In this issue...

• Common Registration Mistakes
• Lobby Days at Queen's Park
• Compliance Check: Checklists

Lobbyists and senior officers are expected to complete their registrations accurately, but mistakes can happen.

Our series “Common Registration Mistakes” highlights common issues the lobbying team encounters when reviewing new and updated registrations and provides helpful solutions.

❌ Client information is blank, incomplete or not up to date.

What’s required? Consultant lobbyists should provide accurate client information including the client’s business name, address, contact name, contact information and a description of their business or activity.

Client name change? If you are updating the client’s business name on an existing registration, make sure you indicate the new name and, in parentheses, include the former name. If it is a different client, a new registration is required.

Something missing? If the client information section on a registration is incomplete, the registration will be published, and you will hear from Office staff. They will ask you to provide the additional details.

❌ Filing a notice of change and a registration renewal at the same time.

When lobbyists and senior officers file a notice of change and a registration renewal in the same time frame, they can inadvertently duplicate information.

If you are within this window, make the required changes as part of your renewal. If you are not in this window, you must file a notice of change by selecting “Change an existing registration (not a renewal)” from the “I would like to…” menu page.

Remember, changes or new information must be provided within 30 calendar days.

For more information, check out the Office’s videos on how to Renew a Registration or File a Notice of Change.

❌ Not updating the current and former in-house lobbyist lists.

Senior Officers are required to keep track of in-house lobbyists contributing to the lobbying activity of the business or organization. If someone is no longer lobbying, you must update your registration. Remove the lobbyist’s name from the current in-house lobbyist list and add their name to the former in-house lobbyist list within 30 calendar days of the date that the person ceased lobbying.

You can read the previous edition of “Common Registration Mistakes” in Issue 41 of ON Lobbying.

 If you are planning a lobby day at Queen’s Park, it is important to review and update your registration to stay compliant with the Act.

Before arranging a lobby day, you may wish to review Interpretation Bulletin #1: Am I Lobbying?, to check that the issues you will be raising at the event meet the definition of lobbying.

If you speak to MPPs and their staff during your lobby day, be sure to add those targets to your lobbying targets and include what you discussed when you update your registration after the event.

In-house lobbyists working at a business or organization must also track the  hours they spend lobbying at the event, as these will cumulatively count towards the 50-hour registration threshold.

Consultant lobbyists who assist their clients by inviting public office holders to attend the lobby day must register within 10 calendar days or update their lobbying activities within 30 calendar days. Interpretation Bulletin #9: Do I have to register if I only arrange a meeting? clarifies when consultant lobbyists are required to register.

Do you have questions about lobby days and your obligations under the Act? Are you considering offering a nominal gift during your lobby day? Send an email to lobbyist.mail@oico.on.ca to request an Advisory Opinion.

To help you stay on top of your lobbying obligations, the Office has created two handy checklists.

Registration checklists can be consulted when you are completing your registration. Compliance checklists cover timelines and information about keeping your registrations compliant with the Act.

Registration & Compliance Checklists