As a consultant lobbyist, when do I need to register?
Interpretation Bulletin #5
Summary
If you are a consultant lobbyist, you need to register within 10 calendar days of the day you first lobby for a client.
Interpretation
As a consultant lobbyist, you are lobbying when you communicate with anyone in government to:
- try to influence a law or regulation, government policy or program, transfer of a Crown asset, good or service to the private sector, government grant, contribution or other financial benefit, or government contract, or
- arrange a meeting between a public office holder and anyone else.
For details about whether you are lobbying, see Interpretation Bulletin #1 "Am I lobbying?", and Interpretation Bulletin #9 "Do I have to register if I only arrange a meeting?".
If you are a consultant lobbyist who is paid to lobby by a client, you must register within 10 calendar days after you first lobby for that client.
Example
- February 1st you sign a retainer with a new client.
- March 1st you call a policy advisor in a Minister’s Office to talk about a new policy your client wants the government to adopt.
- March 11th is the deadline to register your lobbying activity for the client.
Application
This Bulletin applies to the following types of lobbyists:
- consultant lobbyists
Relevant Legislation
Lobbyists Registration Act, 1998
- s. 4(1).
History
First issued: October 28, 2011
Amended on: July 1, 2016; March 30, 2020
This Bulletin was previously published as Interpretation Bulletin #5, "Registration threshold for Consultant Lobbyists".
Authority
The Lobbyists Registration Act, 1998, makes sure that lobbying in Ontario is transparent and ethical. The Integrity Commissioner, as the Lobbyists Registrar, maintains an online public record of lobbyists and conducts investigations into non-compliance with the Act. The Registrar may issue a bulletin about the interpretation or application of the Lobbyists Registration Act, 1998.
This Bulletin provides general information. It is not legal advice. It is not a binding statement of how the Integrity Commissioner will interpret the law.