One day before the federal government named German company thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) as one of two finalists for a multi-billion dollar submarine contract, a lobbyist for the company reported communicating with federal defence and northern affairs officials. 

Andrew Bernardo, who was hired to lead lobby firm PAA Advisory’s defence and security practice in June, reported communications with senior federal officials with the Department of National Defence (DND) and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada on Aug. 25.