LobbyComply Blog

In the upcoming months, Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing a code of conduct for members of city councils and of local boards, including Toronto. On June 2, Bill 9, a bill to change the ethics framework of the province’s city councils, received royal assent and became law. The law now provides the Lieutenant Governor in Council with the authority to make regulations setting a code of conduct for members of the province’s municipal councils and boards. The Act also requires the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario to perform certain functions with respect to a city’s Integrity Commissioner, including providing education and training to the local Commissioner. Additionally, Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner may conduct inquiries, refer matters back to the local commissioner, and recommend that a member’s seat be declared vacant and require a city council to vote on such recommendation.

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The campaign contribution limits for candidates in the U.S. Virgin Islands have been adjusted pursuant to the passage of Senate Bill 236. The amount that may be contributed to candidates by individuals, committees, corporations, and labor unions has increased from $1,000 to $3,500 per election. The contribution limit to a multicandidate political committee has increased from $1,000 to $3,500 per candidate per election. The updates took effect upon approval by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. on June 9.

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A bill to change the ethics framework of the province’s city councils advanced through the legislature. On May 26, Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, 2025, was carried on a vote for its third reading. The law would provide  that the Lieutenant Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing a code of conduct for members of city councils and of local boards, including Toronto, which is currently controlled by the City of Toronto Act, 2006. The Act requires the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario to perform certain functions with respect to a city’s Integrity Commissioner, including providing education and training to the local Commissioner. Additionally, Ontario’s Integrity Commissioner may conduct inquiries, refer matters back to the local commissioner, and recommend that a member’s seat be declared vacant and require a city council to vote on such recommendation.

Want to keep up with lobbying, procurement, and corporate contribution compliance internationally? We have you covered. Learn more here. 

Before adjourning the 94th Legislature last week, lawmakers passed an omnibus bill amending campaign finance and lobbying reporting. House File 4239 modifies requirements for disclaimers on campaign advertisements. The bill removes the requirement of including the official’s address when reporting a gift and instead requires the lobbyist to include the official’s name, title, the government jurisdiction, and the date of the gift. The bill eliminates the requirement to report certain costs associated grassroots lobbying but requires a disclaimer on grassroots lobbying material, identifying the individual or association responsible for the content and allows for a penalty of $3,000 if the disclaimer is not included. Gov. Walz signed the bill on May 18, making the lobbying changes effective immediately.

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