CN’s business can be significantly impacted by government actions, decisions, and regulations. The Company works continuously to build and maintain positive and constructive relationships with government officials at all levels. This allows CN to continue to earn trust and respect in the public sector, obtain government support for its activities and initiatives, and to contribute to and collaborate with the communities where the Company operates.

Additionally, CN, through the Railway Association of Canada, works alongside government to ensure the rail sector continues to be safe, competitive, and sustainable.

CN maintains registrations for in-house lobbyists where required by law. Our lobbying activities are registered in various jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S., many of which provide public disclosure with details of registrations. Links to each of the public lobbyist registrations, where available, can be found below (see website links).

 Ontario

 Saskatchewan

 Quebec

 Alberta - Search for Canadian National Railway

 Unites-States - Under Public Disclosure, search for Canadian National Railway

In addition, our consultant lobbyists in all jurisdictions are expected to comply with all applicable laws.

To access the CN Federal Lobbying registry, follow this link.

CN is a member of various trade associations and policy organizations. Our primary purpose for involvement in trade associations is for general business reasons and discussion of technical and industry standards. Trade associations also provide opportunities for our employees to engage in professional development and networking. Our primary purpose for involvement in policy organizations is to support economic growth. While trade association and policy organizations may use membership fees for lobbying purposes, CN does not direct how membership fees are used and payment of membership fees does not necessarily reflect significant involvement with the trade association or policy organization from a policy perspective. Our participation in a specific trade association or policy organization does not signify comprehensive support for all positions undertaken by the associations. CN’s approval process for membership in these organizations requires vice-president-level approval.

CN’s process to approve membership in these organizations is comprehensive and involves consideration of the following:

• the objectives of the association;
• the benefits provided to CN;
• the cost of the membership;
• whether the membership aligns with CN’s strategic focus; and
• whether there are other alternatives to membership that would provide the same benefits.

Membership approval requires vice-president-level support. The Stakeholder Relations department maintains a roster of these groups and plays a role in managing our memberships.

The most significant corporate memberships that CN maintains from a policy perspective are the following:

• Association of American Railroads (AAR): The AAR serves as the voice of the freight rail industry in the United States. They advocate for a supportive regulatory and legislative climate, burnish the industry’s image through communications, and set regulatory standards. They also provide a range of shared back-office IT services and run the nation’s largest railroad technical research program.
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce: The voice of the Canadian business, the Chamber advocates for public policies that support job creation and economic growth.
• The Canadian American Business Council (CABC): The voice of business in the world’s most prosperous relationship. The Council is a non-profit, non-partisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to elevating the private sector perspective on issues that affect Canada and the United States.
• Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications (FETCO): An employers’ association comprised of federally regulated firms within the transportation and communications sectors.
• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): NAM represents the unique policy positions and interests of American manufacturing and those industries that support it, like transportation. Along with the Chamber, NAM is recognized by Congress and the Administration as one of the top three business advocacy groups in Washington.
• Railway Association of Canada (RAC): As the voice the freight railroads, large and small, in Canada, the RAC advocates for our interest before federal and provincial governments and works closely with their counterparts at the AAR on a wide range of matters.
• Business Council of Canada (BCC): Drawing on the experiences and expertise of their members, the BCC provides unique insights, data-driven policy recommendations and in-depth analysis across a broad range of economic and social issues.

The following is a list of industry associations and policy organizations in Canada and the United States, whose primary role is to write or endorse model legislature or advocate for policy change that received more than $50,000 from us during 2023.

• Association of American Railroads
• Michigan Railroads Association
• National Association of Manufacturers
• Illinois Railroad Association
• Canadian Chamber of Commerce
• Railway Association of Canada
• Canadian American Business Council