In this issue...

• Lobbyists Registrars and Commissioners Network Meeting
• A Note on Gifts
• Common Registration Mistakes

In September, Integrity Commissioner Cathryn Motherwell and office staff attended the annual meeting of the Lobbyists Registrars and Commissioners Network (LRCN) in Saint Andrews, NB. This year’s meeting was hosted by the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of New Brunswick, and attended by registrars and commissioners from eight provinces, two municipalities and the federal Commissioner of Lobbying.

Highlights of the two-day meeting included a presentation on the use of artificial intelligence to support registry operations, discussions about recent legal cases, registration thresholds and cooling-off periods for public officials who leave government.

In addition to jurisdictional updates, attendees shared techniques on how to connect with lobbyists who may not be aware of their obligations under lobbying legislation.

Regulators and commissioners also emphasized the need for updates to their respective laws and their willingness to support legislators with this work to enhance transparency.

The network also agreed to increase collaboration, with the federal office assuming a secretariat role for information sharing across jurisdictions.

With the holiday season fast approaching, it is important to remember your gift-related obligations under the Lobbyists Registration Act, 1998.

It may not be permitted to offer public office holders gifts or benefits such as tickets to events or invitations to receptions.

Lobbyists are prohibited from placing public office holders in a position of real or potential conflict of interest, and the offering of a gift may create a sense of obligation that could lead to a conflict of interest for the recipient.

To learn more, you can review the Office’s Guidance on Gifts & Benefits and the Commissioner’s Interpretation Bulletin #11 “What is a conflict of interest and how does it affect my lobbying?”.

You can also contact the Office at lobbyist.mail@oico.on.ca to get an Advisory Opinion on the appropriateness of the gift or benefit you want to offer.

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

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

Lobbyists and senior officers are reminded to respond to emails in a timely manner or in accordance with the deadline provided.

Failure to respond may result in non-compliance with the Act so it’s a good idea to make sure emails from the Office don’t get filtered to your junk/spam folder. If you have questions about the email you receive, please ask for clarification.

Acronyms can be used after that. Remember, the acronym you know well may not be common knowledge to others. Transparency is the purpose of the Lobbyists Registry.

You can read previous editions of Common Registration Mistakes in Issue 41 and Issue 42 of ON Lobbying.