From government insider to Loblaw lobbyist: how the food giant tries to sway politicians

It’s not just Jenni Byrne. The company packs its ranks with connected insiders from all political parties

Carly Penrose
Carly is a Toronto-based journalist. She holds a master of journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University. Her work has appeared in the National Post, This Magazine and The Canadian Press.
More posts by Carly Penrose.

Carly Penrose

16 February, 2024 • 5 min read

A man leaves a Loblaws store in Toronto. Loblaw Companies Limited and its subsidiaries like Shoppers Drug Mart and QR Technologies, regularly hires former government workers to lobby on their behalf at the federal levels and in Ontario and B.C. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette)

As federal Liberals and Conservatives fight to distance themselves from Canada’s biggest grocer, a new IJF analysis has found Loblaw packs its lobbying ranks with people who know first-hand the inner workings of government.

Nearly 60 per cent of the people Loblaw companies have hired to lobby federally, in Ontario and in B.C. since 2006 previously worked for Conservative, Liberal or NDP administrations.

From government insider to Loblaw lobbyist: how the food giant tries to sway politicians

Carly Penrose

Carly Penrose

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