Bundeslobbybeauftragter prüft Vorwürfe gegen einen führenden konservativen Berater

> The federal lobbying commissioner confirmed Tuesday that a “preliminary assessment” has been opened into allegations against top Conservative strategist Jenni Byrne and a federal lobbying firm.

> In March, the Globe and Mail reported the federal lobbying firm — called Forecheck Strategies — is located at the same office as Jenni Byrne + Associates, a provincial lobbying firm.

> In addition to employing many of the same staff as Jenni Byrne + Associates, Forecheck Strategies is owned by Andrew Kimber and Simon Jefferies, who are also part-owners of Jenni Byrne + Associates.

> Although Byrne’s exact role with the Conservative Party is murky — neither she nor the party will confirm how she is involved — she is viewed as one of the most powerful Conservative strategists in Canada.

Funny, pretty sure this looks like Poilievre has been projecting about loblaw’s connections for a while now. Glad they are finally acknowledging there is an investigation, or at least the potential for one.

The plot thickens:

> Shortly after the Globe and Mail released its report, NDP MPs Charlie Angus and Matthew Green sent a letter to Bélanger calling for a probe into Byrne and the relationship between the two firms.

> NDP MPs call for investigation into lobbying firm with ties to top Conservative adviser
“Given Ms. Byrne’s advisory role and close relationship to (Conservative Leader Pierre) Poilievre and the Conservative caucus, Canadians deserve clarity on her lobbying activities,” they wrote in the letter.

> Bélanger told MPs that she would not comment on Byrne and her role, and noted she is not currently registered to lobby the federal government.