On June 4, members of the Lobbyists Registrars and Commissioners Network announced support of lobbying reforms called for by the Commissioner of Lobbying of Quebec. The reforms, prepared by Commissioner of Lobbying of Quebec, Jean-François Routhier in a 99-page report, […]
On June 4, members of the Lobbyists Registrars and Commissioners Network announced support of lobbying reforms called for by the Commissioner of Lobbying of Quebec. The reforms, prepared by Commissioner of Lobbying of Quebec, Jean-François Routhier in a 99-page report, proposes what Routhier calls the five main pillars for reform. These pillars emphasize refocusing the scope of the law towards the citizens’ right of transparency; making information available to the public more rapidly; holding accountable organizations that initiate and benefit from lobbying efforts; engaging public institutions in transparency through prevention, training, reporting, and post-mandate rules; and better equipping the commissioner with administrative sanctions, education, and continuous development of the regime. Signatory members to the supporting announcement include officials overseeing lobbying regiments in Canada, the provinces in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, and the cities of Ottawa and Toronto.
Want to keep up with lobbying, procurement, and corporate contribution compliance internationally? We have you covered. Learn more here.
New Brunswick, Canada may soon be overhauling its provincial lobbying law. On May 12, legislation was introduced into parliament to amend the current Lobbyists’ Registration Act. Bill No. 44 would mandate monthly reporting and additional disclosures not currently required, including […]
New Brunswick, Canada may soon be overhauling its provincial lobbying law. On May 12, legislation was introduced into parliament to amend the current Lobbyists’ Registration Act. Bill No. 44 would mandate monthly reporting and additional disclosures not currently required, including with whom a lobbyist met, when they met, and where they met. The Office of the Integrity Commissioner would have the authority to investigate violations and to impose financial penalties. The commissioner would also create a code of conduct for lobbyists. The code, with which lobbyists must comply, will detail the expected ethical standards, behaviors, and responsibilities of lobbyists.
Want to keep up with lobbying, procurement, and corporate contribution compliance internationally? We have you covered. Learn more here.
On March 9, the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada, Nancy Bélanger, presented recommendations to lawmakers concerning the country’s lobbying laws and regulations. Bélanger appeared before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) of the Canadian House […]
On March 9, the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada, Nancy Bélanger, presented recommendations to lawmakers concerning the country’s lobbying laws and regulations. Bélanger appeared before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) of the Canadian House of Commons. Among Bélanger’s recommendations are clarification of who qualifies as in-house lobbyists; disclosure of all employees who lobby for their employer; disclosure of all funding provided to support lobbying activities; and disclosure of all entities that control and have a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying. On February 12, the Canadian House of Commons had ordered ETHI to review the nation’s lobbying law. The law itself requires a comprehensive review of the provisions and operations of the law to be taken every five years. Within a year after the committee’s review is undertaken, the ETHI must submit a report on the review to parliament that includes a statement of any changes to the Lobbying Act or its operation that the committee recommends.
Want to keep up with lobbying, procurement, and corporate contribution compliance internationally? We have you covered. Learn more here.
August 2, 2023 •
O Canada!
If you are hanging around our website and digital media posts, you will see we are celebrating our 30th anniversary. This has certainly given us the opportunity to see how long we have been doing various things. Our marketing team […]
If you are hanging around our website and digital media posts, you will see we are celebrating our 30th anniversary. This has certainly given us the opportunity to see how long we have been doing various things.
Our marketing team is starting a campaign to emphasize the work we do in Canada with our International Guide. More and more of our consulting clients are asking for assistance with Canadian compliance and I can see why after reviewing the entries.
The first thing I learned is we have covered Canada for 15 years, which is also hard to believe. We started with Canadian Federal compliance (like the US Federal compliance) then included all the provinces, followed by the territories.
If you think maneuvering Canada is easy…think again. In Toronto, a very popular territory, registrants must update their registrations within three (3) business days from the date of a communication with a public office holder about a registered subject matter. That will keep you on your toes!
Interested in learning more about our International Guidebook, give Joe Wasser a call at 202-465-3276, or email at jwasser@stateandfed.com. He will also be in our booth at NCSL.
We have a busy August with NCSL in Indianapolis, Indiana where we will be in Exhibit Booth 529 and CSG East in Toronto. Plus, if you are looking for a session on Ethics at NCSL, I am joining colleagues in the industry on a session Wednesday, August 16th, at 1:45 pm, Ethics Dos and Don’ts, ICC, Level 2, Sagamore Ballroom. Easy to remember because we are the warmup for NFL great Peyton Manning! See you there.
State and Federal Communications, Inc. provides research and consulting services for government relations professionals on lobbying laws, procurement lobbying laws, political contribution laws in the United States and Canada. Learn more by visiting stateandfed.com.
