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.
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).
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.
In the month of October Google registered 12 communications reports on varying subject matters such as science and technology, economic development, broadcasting, media, economic development, and privacy and access to information.
Bram Abramson, Commissioner, Ontario RegionCanadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Science and Technology, Economic Development
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-13
Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural AffairsCanadian Heritage (PCH) Brian MacKay, Director of Policy & Stakeholder EngagementOffice of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Broadcasting, Media
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-17
Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian HeritageHouse of Commons Jude Welch, Chief of StaffOffice of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Brian MacKay, Director of Policy & Stakeholder EngagementOffice of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural AffairsCanadian Heritage (PCH)
Media, Broadcasting
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-17
Jude Welch, Chief of StaffOffice of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Brian MacKay, Director of Policy & Stakeholder EngagementOffice of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian HeritageHouse of Commons Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural AffairsCanadian Heritage (PCH)
Broadcasting, Media
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-18
Brian MacKay, Director of Policy & Stakeholder EngagementOffice of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Jude Welch, Chief of StaffOffice of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Broadcasting, Media
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-19
Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy MinisterInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Science and Technology
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-23
Colin Deacon, Senator for Nova ScotiaSenate of Canada Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler , Senator for ManitobaSenate of Canada
Science and Technology
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-24
Randy Hoback, Member of Parliament for Prince AlbertHouse of Commons
Economic Development
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-25
Kyle Seeback, Member of Parliament for Dufferin—CaledonHouse of Commons
Economic Development
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-26
Jaxson Khan, Policy AdvisorOffice of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Privacy and Access to Information
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-27
Brian MacKay, Director of Policy & Stakeholder EngagementOffice of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Media, Broadcasting
Sabrina Geremia
2023-10-27
Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural AffairsCanadian Heritage (PCH)
Mark Schaan , Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Science and Technology
Sabrina Geremia
2023-09-22
Jaxson Khan, Policy Advisor, Office of the Minister | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Science and Technology
Sabrina Geremia
2023-09-27
Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural Affairs | Canadian Heritage (PCH)Brian MacKay, Director of Policy & Stakeholder Engagement, Office of the Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH)
BroadcastingMedia
Sabrina Geremia
2023-09-28
Brian Mackay, Director of Policy & Stakeholder Engagement, Office of the Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH)Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural Affairs | Canadian Heritage (PCH)Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage | House of CommonsJude Welch, Chief of Staff, Office of the Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH)Isabelle Mondou, Deputy Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Ron Ahluwalia, Director of PolicyOffice of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Media
Sabrina Geremia
2023-08-14
Jude Welch, Chief of Staff, Office of the Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH) Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage | House of Commons Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural Affairs | Canadian Heritage (PCH) Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy, Office of the Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH) Brian MacKay, Deputy Director of Policy, Office of the Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Media
Sabrina Geremia
2023-08-08
Brian MacKay, Deputy Director of Policy, Office of the Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Media
Sabrina Geremia
2023-08-02
Sarah Hussaini, Director of Policy | Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
In July 2023, Google logged only one communication report with the Registry of Lobbyists on the topics of “science and technology”, “broadcasting”, and “media.” It is likely that some of Google’s lobbying this month is related to Bill C-18, the Online News Act. As stated in early blog post, since Bill C-18 received royal assent on June 22, 2023, Google has retaliated by vowing to remove its news links on its services which include Google News, Search, and Discover as well as Google News Showcase, Additionally, Google chose not to include Canada in the expansion of its AI chatbot, Bard. The chat bot is available in “40 languages across 230 countries”, but Canada is not included in this long list. As noted by Nida Zafar, Googles decision not to withhold Bard from Canadian consumers may related to the Bill C-18 drama. However, it may also be related to Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act which is concerned with AI and updated privacy regulation. Apart from Canada, the only other countries that Bard is not available in are Russia, China, North Korea, and Afghanistan.
Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Brian MacKay, Deputy Director of Policy | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Jude Welch, Chief of Staff | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH)
In June 2023, Google registered seven lobbying communications reports. All of Google’s seven lobbying meetings in June were about “Science and Technology”, “Broadcasting,” and “Media”. It is possible that Google’s lobbying efforts this month were related to Bill C-18 the Online News Act and Bill C-11the Online Streaming Act. In the March and April 2023 monthly update for Google, it was noted that the Google was running a news blocking experiment as a response to Bill C-18 which, if passed, would force platforms like Google and Facebook to compensate Canadian media outlets for linking articles shared on their platforms. On Wednesday June 7, Prime Minister Trudeau described Google’s threats to withdraw its news services from its platforms as a bullying tactic which would not work in Canada. Trudeau noted “We will continue to make sure that these incredibly profitable corporations contribute to strengthening our democracy, not weakening it.”
Brian MacKay, Deputy Director of Policy | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural Affairs Canadian Heritage (PCH) Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage House of Commons
Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Brian MacKay, Deputy Director of Policy | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Lionel Fritz Adimi, Policy Advisor Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Sarah Hussaini, Director of Policy Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Brian MacKay, Deputy Director of Policy | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Sean Mullin , Special Advisor, Economic Affairs Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Brian Clow, Deputy Chief of Staff Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Lionel Fritz Adimi, Policy Advisor Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Sarah Hussaini, Director of Policy Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Brian MacKay, Deputy Director of Policy | Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Brian MacKay, Deputy Director of Policy | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH)
The Tech Lobby’s previous monthly update on Google’s January and February 2023 lobbying activities stated that Google was interested in influencing the direction of Bill C-18, the Online News Bill. In March 2023, Google continued to lobby about “broadcasting and media”,submitting nine communications reports on the topic with the registry of lobbyist website. As previously noted, Google’s decision to remove its news function from Canada as a response to the Bill C-18 news link tax prompted parliament to question top Google executives.
