December 9, 2021 •
Court Dismisses Claim Against Office of the Ontario Integrity Commissioner
A lawsuit alleging the Ontario Integrity Commissioner failed to properly penalize offenders of the Lobbyist Registration Act (LRA) was dismissed by a Divisional Court in November. Sometime after March 20, 2022, a hearing for an appeal of this decision filed […]
A lawsuit alleging the Ontario Integrity Commissioner failed to properly penalize offenders of the Lobbyist Registration Act (LRA) was dismissed by a Divisional Court in November.
Sometime after March 20, 2022, a hearing for an appeal of this decision filed by the plaintiffs, Democracy Watch, should be heard.
Nine lobbyists found to violate the LRA were not penalized and did not challenge the rulings. Hence, their identities were never made public. Six of those lobbyists lobbied for over a year before registering. Three other lobbyists were found to have lobbied Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet in violation of a section of the LRA prohibiting the creation of a real or potential conflict of interest through lobbying.
The Divisional Court found insufficient serious legal issues were alleged to create standing to make the judicial application. Additionally, the Court found Democracy Watch’s application for judicial review conflicted with the privacy of the nine lobbyists.
July 1, 2016 •
Ontario, Canada’s Lobbying Law Amendments Take Effect Today
Today Ontario’s Office of the Integrity Commissioner will begin enforcing a new lobbying law for the province. On December 9, 2014, the Legislative Assembly had passed an omnibus bill with changes to the province’s Lobbyists Registration Act, 1998. The law […]
Today Ontario’s Office of the Integrity Commissioner will begin enforcing a new lobbying law for the province.
On December 9, 2014, the Legislative Assembly had passed an omnibus bill with changes to the province’s Lobbyists Registration Act, 1998. The law came into force by proclamation of the lieutenant governor. Schedule 8 of Bill 8, the Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, gives the Ontario Integrity Commissioner as Lobbyist Registrar new investigative and enforcement power for violations. Individuals found in violation can be prohibited from lobbying for up to two years.
Additional changes include a streamlined registration form for certain companies, a lower threshold registration for in-house lobbyists, and new questions on registration forms.
June 12, 2014 •
Toronto Appoints New Integrity Commissioner
On June 11, the Toronto, Canada City Council appointed Valerie L. Jepson as the city’s new integrity commissioner. According to the city’s press release, Jepson was counsel for the Office of the Ontario Integrity Commissioner since 2007. Jepson replaces Janet […]
On June 11, the Toronto, Canada City Council appointed Valerie L. Jepson as the city’s new integrity commissioner. According to the city’s press release, Jepson was counsel for the Office of the Ontario Integrity Commissioner since 2007. Jepson replaces Janet Leiper, the commissioner since 1999.
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