Communiqué — Fall 2023 Lobbyists Registrars and Commissioners Network conference

Victoria—The Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists for British Columbia (ORL BC) hosted the annual conference of the Lobbyists Registrars and Commissioners Network (LRCN) from September 26 to 28, 2023. The network of commissioners and registrars from Canadian jurisdictions at the federal, provincial and municipal levels administer and supervise the lobbying regimes in their respective jurisdictions.

Diane Sam, Community Engagement Manager and Team Leader at the Songhees Cultural Centre, opened the conference by acknowledging her Songhees and Ahousaht relations and connection to the land, welcoming all delegates to lək̓ʷəŋən territory, and recognizing the important role transparency plays in a healthy society.

ORL BC Registrar Michael McEvoy chaired the meeting. He opened by recognizing the lək̓ʷəŋən people, the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, on whose traditional territory the conference took place. He also acknowledged that the conference took place during the week of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to each member of the LRCN for sharing their time, knowledge, and expertise,” said Registrar McEvoy. “The insights and expertise shared by the delegates bolster the Network’s collective understanding of lobbying issues, strengthening each member’s capacity to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability in lobbying.”
Attending delegates shared recent updates and developments on lobbying issues from their respective jurisdictions within Canada and engaged in three roundtable discussions on the following topics of common concern:

• The successes and challenges each jurisdiction encounters when regulating lobbyist gift-giving and the best practices for safeguarding the integrity of public institutions.
• The role of education and the methods utilized by regulators to educate lobbyists, public office holders, and the general public about lobbying rules and the transparency afforded by lobbyist registries.
• The pros and cons of legislated thresholds that lobbyists must meet before triggering a requirement to register lobbying activity.

During the conference, the delegates had the opportunity to tour the Parliament Buildings, home to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and learn about the history and operation of the building and its staff.

Registrar and Commissioner arrivals and departures

The LRCN acknowledged the appointment of Stephen Littlejohn as Lobbyist Registrar for the City of Toronto, following the conclusion of Cristina De Caprio’s 7-year term in September; the appointment of LeeAnn Montgomery as Alternate Commissioner of Lobbyists for Newfoundland and Labrador following the departure of Allison M. Whelan in January; and the appointment of Justin Gorczyca as Lobbyist Administrator for Yukon after the retirement of Helen Fitzsimmonds in July.

The next annual conference of the Lobbyists Registrars and Commissioners Network will be held in autumn 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario.

Member attendees

• Lobbyisme Québec – Quebec
• Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying – Canada
• Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists – British Columbia
• Office of the Ethics Commissioner – Alberta
• Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists – Saskatchewan
• Office of the Integrity Commissioner – Ontario
• Office of the Integrity Commissioner – New Brunswick
• Office of the Lobbyist Registrar – Manitoba
• Lobbyist Registrar – Toronto
• Lobbyist Registry – Ottawa
• Digital Government and Service NL – Newfoundland & Labrador