In March, in response to Google’s experiment, the Heritage Committee called Google executives to a commons committee meeting. The committee called on Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai, Kent Walker, Google’s President of Legal Affairs, and Richard Gingras, Vice-President of News. However, Google sent only Sabrina Geremia, Canada’s Public Policy Manager, to answer to the committee members questions. The Committee also asked for internal communications related to Google’s decision to block the news. As reported by Marie Woolf of the Globe and Mail, committee member Anthony Housefather, warned Google that he would refer the company “to the House of Commons for failing to send it internal communication and refusing its summons for its chief executive officer, Sundar Pichai” .
During the Monday March 10 committee meeting, Google indicated that it would end its experiment by March 16. Although the Google blog claimed that they were carrying out their news blocking experiment in the most responsible way, Conservative MP Kavin Waugh noted that “1.2 million Canadians were shut out, four per cent of the population that use Google. And you never told people you’re blocking them out. You just arbitrarily did it.” The committee noted their disappointment that “clear questions” were not being answered by Google representative Geremia and also for the fact that Google failed to turnover the internal documents that the committee requested which involved: “any and all internal or external communication, including but not limited to emails, text or other forms of messages related to actions, plans to take or options considered, in relation to Canada’s Bill C-18, including but not limited to those in relation to the testing and blocking of news sites in Canada.”
Lionel Fritz Adimi, Policy Advisor Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Johanna Robinson, Deputy Director of Communications Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Katie Telford, Chief of Staff Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Ron Ahluwalia, Director of Policy | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Brian MacKay, Senior Policy Advisor | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Jude Welch, Chief of Staff | Office of the Minister , Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Ashley Michnowski , Director of Communications | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage House of Commons Laura Scaffidi, Press Secretary and Communications Advisor | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Google ramped up its lobbying communications in February 2023. In February, Google held eleven meetings with various members of Canadian Government. Ten of these meetings were on the topics of “Broadcasting and Intellectual Property”. Undoubtedly, much of Google’s lobbying efforts remain focussed on Bill C-18 which is now under review in the Senate. Since publishing a blog post titled “It’s Time to Fix Bill C-18″ in November, 2022, Google has communicated several concerns with Bill C-18. Google worries the bill would lead to a link tax, forcing them to pay news organizations for links to articles regardless of their quality. Additionally, Google fears that the bill would subsidize “non-authoritative or biased news sources”. Google also worries that further amendments to Bill C-18 would mean that the company would have to extend payments to more types of media organizations like community radio stations.
Google lobbyists were not quite as active in December with three communications logs. Two were on the topic of “Broadcasting,” and “Media”—one with the Heritage Minister’s Chief of Staff and the Director of Communications of Canadian Heritage, and the other with a Policy Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office. In December, Google also logged one communication with a policy advisor of the Minister, Environment and Climate Change Canada on the topics of “Environment,” and “Science and Technology.”
On December 14, 2022, Bill C-18 passed in the House of Commons and was headed for the Senate. The Bill would obligate Google and Facebook parent company Meta to share revenues with news publishers by forcing the companies to reach commercial deals.
During the month of November 2022, Google Canada’s Managing Director Sabrina Geremia registered communications with Policy Directors and Advisors, Members of Parliament, and Members of the Senate for a total of six registered lobbying communications on the topic of “Media,” “Justice and Law Enforcement,” and “Broadcasting”. Geremia reported two other lobbying communications, one regarding “Science and Technology” with a Senator of Quebec, and the other about “Science and Technology,” and “Privacy and Access to Information” with a Policy Advisor atInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).
-Matthew Gray, Policy Advisor | Office of the Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH) -Julie Harb , Policy Advisor | Office of the Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH) -Ashley Michnowski, Director of Communications | Office of the Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Rachael Thomas, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge | House of Commons –Marilyn Gladu, Member of Parliament for Sarnia—Lambton | House of Commons –Martin Shields, Member of Parliament for Bow River | House of Commons
Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) –Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural Affairs | Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Roy Rempel, Senior Policy Advisor | Office of the Leader of the Opposition | Senate of Canada
Media, Justice and Law Enforcement, Broadcasting
Sabrina Geremia, Managing Director
October 2022 Updatefor Google
By: Helen Beny, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)
As Bill C-18, the Online News Act, and Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, move through the house and senate, tech companies have ramped up their lobbying. Facebook, Google, Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle and Netflix registered 34 registered lobbying communications in October (Figure 1). Meta (Facebook Canada Ltd.) and Alphabet (Google) focussed on C-18 and C-11.
Tech companies have registered 353 lobbying communications so far in 2022. According to our tech lobbying timeline, platforms such as Google and Amazon have increased their lobbying efforts in Canada and overall, this month bringing annual tech lobbying to an all-time annual high.
Google Canada Corporation: October 2022
In the past month, Google Canada’s Managing Director Sabrina Geremia registered communications with Members of Parliament, Policy Advisors to the Prime Minister, Canadian Heritage Office and Members of the Senate, accounting for nine registered lobbying communications to discuss “broadcasting and media”.
