Former prime minister Brian Mulroney talked to the current Conservative government on behalf of a company that could benefit from Ottawa's decision to open up the wireless industry to more competition, CBC News has learned.

Mulroney played an active role in bringing together former industry minister Maxime Bernier and Pierre Karl Peladeau, CEO of Quebecor Media, CBC News has learned. Mulroney is on the board of directors for Quebecor Media.

Sources say earlier this year, Mulroney asked Bernier to meet with Peladeau. The request was made during a conversation on a range of topics.

During their chat, Mulroney reminded Bernier of Quebecor's strong belief that the government should allow new players into the telecom sector, something sources say Bernier was opposed to.

Mulroney did not argue those finer points of the case with Bernier. He asked only that Bernier meet with Peladeau.

Sources say they eventually met. In fact, the minister met with representatives of all the telecom companies.

In the end, Bernier didn't make the decision on telecoms because he was shuffled to foreign affairs.

On Wednesday, the Conservative government paved the way for new cellphone companies by announcing new rules for an auction of radio airwaves designed to spur competition in the wireless industry. Analysts expect Quebecor will be one of the companies to enter the auction.

The meeting between Bernier and Peladeau took place before Harper ordered members of his government to cease having dealings with Mulroney. Harper issued that order after he said his government would consider a public inquiry into the allegations made by Karlheinz Schreiber against Mulroney.

Under the Lobbyists Registration Act, Mulroney would be entitled to lobby elected officials in his role on the board of directors, provided he register as required.

But in the opinion of the registrar, he would be required to register for simply arranging a meeting between a minister and a CEO.

The registrar wrote about members of boards and their dealings with elected officials in an advisory issued in 2005, saying:

"Registration would be required for…arranging a meeting."

But Mulroney is not a registered lobbyist.

The Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists said it will review the matter to determine if an investigation should take place.

Duff Conacher of the public ethics advocacy group Democracy Watch said that unregistered lobbying is a slippery slope.

"Secret lobbying is a recipe for corruption, waste and abuse of the public interest," Conacher said.

"The registrar should be investigating in terms of violation of the lobbyists code of conduct."