On December 13, a bill was entered in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick prohibiting sitting lawmakers from engaging in lobbying in New Brunswick or elsewhere during and for 12 months after their tenure in office.

Additionally, after a member is first sworn in, the member would be prohibited from being employed in or entering into a personal service contract with a business or organization engaging in lobbying in New Brunswick or elsewhere. The prohibition to lobbying for the 12 months after leaving office applies to “lobbying in New Brunswick or elsewhere in relation to a matter having a real and substantial connection to New Brunswick.”

Bill 38, An Act to Amend the Members’ Conflict of Interest Act, also creates a detailed definition of lobbying, which includes communications with public office holders in attempts to influence legislative proposals, public bills, grants, and other matters, arranging meetings between public office holders of any jurisdiction and another person, and communicating with public office holders in an attempt to influence the awarding of government contracts.