On October 14th, Colin McKay, head of Public Policy and Government Relations for Google Canada, appeared before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (CHPC) as a witness to share their position on Bill C-18. McKay argues that the bill will not meet the government’s intended objective to support Canada’s local journalism industry. Instead, Google has argued that the Bill C-18 will lead to an increase in misinformation because it will reduce the access to legitimate news sources, and it could also lead to a link-tax. (The Canadian Heritage Committee denies this, saying they will not assign a “value” for clicks or links. )
Fritz-Lionel Adimi, Policy Advisor Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Ben Chin, Senior Advisor Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Brian Clow, Deputy Chief of Staff Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Oz Jungic, Policy Advisor Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Matthew Gray, Policy Advisor | Office of the Minister, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Thomas Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural Affairs Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Fritz-Lionel Adimi, Policy Advisor Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Broadcasting, Justice and Law Enforcement, Media
Sabrina Geremia, Managing Director
(Office of the Lobbying Commissioner 2022)
July and September 2022 Update for Google
By: Helen Beny, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)
As of July, Google has lobbied the government thirteen times regarding Media and Broadcasting, and they have met with various policy officers and members of Parliament. The uptick in lobbying efforts can be linked to Google’s position on Bill C-11, and in the past week they have launched several campaigns against the bill. Google (Alphabet) and owner of Youtube argues that it will impact their platform’s feeds. Other platforms and organizations such as Meta, movie studios (The Motion Picture Association), and Netflix have also outlined that Bill C-11 would give the broadcast regulator too much power over what content is presented on platforms in Canada. Bill C-11 has passed the House of Commons and is now in the Senate pending approval.
Google is also lobbying against Bill C-18 because it will require Google to share their revenue with news publishers. In Australia, February 25, 2022, a similar bill was also passed titled the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code to protect their local news industry.
Google’s president of Global Affairs Kent Walker traveled to Ottawa on October 4th to lobby against both Bill C-11 and C-18. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez finds that Google is attempting to intimidate Canadians with their campaign.
However, not all of Google’s lobbying strategies are recorded in Canada’s registry. Most recently, the Globe and Mail has reported that Chris Bittle, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Heritage Minister, has asked the Lobbying Commissioner to investigate the Digital First group for failing to disclose to the committee that they received a $100,000 fund from YouTube and TikTok. This is concerning because Mr. Benzie the founder of Digital First Canada group is huge critic of Bill C-11. In addition, Google has also offered to fund a lobbyist to represent independent news publishers to voice their concerns around the Online News Act. Thus far, the coalition of small publishers consists of more than 100 independent news outlets.
Google Canada Corporation Lobbying Summary (July – September 2022)
Nadia Kadri, Director of Policy | Office of the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Jaxson Khan , Policy Advisor | Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Peter Opdam , Policy Advisor | Office of the Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
During October, Amazon filed 13 communications reports ranging from the subject matters of industry, science and technology, small business, government procurement, national security, economic development, taxation and finance, and telecommunications.
Arun Alexander, Deputy Head of Mission to the Embassy of Canada to the United States of AmericaGlobal Affairs Canada (GAC)
Industry
Jasmin Begagic
2023-10-16
Scott Jones, PresidentShared Services Canada (SSC)
Science and Technology
Eric Gales
2023-10-17
Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small BusinessInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Small Business
Jasmin Begagic
2023-10-25
Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy MinisterOffice of the Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Andrea Johnston, Assistant Deputy MinisterInnovation Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Eric Dagenais, Senior Assistant Deputy MinisterAssistant Deputy Minister’s Office, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Industry
Eric Gales
2023-10-25
Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy MinisterOffice of the Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Government Procurement, Science and Technology
ConsultantLobbyist: DAVID ANGUS, The Capital Hill Group Inc.
2023-10-25
Eric Dagenais, Senior Assistant Deputy MinisterInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy MinisterInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Andrea Johnston, Assistant Deputy MinisterInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Industry
Jasmin Begagic
2023-10-26
Dane Lloyd, Member of ParliamentHouse of Commons
Government Procurement, National Security/Security, Economic Development, Telecommunications
ConsultantLobbyist: Mark Johnson, PAA Advisory | Conseils
2023-10-26
Dane Lloyd, Member of ParliamentSturgeon River – Parkland, House of Commons
National Security/Security
Eric Gales
2023-10-26
Sébastien Lemire, Member of ParliamentHouse of Commons
Science and Technology
Eric Gales
2023-10-26
Sébastien Lemire, Member of ParliamentHouse of Commons
While there were a number of communications with the Canadian government it is also important to note the regulatory problems the company is facing in the US. Across the border Amazon has received a lawsuit from the FTC with an Anti-trust trial taking focus on the ecommerce giant maintaining alleged monopoly power.
Andy Fillmore, Member of Parliament | House of Commons
Industry
Eric Gales
2023-09-13
Corinne Havard, Senior Policy Advisor | National Defence (DND)
Industry
Eric Gales
2023-09-19
Julie Dabrusin, Member of Parliament | House of Commons
Arts and Culture
Jasmin Begagic
2023-09-27
Kyle Seeback, Member of Parliament | House of Commons
Industry
Jasmin Begagic
2023-09-28
Zachary Nixon, Director of Operations | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)Angad Dhillon, Chief of Staff, Minister of Small Business | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)Kendra Wilcox, Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Small Business
Jasmin Begagic
2023-09-28
Greg Fergus, Member of Parliament | House of CommonsMatthew Jones, Assistant Deputy Minister, Healthy Environments Consumer Safety Branch | Health Canada (HC)
Darren Hall, Policy Advisor, Opposition Leader’s Office | House of Commons David Murray, Director of Policy, Opposition Leader’s Office | House of Commons
Industry
Jasmin Begagic
2023-08-23
Caroline Séguin, Director of Strategic Initiatives | Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Tania Belisle-Leclerc, Director of Policy | Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Science and Technology
Eric Gales
2023-08-23
Tania Belisle – Leclerc, Director of Policy, Minister’s Office | Global Affairs Canada (GAC) Caroline Séguin, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Minister’s Office | Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Science and TechnologyNational Security/SecurityGovernment ProcurementResearch and Development
Mark Johnson, PAA Advisory | Conseils
2023-08-15
Jason Lenz, Analyst/Economist | Finance Canada (FIN)
Taxation and Finance
Jasmin Begagic
2023-08-15
Trevor McGowan, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister | Finance Canada (FIN)
Taxation and Finance
Jasmin Begagic
2023-08-14
Nipun Vats, Associate Deputy Minister | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Research and Development
Eric Gales
2023-08-14
Nipun Vats, Associate Deputy Minister | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Science and Technology
Fernando Minna, The Capital Hill Group
2023-08-10
Jaxson Khan, Senior Policy Advisor | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Research and Development
Eric Gales
2023-08-09
Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Economic Development
Eric Gales
2023-08-09
Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy Minister | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Mary Gregory, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Economic Development
Eric Gales
2023-08-08
Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Research and DevelopmentScience and TechnologyEconomic DevelopmentIndustry
This blog post gives an update on Amazon’s lobbying activities for the month of July 2023. Using data from Amazon’s Registry of Lobbyists profile and news articles, the lobbying activities of Amazon Web Services Canada (AWS) and Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC (ACFS) will be documented below. Amazon Corporate LLC did not submit any lobbying communication reports with the Registry of Lobbyist for the month of July.
Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy Minister | Office of the Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Mary Gregory, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Ian Foucher, Chief of Staff | Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Jaxson Khan, Senior Policy Advisor Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
In June 2023, Amazon Web Services (AWS) logged four communication reports with the Registry of Lobbyists. Three of these meetings were about “industry” while the other was about “economic development”. AWS is a subsidiary or Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individual consumers, corporations, and governments on a pay as you go basis. As noted in previous Amazon monthly updates, AWS focuses on securing government contracts for its cloud services. Additionally, AWS seeks to “influence policy direction related to cloud based services”. On June 28, 2023, Adam Selipsky, CEO of Amazon Web Services, noted that AWS expects to invest $21 billion in Canada by 2037.
Francis Bilodeau, Associate Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Sciences and Economic Development | Minister’s Office, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Jaxson Khan, Senior Policy Advisor Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Eric Dagenais, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister | Assistant Deputy Minister’s Office, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Industry
Jasmin Begagic
Amazon Corporate LLC
Amazon Corporate Limited Liability Company (LLC) is another subsidiary of Amazon which allows the company to reduce its overall tax liability in Canada. In June 2023, Amazon LLC registered two lobbying communication reports with the Registry of Lobbyists on the topics of “transportation, economic development” and “industry, economic development”.
Eric Amyot, Policy Advisor | Office of the Minister , Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Dominic Cormier, Chief of Staff | Office of the Minister , Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
This monthly lobbying report follows Amazon’s lobbying activities through the months of March and April 2023. The lobbying activities of Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, Amazon Web Services, and Amazon Corporate LLC are discussed in three separate sections. Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services is a subsidiary of Amazon which involves the shipping and delivering services offered by Amazon. Amazon Web Services is a subsidiary of Amazon that “provides on-demand cloud computing services for individuals, companies and governments on a metred, pay-as-you-go basis”. Amazon Corporate Limited Liability Company (LLC) is another subsidiary of Amazon which allows the company to reduce its overall tax liability.
Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services: March and April 2023
Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Scott Shortliffe, Executive Director | Broadcasting, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
Ryan Williams, Member of Parliament House of Commons
Industry
Jasmin Begagic
Amazon Web Services: March and April 2023
This section presents Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) lobbying activities using filed communication reports for the months of March and April 2023. Following the tables presenting AWS’s lobbying, this section also lists all government contracts AWS signed with various government departments valued over $10,000.
Samir Chhabra, Director General Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Jaxson Khan, Policy Advisor Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Surdas Mohit, Acting Director Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Boyan Gerasimov, Director of Policy Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Jaxson Khan, Policy Advisor Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Patrick Boucher, Assistant Deputy Minister | National and Cyber Security Branch, Public Safety Canada (PS) Tricia Geddes, Associate Deputy Minister Public Safety Canada (PS) Shawn Tupper, Deputy Minister Public Safety Canada (PS)
Patrick Boucher, Assistant Deputy Minister | National and Cyber Security Branch, Public Safety Canada (PS) Tricia Geddes, Associate Deputy Minister Public Safety Canada (PS) Shawn Tupper, Deputy Minister Public Safety Canada (PS)
Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Rajiv Gupta, Associate Head | Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) Sami Khoury, Head | Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC)
Eric Dagenais, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister | Assistant Deputy Minister’s Office, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Boyan Gerasimov, Director of Policy Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Patrick Boucher, Assistant Deputy Minister | National and Cyber Security Branch, Public Safety Canada (PS)
National Security/Security
Eric Gales
Amazon Web Services Contracts Signed Valued Over $10,000
AWS signed 14 contracts valued over $10,000 in March 2023. The total value of contracts signed in March is $6,248,656.20. The following table presents all government contracts valued over $10,000 signed by AWS in March 2023. Data about contracts signed in April remains unavailable, this data is published quarterly.
