When Canadians debate internet prices, privacy laws, or online safety, few realize that lobbyists and think tanks are often the ones who wrote the first drafts. These actors may not sit in Parliament, but their influence is woven into the fabric of digital policy.
What They Do
Lobbyists: Paid professionals who advocate on behalf of corporations, unions, or advocacy groups to influence government decisions.
Think tanks: Policy research organizations that publish studies, host events, and frame issues in ways that shape public and political debate.
Shadow influence: White papers, closed-door meetings, and “expert testimony” often set the tone before citizens even hear about a policy.
Canadian Context
Telecom lobbying: Canada’s “big three” telecom companies spend millions annually lobbying the CRTC and federal government.
Privacy and AI debates: Think tanks tied to industry interests often push for “light-touch regulation” to avoid corporate burdens.
Nonprofit and public-interest groups: Not all lobbying is corporate — groups like OpenMedia also lobby for digital rights and affordable access.
Revolving doors: Former politicians and regulators often resurface as lobbyists, bringing insider connections.
The Challenges
Transparency gaps: Lobbyist registries exist but are hard for the public to track meaningfully.
Unequal access: Well-funded actors dominate attention, while grassroots voices struggle to be heard.
Credibility bias: Media often cites think tanks as “neutral experts,” even when they’re ideologically or financially tied.
Public fatigue: Citizens tune out when policy debates feel captured by special interests.
The Opportunities
Lobbying transparency: Stronger disclosure rules can shine light on who influences digital policy.
Counterweights: Citizen groups, unions, and nonprofits can act as balance to corporate dominance.
Public education: Demystifying the role of think tanks helps citizens read their reports critically.
Open consultations: Ensuring ordinary Canadians are invited in alongside lobbyists.
The Bigger Picture
Lobbyists and think tanks aren’t inherently bad — some fight for equity, inclusion, and affordable access. The problem arises when their influence replaces public participation. A democratic digital future requires both expertise and lived experience at the table.
The Question
Do you think Canada should go further in regulating lobbying and requiring funding transparency for think tanks, or is influence just a natural part of how policy gets made?
Lobbyists and Think Tanks
The Hidden Architects of Digital Policy
When Canadians debate internet prices, privacy laws, or online safety, few realize that lobbyists and think tanks are often the ones who wrote the first drafts. These actors may not sit in Parliament, but their influence is woven into the fabric of digital policy.
What They Do
Canadian Context
The Challenges
The Opportunities
The Bigger Picture
Lobbyists and think tanks aren’t inherently bad — some fight for equity, inclusion, and affordable access. The problem arises when their influence replaces public participation. A democratic digital future requires both expertise and lived experience at the table.
The Question
Do you think Canada should go further in regulating lobbying and requiring funding transparency for think tanks, or is influence just a natural part of how policy gets made?