left off in November 2022, registering three communications reports on the topic “arts and culture” and “broadcasting.” In Netflix’s November monthly update blog post, it was noted that Netflix’s lobbying activities primarily revolved around Bill C-11. Bill C-11 aims to regulate digital streaming platforms such as Netflix by requiring them to create and promote a certain percentage of Canadian content and make it accessible to Canadian users.

Netflix has long expressed its discontent with Bill C-11. Early in the legislative process Netflix made a submission to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage about the Study of Bill C-10, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts. Submitted by Stéphane Cardin, Director of Public Policy at Netflix, the submission highlighted Netflix’s investments in Canada. Netflix reminded Canada that in 2020, over 40 original Canadian produced titles were released on the platform. The submission also reminded Canadian Heritage that in 2017, Netflix established Netflix Canada, which was the platforms “first permanent production presence outside of the U.S.,” and committed to Canada under the Investment Canada Act which obligates Netflix to invest “a minimum of $500 million over five years in production activity across the country.”

On October 4, 2022, Cardin appeared before the Standing Committee on Transport and Communications. Again, Cardin spoke to Netflix’s investment in Canada and their active promotion of Canadian content. Cardin raised Netflix’s concerns about Bill C-11 stating, “We believe a new legislative framework should recognize that streaming services provide an unparalleled opportunity to promote Canadian stories to global audiences.” Cardin reminded the committee that Netflix has “invested more than $3.5 billion in Canadian production since 2017.”

Netflix’s reminders of the company’s investment in Canada may be attempts to have the Canadian government reconsider its efforts to indirectly regulate Netflix’s recommender systems for users in Canada. Cardin expressed that although Bill C-11 has a “noble objective”, it threatens to allow the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to “force Netflix to serve up Canadian films and TV programs people might not want to watch.” Cardin claims Bill C-11 creates “a situation where you will force a certain content option onto a viewer and it is something that they are not interested in: It’s a Canadian horror film and someone is only interested in Canadian romantic comedies. That results in that show being viewed less favourably, and that has an impact.”

Such statements have contributed to a wider concern that Bill C-11 constitutes a censorship Bill. For instance, Senator David Admas Richards an acclaimed novelist and screenwriter, claimed that Bill C-11 was “censorship passing as national inclusion.” Richards concerns is primarily related to the powers that Bill C-11 would give the CRTC to decide what does and doesn’t count as Canadian content. Likewise, Matt Hatfeild Campaigns Director for the internet advocacy group OpenMedia, noted that Bill C-11 is “potentially regulating people’s individual expression” by determining what Canadians can watch.

As noted in an earlier blog post, although Ian Scott stated in a June 2022 Senate meeting that the CRTC might tell platforms to “manipulate it (the algorithm) to produce particular outcomes,” the CRTC is primarily interested in an outcome where Canadian content is being promoted by streaming platforms, regulators are less interested in the specific tools they apply to generate that outcome. Bill C-11 does not seek to control the algorithms of recommendations systems like Netflix; it merely dictates a certain promotion of Candain content to make it more discoverable. Bill C-11 specifically rules against the government tinkering with the algorithms of streaming services. As Marie Woolf points out, “A clause in the bill would prevent the CRTC making an order requiring the “use of a specific computer algorithm or source code.”

Netflix is also worried that the definition of Canadian content is too broad. Cardin added that under the current definition of Canadian content “many productions made in Canada with Canadian actors and crew might not count as Canadian, because Netflix or a company from outside Canada owns the intellectual property rights.” Canadian film industry leaders have also been concerned about the definition of Canadian content because that definition will be re-examined after Bill C-11 passes. Once Bill C-11 had gone through its third reading in the Senate on February 2, 2023, Canadian film industry leaders expressed their concerns that Bill C-11 could be disadvantageous for Canadian filmmakers and TV producers because it would produce a “two tiered system” for Canadian production and foreign players. Essentially, foreign streaming services like Netflix would not be held to the same standard for Canadian content as Canadian production companies. This would give streaming services an edge over Canadian production companies.

