This past summer, the Liberal Party threw a glitzy garden reception at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa for major backers who donated at least $800. In attendance were 16 senior cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan and Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault.

Among the guests were two lobbyists for pipeline company Enbridge, which has been heavily lobbying the federal government on a host of climate issues. In fact, within 40 days of the event, Enbridge lobbyists met with government officials from the departments of Employment and Social Development, Finance, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development, the same departments headed by the ministers at the party.