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[ Meet the Lobbyist Registrar ]
[ A short history of the Registry ]
Regulating lobbyists’ conduct
Promoting and ensuring compliance
Chapter 140 of the Municipal Code is the City’s Lobbying By-law. (PDF) Its provisions must be followed when lobbying public office holders. The Office of the Lobbyist Registrar promotes and ensures compliance with the registry system and the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct, which is part of the Lobbying By-law.
We provide information, advice and assistance, interpretation bulletins and training to help lobbyists understand and comply with the Lobbying By-law. We review and verify registrations before they are approved, and conduct ongoing reviews of existing registrations.
Investigations and inquiries
We respond to requests for inquiries and investigations into compliance with the registry system and the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct.
The Registrar may conduct an investigation or inquiry to determine whether there has been a contravention of the Lobbying By-law in response to...
- A request from a member of the public, City Council, or a member of Council
- Information provided by the Registrar’s staff, a member of the public, or a public office holder
- Information found in the Registry
- Information found in the public record.
The Registrar is required by law to conduct investigations and inquiries in a manner that preserves secrecy. The Registrar has adopted compliance investigation procedures. (PDF) Following an investigation or inquiry, the Registrar determines whether there has been a contravention of the Lobbying By-law. The Registrar may report to Council.
Administrative penalties
If the Registrar determines that the lobbyist has failed to meet registration requirements, she may remove, revoke or suspend a registration.
Charges under the Provincial Offences Act
Contravening the Lobbying By-law, including the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct, is an offence under the Provincial Offences Act. Examples of offences are lobbying without a registration; lobbying by offering entertainment, meals, gifts or favours of any kind; and failing to provide accurate and factual information to a public office holder.
If the Registrar determines that there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe that the Lobbying By-law has been breached, she may lay a charge under the Provincial Offences Act.
On conviction, the maximum fine that can be imposed is $25,000 for a first offence and $100,000.for a subsequent offence
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