The following table presents Netflix’s communication reports from the federal lobbyist registry for the month of February 2023.

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-02-03	Jude Welch, Chief of Staff to the Minister Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture	Greg Maceachern (Consultant)
2023-02-03	Jude Welch, Chief of Staff to the Minister Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture	Reg Thompson
2023-03-24	Matthew Gray , Policy Advisor Canadian Heritage (PCH) Jude Welch, Chief of Staff to the Minister Canadian Heritage (PCH) Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting	Reg Thompson

November 2022 Update: Netflix

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Student (McMaster University)

Netflix Services Canada ULC: November Lobbying Summary

Netflix Services Canada ULC is a subsidiary of Netflix Inc. Reg Thompson, President of Netflix Services Canada ULC, registered four communications with Directors of Policy of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) and Canadian Heritage (PCH) on the subject matter of “Arts and Culture, Broadcasting.”

Scott’s comments signal a subtle change in tone, suggesting a lighter approach to the regulation of Canadian content on streaming service operating in Canada than originally thought. Initially, in June of 2022, Scott claimed that the regulator may require platforms to “manipulate [the algorithm] to produce particular outcomes.” This, he seemed to clarify in November, may not be the case. Rather, Scott argues that the CRTC is interested primarily in an outcome where Canadian content is being promoted by streaming platforms, regulators are less interested in the specific tools they apply to generate that outcome.

On December 9, 2022, legal scholar Michael Geist suggested that part of the problem with Bill C-11 is what counts as Canadian content that streaming platforms are being asked to promote. Geist notes that although a program can be produced, filmed, and about Canada, if Netflix owns the intellectual property that program will not count as Canadian content. Because the criteria for CanCon remains somewhat unclear for platforms and their users, Geist notes that the CRTC has forced Netflix into a uncomfortable regulatory position.

Geist’s article suggests that Netflix’s meetings with the CRTC and Canadian Heritage are about what should count as CanCon, and continuing discussions about whether, or if at all, user generated content would be regulated under Bill C-11. Netflix has significant interest in these communications because, as Geist notes: “Netflix pumps billions of dollars into film and television production and content licensing in Canada; it spends more on dramatic film and television production in Canada than any Canadian broadcaster.”

The following table charts Netflix’s logged communication reports for the month of November 2022. Netflix logged no communication reports with the Registry of Lobbyist for the month of December 2022. The information provided in this chart come from Netflix Canada’s profile on the Registry of Lobbyist website.

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2022-11-08	Michael Craig, Director \| Broadcasting Chairperson’s Office \| Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) – Scott Shortliffe, Executive Director \| Broadcasting Chairperson’s Office \| Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting	Reg Thompson, President
2022-11-24	Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy \| Canadian Heritage (PCH) – Ashley Michnowski, Director of Communications \| Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting	Reg Thompson, President
2022-11-24	Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy Minister’s Office, Canadian Heritage (PCH) – Ashley Michnowski, (Acting) Chief of Staff Minister’s Office, Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting	Greg Maceachern (Consultant)
2022-11-24	Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy Canadian Heritage (PCH) – Ashley Michnowski, Director of Communications Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting	Christopher McCluskey (Consultant)

October 2022 Update for Netflix Services Canada ULC

By: Helen Beny, Ph.D Candidate (McMaster University)

Netflix has also outlined their concerns regarding Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act. Netflix in particular has warned the committee that the bill could allow the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to serve Canadians content that they may not be interested in watching. In October, the President Reg Thompson registered communications with various members of the Canadian Heritage Office where “arts and culture, broadcasting and consumer issues” were discussed . Following suit, Thompson registered communications with Senator Paula Simmons regarding the same subject matter.