Date
Value
Government Department
Work Description
Mar 3, 2023
$357,984.00
Shared Services Canada
Tuition fees and costs of attending courses including seminars not elsewhere specified
Mar 7, 2023
$214,293.20
Health Canada
Info Technology and Telecomm Consultants
Mar 8, 2023
$350,661.60
Natural Resources Canada
Information technology and telecommunications consultants
Mar 14, 2023
$525,992.40
Health Canada
Info Technology and Telecomm Consultants
Mar 17, 2023
$50,000.00
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Computer services (includes IT solutions/deliverables as well as IT managed
Mar 19, 2023
$226,000.00
National Research Council Canada
Computer services (includes IT solutions/deliverables as well as IT managed services)
Mar 21, 2023
$299,450.00
National Defence
Other professional services not elsewhere specified
Mar 21, 2023
$564,954.80
National Defence
Other professional services not elsewhere specified
Mar 28, 2023
$818,210.40
Natural Resources Canada
Computer services (includes IT solutions/deliverables as well as IT managed services)
Mar 28, 2023
$316,965.00
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Information technology and telecommunications consultants
Mar 28, 2023
$316,965.00
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Information technology and telecommunications consultants
Mar 29, 2023
$389,624.00
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
License/Maintenance fees for Client Software
Mar 29, 2023
$77,924.80
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
License/Maintenance fees for Client Software
Mar 30, 2023
$1,739,631.00
Shared Services Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
This monthly lobbying report follows Amazon’s lobbying activities through the month of February 2023. It draws on news articles published during this lobbying period to contextualize Amazon’s lobbying efforts.
The first section traces Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services lobbying activities which were focused on Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, and small businesses. Bill C-11 passed in the Senate with amendments on February 2, 2023. Bill C-11 is aimed at streaming services like Amazon Prime which would become subjected to “Canadian content requirements and regulations comparable to traditional broadcasters.” Bill C-11 would require major streaming platforms to spend millions investing in producing and promoting Canadian content.
Amazon Web Services Canada’s lobbying activities appear to remain focussed on government procurement as they continue to seek government contracts for their cloud services.
Neither Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services nor Amazon Web Services registered lobbying communications reports for the month of January 2023.
Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC: February 2023 Lobbying Summary
Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services did not report any lobbying communications during the months of December 2022 or January 2023. However, in February 2023, the company picked up where it had left off in November 2022, reporting five lobbying communications with various government officials. Three of the five meetings were about “broadcasting”. As noted in a previous monthly update blog post, Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services’ lobbying profile on the Registry of Lobbyist websitedoes not explain specifically what it lobbies about related to broadcasting. However, it is likely that Amazon’s lobbying about broadcasting is related to Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, which passed with several amendments in the Senate on February 2, 2023. Bill C-11 updates Canada’s Broadcasting Act to account for online streaming giants like Amazon which hosts its own streaming service Amazon Prime. As of 2021, Amazon Prime Video has a viewership of 12.2 million in Canada. Bill C-11 requires streaming services like Netflix and Amazon to “contribute to Canadian content and make it accessible to users in Canada — or face steep penalties”.
Although Canadian Heritage Minister, Pablo Rodriguez notes that there has been “been approximately 218 witnesses, 43 meetings, 119 briefs and 73 proposed amendments” about Bill C-11 between the House of Commons and the Senate, Amazon has not had representatives serve as a witnesses in either the House of Commons or Senate to discuss the Bill. Amazon’s involvement with DiMA suggests that Amazon has elected to work behind the scenes compared to other major streaming platforms who are lobbing more actively and publicly against Bill C-11.
Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC: November Lobbying Summary
This monthly lobbying report follows Amazon’s lobbying activity through the months of November and December 2022. This blog post is structured to present Amazon’s November 2022 lobbying communications and activities first, followed by Amazon’s December 2022 lobbying communications and activities. Lastly, this blog post provides an overview of Amazon’s government contracts valued over $10,000 that were signed in the months of November and December 2022.
While Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services’ lobbying profiledoes not explain what it specifically lobbies about related to broadcasting, this lobbying activity is likely related to Bill C-11 as Amazon hosts its own streaming service Amazon Prime. As noted in a previous monthly update,As of 2021, Amazon Prime Video has a viewership of 12.2 million in Canada.
Matthew Gray, Policy Advisor Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Canadian Heritage (PCH) Ron Ahluwalia, Director Of Policy Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Peter Opdam, Senior Policy Advisor Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Intellectual Property
Sumegha Kumar
Amazon Corporate LLC: November Lobbying Summary
Amazon Corporate LLC is a subsidiary of Amazon which filled two lobbying communication reports on the subject matters of “Broadcasting,” and “Arts and Culture” for November 2022. A lobbying consultant for Amazon Corporate LLC met with Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne, and on another occasion with a Policy Advisor at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Fritz-Lionel Adimi, Policy Advisor Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Broadcasting, Arts and Culture
Steve Van Groningen (Consultant)
Amazon Web Services: November Lobbying Summary
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a subsidiary of Amazon that “provides on-demand cloud computing services for individuals, companies and governments on a metred, pay-as-you-go basis”. AWS registered 17 communications reports in the month of November. Seven of these communications were on the topic of “Industry” with Members of Parliament and a Vice Chief of Defence Staff National Defence (DND). Another seven of the communications were about “Science and Technology” with Policy Advisors in various government departments such as Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). Amazon Web Services also met with Members of Parliament to discuss “Privacy and Access to Information”. One communication report states that consultant Steve Van Groningen met a Policy Advisor of the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss “Broadcasting,” and “Arts and Culture.”
Computer services (includes IT solutions/deliverables as well as IT managed services
2022-12-07
$564,954.80
National Defence
Information technology and telecommunications consultants
2022-12-13
$258,600.00
Natural Resources Canada
Information technology and telecommunications consultants
October 2022 Update:Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services
By: Helen Beny, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)
Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services is a subsidiary of Amazon.com, Amazon.com Sales and Amazon Foreign Holdings. In the last month, AFS has lobbied key offices, including the Canadian Heritage, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission (CRTC) and Finance Canada–all regarding “broadcasting”.
As of 2021, Amazon Prime Video has a viewership of 12.2 million in Canada. The increased discussion around Bill C-11 could help explain AFS’ lobbying efforts. Bill C-11 is in the Senate and has passed first reading.
