cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/54339378
https://theijf.org/brief/spacex-former-liberal-staffer-lobbying
Following a year of public controversy and cancelled contracts, Elon Musk’s SpaceX has hired a former Liberal staffer to handle the company’s communications with the Government of Canada.
Sharan Kaur, principal at public relations firm Navigator Ltd., is now a consultant for SpaceX, according to a lobbyist registration filed on Jan. 26. Kaur was previously the deputy chief of staff to former finance minister Bill Morneau.
Though she hasn’t held a public office since September 2020, Kaur has continued to work on the campaigns of several federal Liberal election candidates. In the 2025 federal election, Kaur provided “counsel to several high-profile candidates,” and was the campaign manager for Evan Solomon, MP for Toronto Centre and minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
Kaur joined Navigator in June 2025.
SpaceX’s renewed lobbying efforts target 14 government institutions, including the Prime Minister’s Office, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, and Public Safety. Lobbying records show the company intends to meet with officials to discuss “Satellite and ground station policies and regulations in relation to an application for a Foreign Satellite Authorization and broadband service.”
Several provinces have contracts with SpaceX’s satellite network subsidiary Starlink to provide internet access in rural and remote areas. But after U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable tariff threats, and billionaire Musk’s influence within the Trump administration, governments have been increasingly looking to limit their reliance on Starlink.
In March 2025, Ontario announced it was cancelling a $100-million contract with Starlink, with Premier Doug Ford saying at the time, “We won't award contracts to people who enable and encourage economic attacks on our province ... and our country.”
After a report disclosed that SaskPower had paid more than $100,000 to Starlink for internet services, Saskatchewan NDP MLA Erika Ritchie also questioned why the Crown corporation was contracting “allies and supporters of the Trump administration.”
The Quebec government opted not to renew its $130-million contract with Starlink when it expired in June 2025. The government’s initiative gave customers in remote areas a $40-a-month subsidy as well as free Starlink receivers. Though the Quebec government has said it is pursuing a strategy to build “connectivity sovereignty” in the province, it also awarded a new $826,007 contract to Starlink last year for high-speed satellite internet in courthouses in remote regions, citing a lack of alternative providers.
In addition to Kaur and Navigator, lobbying records show SpaceX is also employing consultant Sean Webster, managing director of Chelsea Strategy Group and former deputy chief of staff to Premier Ford.
Communication reports show Webster met with policy advisors from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on behalf of SpaceX in November, as well as the director of policy to Minister of Industry and Economic Development for Quebec Mélanie Joly.