Netflix Services Canada ULC Lobbying Summary

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2022-10-03	Jude Welch, Chief of Staff to the Minister Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture	Greg Maceachern (Consultant)
2022-10-04	Paula Simons, Senator Senate of Canada	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting, Consumer Issues	Reg Thompson, President
2022-10-04	Paula Simons, Senator Senate of Canada	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting, Consumer Issues	Greg Maceachern (Consultant)
2022-10-03	Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy Canadian Heritage (PCH) Matthew Gray, Policy Advisor Canadian Heritage (PCH) Ashley Michnowski, Director of Communications Canadian Heritage (PCH)	Arts and Culture, Broadcasting, Consumer Issues	Reg Thompson, President

July 10, 2023December 20, 2023

Monthly Updates for Oracle

October 2023 Lobbying Update: Oracle

By: Kyle Wyndham-West, PhD Student (McMaster University)

Oracle recorded no communications.

September 2023 Lobbying Update: Oracle

By: Kyle Wyndham-West, PhD Student (McMaster University)

In the month of September Oracle recorded 1 communication report with the subject matter with Government Procurement.

Oracle reportedly had a difficult fiscal quarter and is seeing a slow adoption of their new Cloud services. However, Loblaws has signed a contract with the cloud operator to modernize its data collection and protection. Another point of growth to mention is a furthering of their partnership with Microsoft. This would allow for a deployment of Oracle cloud services within Microsofts Azure infratsructure.

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-09-26	Shannon Archibald, ADM \| Shared Services Canada (SSC)	Government Procurement	Kevin Tetreault, Edelman

August 2023 Lobbying Update: Oracle

By: Kyle Wyndham-West, PhD Student (McMaster University)

In August Oracle submitted two communications with the Registry of Lobbyists on the topics of “Government Procurement”.

During August Oracle introduced more features to their cloud services which would allow enterprises to run applications on proprietary optimized infrastructure within individual data centers that would enforce data security and help to meet low-latency requirements. This new service was developed to provide internal cloud infrastructure for sensitive data that is unable to leave the premises. It would combine original on premise IT services with Oracle Cloud seamlessly, offering the first service of its kind. Oracle Cloud infrastructure is the fastest growing cloud service in the technology sector, so it comes as no surprise that they could have had lobbyists attempting to sell the service.

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-08-17	Robert Ianiro, ADM \| Shared Services Canada (SSC)	Government Procurement	Kevin Tetreault, Edelman
2023-08-15	Kristina Casey, Chief Information Officer \| Transport Canada (TC)	Government Procurement	Kevin Tetreault, Edelman

June 2023 Lobbying Update: Oracle

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

In June 2023, Oracle registered only one communication report on the topic of “government procurement.” Oracle continues to seek government contracts related to innovating public service delivery. As noted in this blog post, securing government contracts continues to be a key strategy for Oracle in the United States in Canada. Oracle signed five government contracts valued over $10,000 in June 2023. The contracts are listed below.

Oracle June Communication Reports

Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-06-15	Robert Ianiro, ADM Shared Services Canada (SSC)	Government Procurement	Kevin Tetreault (Consultant)

Oracle Contracts Signed Valued over $10,000

Date Signed	Value	Government Departments	Work Description
June 5, 2023	$212,429.37	Royal Canadian Mounted Police	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
June 9, 2023	$293,969.50	National Defence	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
June 12, 2023	$111,759.18	Royal Canadian Mounted Police	License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
June 14, 2023	$66,698.93	Public Services and Procurement Canada	License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
June 29, 2023	$1,698,624.69	Public Services and Procurement Canada	Information technology and telecommunications consultants

April 2023 Lobbying Update: Oracle

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

Oracle did not register any lobbying communications for the month of March, 2023. On April 18, 2023, Oracle Canada lobbied Executive Vice President, Scott Jones of Shared Services Canada on the topic of “government procurement.” On the registry of lobbyist website government procurement is the only subject matter that Oracle Canada lists as a topic they lobby about. As noted in a previous blog post, Oracle describes its activities related to lobbying on government procurement as follows: “Oracle seeks to identify and secure federal procurement opportunities as it relates to innovating public service delivery.” As noted in this blog post, securing government contracts continues to be a key strategy for Oracle in the United States in Canada.

On March 24, 2023, Oracle signed a contract valued at $85,514.34 with Infrastructure Canada for work related to licence/maintenance fees for “App.Software”. This marks Oracle’s 37^th government contract signed worth more than $10,000 in the year 2023. This ranks Oracle with the second most government contracts signed between Google (6 contracts), Amazon (30 contracts) , and Microsoft (100 contracts).