Matthew Gray, Policy Advisor Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Broadcasting
Sumegha Kumar, President
(Office of the Lobbying Commissioner 2022)
Amazon Web Services
In comparison, Amazon Web Services is interested in promoting the digital economy and is meeting with multiple departments regarding Amazon Cloud and cloud-based services. In the past month, Amazon has met with several offices regarding privacy and access to information, science, and technology.
Economic Development, Intellectual Property, Privacy and Access to Information, Research and Development, Science and Technology
Mark Johnson (Consultant)
July and September 2022 Update: Amazon
By: Helen Beny, PhD Candidate (McMaster University)
Based on the data we have gathered from the Commissioner, in the past year, Amazon has logged over 90 registered communications with the Canadian government and many of them this past year are regarding industry and government procurement. Between July 16 and July 22, 2022, Amazon Web Services, under AWS Canada head Eric Gales, has lobbied the Canada School of Public Service; Immigration (President Taki Sarantakis; topic: economic development). The school offers a “Digital Academy” to teach public servants about a range of topics, including cloud computing and cybersecurity.
AWS also lobbied Refugees and Citizenship Canada (Kyle Nicholson, Director of Policy; topic: immigration), and the Treasury Board (Shirley Ivan, Senior ADM; topic: infrastructure). The Treasury Board is responsible for policies that apply across the federal government, including those related to cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Amazon Web Services Lobbying Summary (July – September 2022)
Taki Sarantakis, President Canada School of Public Service (CSPS)
Economic Development
Eric Gales
(Office of the Commissioner 2022)
Amazon Fulfillment Services (AFS) a subsidiary of Amazon, under Sumegha Kumar (President), lobbied the Members of Parliament Francis Drouin and Marie-France Lalonde on the topic of “employment and training.” AFS has built Amazon warehouses around the country, creating jobs and a physical presence for the company in Canada. They also lobbied Finance Canada (Tyler Meredith, Director of Economic Strategy and Planning: topic: taxation and finance). Amazon has become Canada’s largest online retailer and has found a way to limit the taxation of their profits by using their subsidiary AFS.
Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services Lobbying Summary (July – September 2022)
Samir Kassam, Senior Policy Advisor | Office of the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Tyler Meredith, Director of Economic Strategy and Planning Finance Canada (FIN)
Taxation and Finance
Sumegha Kumar
(Office of the Commissioner 2022)
In August, under Amazon Corporate LLC, Mark Johnson lobbied Member of Parliament (Brad Redekopp; topic: employment and training, immigration, economic development, small business, and consumer issues). Last year, Amazon Canada announced their commitment to hire 15,000 full-time and part-time employees across Canada and the company’s expansion could help explain their immigration, economic development, and employment lobbying efforts.
Amazon Corporate LLC Lobbying Summary (July – September 2022)
Microsoft recorded five communications reports surrounding the subject matters of government procurement, industry, and privacy and access to information.
Mary-Rose Brown, Director of PolicyPublic Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) Elisabeth d’Amours, Director of OperationsPublic Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)
Government Procurement
Chris Barry
2023-10-19
Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy MinisterInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Industry
Chris Barry
2023-10-26
Jaxson Khan, Senior Policy AdvisorInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Industry
Chris Barry
2023-10-27
Brian MacKay, Director Policy & Stakeholder EngagementCanadian Heritage (PCH)
In the month of September Microsoft recorded 10 communications reports with Industry, Science and Technology, Privacy and Access to Information, Government Procurement, National Security/Security, Defence.
Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH)Brian MacKay, Director of Policy and Stakeholder Relations | Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Industry
Chris Barry
2023-09-12
Nick Kang, Senior Policy AdvisorPrime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Science and technology
Chris Barry
2023-09-13
Surdas Mohit, Director | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)Samir Chhabra,Director General | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Privacy and Access to Information
Chris Barry
2023-09-13
Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Privacy and Access to Information
Chris Barry
2023-09-14
Sami Khoury,Head, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security | Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC
National Security/Security
Chris Barry
2023-09-15
Amy Awad,Director General | Canadian Heritage (PCH)Owen Ripley,Associate Assistant Deputy Minister | Canadian Heritage (PCH)Pierre-Marc Lauzon,Director | Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Industry
Chris Barry
2023-09-20
Jaxson Khan, Senior Policy AdvisorInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Privacy/Access to Informtation
Chris Barry
2023-09-21
Scott Jones, President | Shared Services Canada (SSC)Kevin McHarg, Policy Advisor | Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister | Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)Olivier Pilon, Press Secretary | Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)
Government Procurement
Chris Barry
2023-09-22
Mark Schaan, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)Samir Chhabra, Director General | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)Jaxson Khan,Senior Policy Advisor | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
In August Microsoft recorded two communications with the Registry of Lobbyists on the topics of “Industry”, “Privacy and Access to Information”, “Science and Technology”, “Defence”, “Government Procurement”, and “National Security/Security”.
Microsoft has also increasingly been expanding their acquisitions and services into Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence, which would explain some of the communications reports, and could be lobbying the Canadian government on regulations and potential use cases for internal operations according to their newly developed aspirations.
This blog post presents Microsoft Canada’s lobbying activities during March and April 2023 using monthly communication reports found on the registry of lobbyist website. This post also includes all government contracts valued over $10,000 during the month of March, 2023. Data for contracts signed during the month of April is not yet available. Data on contracts are updated quarterly. March 2023, Microsoft Canada logged only two lobbying communication reports. One on the subject matter of “industry” the other on “privacy and access to information”. In April 2023, Microsoft registered 10 communication reports, seven of which were about privacy and access to information.
It is possible that Microsoft’s lobbying communications with various government departments were about the integration of Copilot into applications that millions of Canadian uses daily. Certainly, Copilot straddles issues related to artificial intelligence and data privacy that may be in the purview of Bill C-27. Furthermore, Copilot was created through a partnership with OpenAI, which is currently under investigation by the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner of Canada. That said, it is also possible the lobbying communications were about other topics.
