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Report Highlights

Fossil fuel companies and their main industry associations had at least 1,255 meetings with the federal government in 2023. That means Big Oil lobbied Parliament nearly 5 times per working day.

Industry associations were the most active fossil fuel lobbyists in 2023, with the Pathways Alliance registering 104 meetings and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers registering 91.

The federal ministries most frequently targeted by lobbyists were Natural Resources Canada (313 lobby meetings), Environment and Climate Change Canada (253 lobby meetings), and Finance Canada (118 meetings).

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Introduction

Understanding lobbying is crucial because it has shaped Canadian climate politics and continues to influence key climate policies.

The fossil fuel industry has a well-documented history of denying climate change and promoting disinformation to greenwash its brands and products. In addition to these public-facing efforts to dissuade people from being concerned about climate change, the fossil fuel industry uses its resources to access and influence governments through lobbying.

Environmental Defence Canada tracks meetings reported by fossil fuel industry associations and major oil and gas producers on the Federal Registry of Lobbyists. This report analyzes lobbying data from 31 oil and gas companies and industry associations in 2023. It provides details on the companies' frequency of meetings and which federal ministries and government officials the fossil fuel industry targets. The report only includes lobbying activities disclosed in the Federal Registry of Lobbyists.

The oil and gas industry in Canada has a vested interest in persuading governments to not enact regulations, policies or laws which would limit the production of fossil fuels and potentially reduce companies’ profits. Oil and gas lobbyists also lobby for more financial support for the industry. And they have a track record of success: virtually every environmental policy in Canada has been either delayed, weakened, or blocked. In fact, Big Oil is Canada's biggest climate action barrier.

By having the ear of politicians and government staff, the fossil fuel industry has tempered government ambition, shaped what is perceived as ‘politically feasible’ or ‘acceptable action’, and consistently pushed the government to prioritize the oil and gas industry in their decision-making.

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Big Oil’s Big Year: A Summary of Big Oil’s 2023 Federal Lobbying

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Meetings with Natural Resources Canada

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Meetings with Environment and Climate Change Canada

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Meetings with the Ministry of Finance

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Lobby Meetings were conducted by Fossil Fuel Companies and their Industry association with the federal government

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Insights

Oil and gas companies in Canada lobbied the federal government frequently and consistently in 2023. Fossil fuel industry associations are among the most active lobbyists, and in particular, the interests of the Pathways Alliance and its member companies were most represented. The industry’s primary targets are ministries most responsible for climate and environmental regulations, and they have regular access to high-ranking public service staff.

Industry associations were the most active fossil fuel lobbyists in 2023. The Pathways Alliance registered 104 meetings making it the top lobbyist and the only one to surpass one hundred meetings. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers registered 91, the third most active lobbyist of all those we track.

Figure 1 | Number of Meetings Registered by Industry Associations

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Recommendations and Solutions

Given the clear history of the fossil fuel industry using political influence to delay and weaken climate policy, Environmental Defence Canada recommends that Ministers and MPs stop accepting meetings with fossil fuel industry lobbyists and increase transparency around their policy influence.

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Credits

This report was researched and written by Emilia Belliveau, Energy Transition Program Manager, with contributions from Midhat Moini, Communications Manager; Julia Levin, Associate Director, National Climate; and Keith Brooks, Programs Director. Alejandro Ramos Vazquez created the design and illustrations.