NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2009AG0013-000536 October 27, 2009

Ministry of Attorney General

 

LOBBYISTS REGISTRATION ACT ENHANCED, MORE ACCOUNTABLE

 

VICTORIA – Amendments to the Lobbyists Registration Act introduced today by Attorney General Michael de Jong, QC, will provide greater public accountability for lobbyists and enhanced powers for the registrar.

 

            Bill 19, the Lobbyists Registration Amendment Bill, strengthens reporting requirements for lobbyists and grants the registrar new investigative and enforcement authority.

 

“The modernization of this legislation puts us among the leaders in this country,” said
de Jong. “The amendments are significant and give British Columbians a more open and transparent lobbying process.”

 

The amendments respond to public concerns and incorporate the views of registrar David Loukidelis. The bill creates one of the strongest regimes for lobbyist registration in the country, and is modelled on Alberta legislation.

 

Under proposed amendments, the registrar’s powers and duties are significantly increased. The registrar will be able to conduct investigations, including having the power to compel testimony and document production. The bill requires the registrar to report the results of investigations to the legislative assembly, as well as provide an annual report.

 

The bill defines two kinds of lobbyists, consultant and in-house, with parallel reporting requirements. The bill also expands reporting requirements — lobbyists will need to report any subcontracted lobbyists and must disclose whether a lobbyist is a former public office holder.

 

Also proposed:

 

·         A clearer definition for an in-house lobbyist: where the number of hours accumulated by an individual lobbying for an organization, or the total lobbying undertaken by their organization, amounts to a minimum of 100 hours annually.

·         A wider definition of lobbying, including lobbying about the privatization of government interests or assets and contracting out of the provision of goods or services to government.

·         A contracting prohibition, by which individuals must not lobby government - to any extent - while they, or people associated with them, are paid advisors to government on the same subject. They must make a choice between the two roles.

 

 

 

“Within a vibrant democracy, lobbying is a valid, important activity,” said de Jong. “It is essential that government be accessible, so people’s views are conveyed to their decision-making representatives. However, and equally important, is transparency and accountability among those whose livelihood is made from advocacy.”

 

The registrar will be upgrading the online lobbyists registry, which when the bill is passed, will be consistent with the amendments.

 

-30-

 

A backgrounder follows.

 

 

Contact:

Dave Townsend Senior Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Attorney General 250 387-4962 250 889-5945 (cell)

 

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.

 

 

BACKGROUNDER

 

October 27, 2009                                                                               Ministry of Attorney General

 

LOBBYISTS REGISTRATION ACT AMENDMENTS

 

·         The British Columbia lobbyists registry was established in October 2002, under legislation modelled on Ontario’s and former federal legislation. Since then, other provinces have enacted similar legislation. Amendments to federal legislation were brought into force in July 2008. The amendments introduced today are modelled on legislation in Alberta, which is passed but not yet in force.

·         The office of the lobbyists registrar contributed experience and expertise in developing the amendments.

·         Key amendments include:

-        Introduces administrative penalties of up to $25,000 that can be levied by the registrar for contravening the act or regulations.

-        Increases the maximum fine for a subsequent offence to $100,000 (up from $25,000).

-        The registrar can prohibit a person from lobbying for a period up to two years if convicted of an offence under the act.

-        A contracting prohibition is added by which no person can enter an undertaking to lobby on behalf of a client while being paid under contract to advise the government on the same subject matter.

-        Consultant lobbyists will be required to name each individual they engage to lobby on behalf of a client.

-        Lobbyists must disclose whether they are a former public office holder.

 

-30-

 

Contact:

Dave Townsend Senior Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Attorney General 250 387-4962 250 889-5945 (cell)

 

For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.