The following tables provide a visual of Microsoft’s lobbying communications through March and April 2023.
Microsoft Canada Corporation: March 2023 Lobbying Summary
Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Privacy and Access to Information
Chris Barry
Microsoft Government Contracts Signed through March
In March 2023, Microsoft signed 39 government contracts valued over $10,000 with 22 different government departments. So far, in 2023, Microsoft has signed 100 contracts valued over $10,000. The value of all contracts signed by Microsoft in March alone is $24,191,614.78. A list of the government contracts signed by Microsoft in April 2023 will be released at the end of quarter 2.
Date Signed
Value
Government Department
Work Description
Mar 1, 2023
$163,523.43
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Computer equipment related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) – Desktop/personal/portable (includes all related parts and peripherals)
Mar 1, 2023
$36,276.39
Privy Council Office
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 1, 2023
$252,975.36
Global Affairs Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 2, 2023
$197,750.00
Public Safety Canada
Information technology and telecommunications consultants
Mar 3, 2023
Original Value: $791,759.36 Amendment Value: $1,039,093.76 Total Value: $1,830,853.12
Shared Services Canada
Professional Services-Information technology, business and/or telecommunications
Mar 4, 2023
$11,300.00
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
Information technology and telecommunications consultants
Mar 4, 2023
$11,300.00
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Information technology and telecommunications consultants
Mar 6, 2023
$398,192.56
Infrastructure Canada
Computer Equipment – Desktop/Personal/Portable
Mar 7, 2023
$186,823.98
Public Health Agency of Canada
Client Software
Mar 7, 2023
$26,747.73
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Client software related to Distributed Computing
Mar 8, 2023
$3,312,438.00
National Defence
License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
Mar 13, 2023
$24,468.29
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 14, 2023
$126,400.84
Public Prosecution Service of Canada
ACQ. COMPUTER EQUIPMENT-CLIENT COMPUTING DOMAIN
Mar 14, 2023
$13,089.60
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Application Software – Development & Delivery
Mar 15, 2023
$1,695,776.30
Employment and Social Development Canada
License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
Mar 16, 2023
$445,491.20
Global Affairs Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 16, 2023
$678,000.00
Global Affairs Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 16, 2023
$35,750.94
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 20, 2023
Original Value: $45,200.00 Amendment Value: $1,779,350.61 Total Value: $3,737,132.52
Shared Services Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 21, 2023
$273,927.15
Public Safety Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 22, 2023
$1,730,467.20
Employment and Social Development Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 22, 2023
$570,552.16
Indigenous Services Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software
Mar 23, 2023
$56,591.97
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 27, 2023
$16,950.00
Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 27, 2023
$35,067.38
Indigenous Services Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software
Mar 29, 2023
$80,066.15
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
License/Maintenance fees for application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
Mar 29, 2023
$203,002.06
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software rel
Mar 29, 2023
$73,494.69
Canadian Heritage
Information Technology Managed Services
Mar 30, 2023
Original Value: $28,250.00 Amendment Value: $3,307,772.16 Total Value: $6,166,355.76
Shared Services Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 30, 2023
$37,281.13
Parks Canada
Information Technology Managed Services
Mar 31, 2023
$143,450.61
Veterans Affairs Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 31, 2023
Original Value: $224,879.90 Amendment Value: $18,204.35 Total Value: $243,084.25
Shared Services Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 31, 2023
Original Value: $92,291.94 Amendment Value: $50,417.77 Total Value: $137,774.34
Shared Services Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
Mar 31, 2023
$231,915.48
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
Mar 31, 2023
$127,105.83
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
This brief blog post traces Microsoft’s lobbying activity in February 2023. Microsoft submitted only one communication report to the Registry of Lobbyist in February 2023. This blog post follows up on Microsoft’s earlier lobbying communication reports from November and December 2022 and uses news articles to contextualize Microsoft’s current lobbying goals. This blog post also reports government contracts valued over $10,000 that Microsoft signed form January through February.
This blog posts traces Microsoft’s lobbying activities in November and December 2022 by tracking communications reports registered by Microsoft on the Registry of Lobbyist website. This blog post presents Microsoft’s November 2022 lobbying communication reports and also presents the contracts Microsoft signed with the government valued over $10,000 for the month. Next, this blog post presents Microsoft’s December 2022 lobbying activities and communication reports and government contracts signed. Overall, this post shows that Microsoft’s lobbying activities for the combined months of November and December 2022 were about the environment and privacy concerns related to Bill C-27 (the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022).
Microsoft Canada Inc.: November Lobbying Summary
Microsoft Canada President Chris Barry has registered six communications from November through December. Five of these communications were on the topic of “Privacy and Access to Information” and one was about the “Environment.”
Jaxson Khan, Policy Advisor Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Ian Foucher, Chief of Staff Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Privacy and Access to Information
Chris Barry
Microsoft’sGovernment Contracts Signed During November and December 2022
In November 2022, Microsoft signed 21 government contracts over $10,000. In addition to the lobbying communications chart, the chart below displays all contracts valued over $10,000 signed in the month of November, 2022.
