Frequently Asked Questions (Lobbyists)

A system of registration in which shall be kept registrations (returns) of persons who lobby public office holders and which shall include such information as determined by the Lobbyist Registrar.

Any communication with a public office holder by an individual who represents a business or financial interest with the goal of trying to influence any legislative action, including, but not exclusively, development, introduction, passage, defeat, amendment or repeal of a bylaw, motion, resolution or the outcome of a decision on any matter before Council or a Committee of Council, or staff member acting under delegated authority.

The Municipal Act provides for registrations of lobbyists, their conditions of registration and their continued or renewed registrations.

Lobbying conducted by interested parties is in many respects a positive contributor to debate and is an important part of the governing process. The lobbying of Members of Council and staff on municipal issues can enhance the deliberative process by providing the perspective of stakeholders that might otherwise be lost. Greater transparency of that process, however, will enhance the public’s perception that decisions are being made in an accountable way.

The definition of communication is that it means any form of expressive contact, including oral, written or electronic communication or any other meaningful dialogue or exchange that materially advances a matter that is defined as lobbying, whether in a formal or in an informal setting.

The following persons are public office holders:

1. A member of Council and any person on his or her staff
2. An employee of the City who is a member of the City’s Corporate Management Team
3. Employees in management positions that can influence programs and services
4. Employees who are not in management positions but have direct contact with members of Council and whose work includes providing advice to Council
   1. including advice on legal, financial, personnel, policy advice
   2. including employees who provide planning, building, licensing, inspection and purchasing services
5. Employees who have direct contact with Council in the operation of Council and Committees
6. Employees who work on municipal elections in a supervising role
7. An accountability officer appointed under the Municipal Act, 2001, including, but not limited to:
   1. Auditor General
   2. Integrity Commissioner
   3. Lobbyist Registrar
   4. Ombudsman
   5. Closed Meeting Investigator

Section 223.11(1) of the Municipal Act permits a municipality to appoint a Lobbyist Registrar; more specifically, it states that a municipality is authorized “to appoint a registrar who is responsible for performing in an independent manner the functions assigned by the municipality with respect to the registry”. Generally, the Lobbyist

Registrar will:

1. Oversee the administration of the lobbyist registration system; and,
2. Provide advice, opinions and interpretations regarding the lobbyist registry

The City Clerk has been appointed the Lobbyist Registrar during the Voluntary Lobbyist Registry period.

Yes. As of Jan. 1, 2018 the Lobbyist Registry is mandatory. Lobbyists are required to register their activities.

The Lobbyist Registry comes into effect Jan. 1, 2018, in accordance with By-law 165-2017 (PDF).