Canada

Even as federal Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre was publicly denouncing lobbyists, he and his staff were being lobbied dozens of times by oil and gas interests, according to an analysis by The Narwhal.

For the 12-month period that ended June 2024, the Narwhal found 46 records on the federal lobbying commissioner’s online registry that showed either Poilievre or staff in his offices communicating with oil and gas interests. One company confirmed that in April, Poilievre’s staff participated in a Hill Day, a type of Parliament Hill lobbying event their boss criticized just days later. Another told The Narwhal Poilievre’s office proactively reached out to set up what would become a lobbying session.

Notably, Poilievre’s anti-lobbying sentiment hasn’t stopped the former Harper government minister from communicating with lobbyists dozens of times over the last year, as well as allowing federal lobbyists to pay to attend his fundraisers in tony neighbourhoods and clubs.

The Narwhal’s review of federal lobbying records shows staff members in Poilievre’s parliamentary office have communicated with a parade of lobbyists, including those representing oil and gas interests. So have staff in another office that falls under Poilievre’s oversight and operates closely with his own, called the Conservative Research Bureau.