Date of Contract
Value
Organization
Work Description
2022-01-22
$2,208,942.08
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-01-22
$535,733.00
National Defence
Information technology and telecommunications consultants
2022-01-22
$960,093.10
Global Affairs Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software relat
2022-02-22
$20,950.20
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-02-22
$20,950.20
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
Application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-02-22
$276,087.17
Employment and Social Development Canada
License/Maintenance fees for operating system and utility software related to servers, storage, peripherals and components
2022-02-22
$82,414.08
Employment and Social Development Canada
License/Maintenance fees for operating system and utility software related to servers, storage, peripherals and components
2022-04-22
$2,872,130.69
Employment and Social Development Canada
Rental of computer equipment related to production and operations (P&O) environment – All servers, storage, printers, etc. (includes all related parts and peripherals)
2022-07-22
$344,188.05
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-07-22
$31,157.75
National Research Council Canada
Computer equipment related to Production and Operations (P&O) environment – All servers, storage, printers, etc. (includes all related parts and peripherals)
2022-09-22
$200,135.97
Indigenous Services Canada
Computer services
2022-09-22
$17,025.64
Indigenous Services Canada
Computer services
2022-09-22
$50,176.00
Canada Energy Regulator
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-16-22
$16,388.41
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-16-22
$16,388.41
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
Client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-16-22
$540,140.00
National Defence
Other professional services not elsewhere specified
2022-21-22
$34,127.83
Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada
License/Maintenance fees for client software related to Distributed Computing Environment (DCE)
2022-22-22
$47,161.68
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-22-22
$47,161.68
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
Application software (including COTS) and application development and delivery software
2022-24-22
$24,385.99
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
Information technology and telecommunications consultants
2022-30-22
$10,819.75
Transport Canada
Networking Software
Microsoft Canada Inc.: December Lobbying Summaryand Government Contracts Signed
Jaxson Khan, Policy Advisor Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
Privacy and Access to Information
Chris Barry
October 2022 Update: Microsoft Canada Inc.
By: Helen Beny, Ph.D Candidate (McMaster University)
Microsoft Canada’s President Chris Barry has registered nine communications over the past month to discuss “privacy and access to information, government procurement, industry, and national security”. Microsoft is not in the news, but they are focused on cybersecurity policy and policies around internet safety. This month they participated in the Government of Canada’s Get Cyber Safe Initiativeto provide lessons on how to fight phishing.
Microsoft Canada Inc. Lobbying Summary for October 2022
Scott Jones, Executive Vice President Shared Services Canada (SSC) Catherine Luelo, Chief Information Officer of Canada Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) Sony Perron, President Shared Services Canada (SSC)
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.”
This brief blog post traces Microsoft’s lobbying activity in February 2023. Microsoft submitted only one communication report to the Registry of Lobbyist in February 2023. This blog post follows up on Microsoft’s earlier lobbying communication reports from November and December 2022 and uses news articles to contextualize Microsoft’s current lobbying goals. This blog post also reports government contracts valued over $10,000 that Microsoft signed form January through February.
This monthly lobbying report follows Amazon’s lobbying activities through the month of February 2023. It draws on news articles published during this lobbying period to contextualize Amazon’s lobbying efforts.
The first section traces Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services lobbying activities which were focused on Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, and small businesses. Bill C-11 passed in the Senate with amendments on February 2, 2023. Bill C-11 is aimed at streaming services like Amazon Prime which would become subjected to “Canadian content requirements and regulations comparable to traditional broadcasters.” Bill C-11 would require major streaming platforms to spend millions investing in producing and promoting Canadian content.
Amazon Web Services Canada’s lobbying activities appear to remain focussed on government procurement as they continue to seek government contracts for their cloud services.
Neither Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services nor Amazon Web Services registered lobbying communications reports for the month of January 2023.
Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services, ULC: February 2023 Lobbying Summary
Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services did not report any lobbying communications during the months of December 2022 or January 2023. However, in February 2023, the company picked up where it had left off in November 2022, reporting five lobbying communications with various government officials. Three of the five meetings were about “broadcasting”. As noted in a previous monthly update blog post, Amazon Canada Fulfillment Services’ lobbying profile on the Registry of Lobbyist websitedoes not explain specifically what it lobbies about related to broadcasting. However, it is likely that Amazon’s lobbying about broadcasting is related to Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, which passed with several amendments in the Senate on February 2, 2023. Bill C-11 updates Canada’s Broadcasting Act to account for online streaming giants like Amazon which hosts its own streaming service Amazon Prime. As of 2021, Amazon Prime Video has a viewership of 12.2 million in Canada. Bill C-11 requires streaming services like Netflix and Amazon to “contribute to Canadian content and make it accessible to users in Canada — or face steep penalties”.
Although Canadian Heritage Minister, Pablo Rodriguez notes that there has been “been approximately 218 witnesses, 43 meetings, 119 briefs and 73 proposed amendments” about Bill C-11 between the House of Commons and the Senate, Amazon has not had representatives serve as a witnesses in either the House of Commons or Senate to discuss the Bill. Amazon’s involvement with DiMA suggests that Amazon has elected to work behind the scenes compared to other major streaming platforms who are lobbing more actively and publicly against Bill C-11.
Lionel Fritz Adimi, Policy Advisor, Policy and Cabinet Affairs Prime Minister’s Office (PMO)
Broadcasting, Media
Sabrina Geremia
Google Canada Corporation: February 2023 Lobbying Summary
Google ramped up its lobbying communications in February 2023. In February, Google held eleven meetings with various members of Canadian Government. Ten of these meetings were on the topics of “Broadcasting and Intellectual Property”. Undoubtedly, much of Google’s lobbying efforts remain focussed on Bill C-18 which is now under review in the Senate. Since publishing a blog post titled “It’s Time to Fix Bill C-18″ in November, 2022, Google has communicated several concerns with Bill C-18. Google worries the bill would lead to a link tax, forcing them to pay news organizations for links to articles regardless of their quality. Additionally, Google fears that the bill would subsidize “non-authoritative or biased news sources”. Google also worries that further amendments to Bill C-18 would mean that the company would have to extend payments to more types of media organizations like community radio stations.
