Lobbyist Registry: New Rules Take Effect April 1, 2010
If you are engaged in lobbying — or employ individuals to lobby on behalf of your organization — there are new rules coming into force April 1, 2010. Familiarize yourself with the newly amended Lobbyists Registration Act to ensure you are prepared and in compliance with the legislation.
A new free, user-friendly online registration system will be launched April 1, 2010, when the amendments are brought into force.
- Those re-registering or registering for the first time need to obtain a business B.C. electronic ID.
- Consultant lobbyists must re-register within 10 days — by April 10, 2010.
- Senior officers for non-profit and for-profit organizations must re-register all in-house lobbyists within 30 days — by May 1, 2010. Note: In-house lobbyists no longer register themselves.
For details about registering and the newly amended act, click here.
Lobbyist Registry - Current Requirements Until March 31, 2010
As part of the government's commitment to open, accountable and transparent government, all people who are paid to lobby government are now required to register with the lobbyists' registry with details of their lobbying activities. The information in the registry is accessible to the public.
Three types of lobbyists are required to register:
- Consultant lobbyists who are paid on contract to lobby on behalf of clients. They include government relations consultants, lawyers, accountants and other professionals. These consultants need to register for each separate contract they undertake.
- In-house lobbyists employed by businesses that carry on activities for financial gain.
- Senior officers of not-for-profit organizations who either lobby directly themselves or employ staff who spend significant amounts of their time on lobbying activities. This includes business, trade and professional associations, labour organizations, chambers of commerce, boards of trade and charitable and interest groups.
The Lobbyists Registration Act sets out requirements for registration of individuals and organizations engaged in lobbying activities.
The Guide to the Lobbyists Registration Act - For Lobbyists contains detailed information about who must register and what information they must provide.
The Guide to the Lobbyists Registration Act - For the Public contains information on who must register and how the public can access information from the registry.
Office of the Lobbyists Registrar
3rd Floor, 756 Fort St
Victoria B.C. V8W 9A4
Phone: 250 387-2686
Email
Some documents on this page are in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need Adobe Reader.
