What is lobbying?
A lobbyist is an individual who is paid - in-house or consultancy basis - to communicate with federal public office holders about the following subjects:
- development of any legislative proposal
- introduction, defeat or amendment of any Bill or resolution
- making or amendment of any regulation
- development or amendment of any policy or program
- awarding of any grant, contribution or other financial benefit
Communication methods include all forms of written, oral and grass-roots communication i.e. phone, email, mass mailing campaigns, advertisements, telephone, public demonstrations, web, social media.
Monthly lobbyist reports
The government relations department administers the University of Waterloo's compliance with the Lobbying Act, which requires organizations to submit monthly reports tracking any lobbying activity made orally and made in advance of the communication with a designated public office holder.
Official designated public office holders include:
- All Members of Parliament and Senators
- Ministers and their exempt staff
- Some staff in the Office of the Leader of the Opposition
- Deputy Ministers
- Associate and Assistant Deputy Ministers, and those of comparable rank
- Senior positions in the Armed Forces
- Comptroller General of Canada
- Select positions at the Privy Council Office
Lobbyists' Code of Conduct
All Lobbyists must comply with the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct assuring ethical lobbying practices.
The basic principles of the Lobbying Act and the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct include:
- free and open access to government
- lobbying as a legitimate activity
- public awareness of who is engaged in lobbying activity
- no impediment of free and open access to government
For more information, or to register as a lobbyist and receive a monthly request to report your lobbying activities, email Kerri Behling, senior manager of Government Relations.