The following chart presents Oracle’s lobbying activity for April 2023.

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-04-18	Scott Jones, Executive Vice President \| President’s Office, Shared Services Canada (SSC)	Government Procurement	Kevin Tetreault (Consultant)

February 2023 Lobbying Update: Oracle

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

This brief blog post presents Oracle’s lobbying communication reports submitted for February 2023. In February 2023, Oracle only logged two communication reports both with the Registry of lobbyist on the topic of “government procurement.” Oracle’s profile in the Registry of Lobbyists notes that the company actively” “seeks to identify and secure federal procurement opportunities as it relates to innovating public service delivery”. Though it is hard to interpret what Oracle lobbied Shared Services Canada about, securing government contracts continues to be an important objective for Oracle as the company competes with larger tech platforms in the realm of cloud services. Through January and February 2023, Oracle signed two government contracts valued over $10,000. On January 23, 2023, Oracle signed a contract valued at $10,738.95 with the National Film Board for work related to “License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)”. On February 24, 2023 Oracle signed a contract valued at $72,729.92 with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada for work related to “License/Maintenance fees for App Software.”

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2023-02-16	Robert Ianiro, ADM Shared Services Canada (SSC)	Government Procurement	Kevin Tetreault (Consultant)
2023-02-16	Robert Ianiro, ADM Shared Services Canada (SSC)	Government Procurement	Kevin Tetreault (Consultant)

November and December 2022 Lobbying Update: Oracle

By: Brad McNeil, PhD Student (McMaster University)

This brief blog post presents Oracle’s lobbying communication reports submitted for the months of November and December 2022. Also presented are the government contracts valued over $10,000 that Oracle signed during these months. Though Oracle did not register many communication reports over the combined months of November and December 2022. However, it appears that Oracle is focused on issues related to the procurement of government contracts.

Oracle Canada: November and December Lobbying Summaries

In November 2022, Oracle Canada logged one lobbying communication on the subject of “Budget” with a Deputy Director of Policy at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Finance Canada (FIN).

Oracle also logged one lobbying communication on the topic of “Government Procurement” with an Assistant Deputy Minister of the Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS). Oracle’s lobbying profile on the Registry of Lobbyist website notes broadly that the company “seeks to identify and secure federal procurement opportunities as it relates to innovating public service delivery.” Through November and December 2022, Oracle signed seven government contracts. These contracts were signed with Global Affairs Canada ($38,356.74), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ($12,603.88), National Research Council Canada ($19,635.50), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada ($42,995.74), Sgoogleocial Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada ($42,995.74), Shared Services Canada ($24,119.90), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ($217,480.97). The work description for these contracts involves activities related to the optimization of the listed government department’s application development and delivery software.

Oracle November 2022 Lobbying Communications

Communications	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2022-11-04	Bud Sambasivam, Deputy Director of Policy Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Finance Canada (FIN)	Budget	Pierre Cyr (Consultant)

Oracle December 2022 Lobbying Communications

Communications	Lobbied	Subject	Responsible Officer
2022-12-01	Ross Ermel, Assistant Deputy Minister Treasury Board Of Canada Secretariat (TBS)	Government Procurement	Kevin Tetreault (Consultant)

Oracle Lobbying Update for October 2022

By: Helen Beny, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)

Oracle Canada lobbied the Chief Technology officer Shared Services Canada (SSC) Matt Davies regarding government procurement to seek opportunities related to innovating public service delivery. This meeting took place after the signing of four contracts this past September.

In September, Oracle Canada attained four government contracts with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, National Film Board, and Shared Services Canada. The listed contracts were related to utility software, storage, telecommunication consults and application software amassing a total cost of 1.4 million.

In the past 12 months, Oracle has lobbied the government on fourteen occasions.

Communication Date	Lobbied	Subject Matters	Responsible Officer
2022-09-29	Matt Davies, Chief Technology Officer Shared Services Canada (SSC)	Government Procurement	Kevin Tetreault (Consultant)