Archived - Archived information - Commissioner of Lobbying finds three lobbyists in breach of the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct

For immediate release

Ottawa, February 16, 2011 — Karen E. Shepherd, Commissioner of Lobbying, tabled three reports today in both Houses of Parliament on the activities of three lobbyists.

In all three cases, the Commissioner found the lobbyists were in breach of the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct. She concluded that Bruce Rawson did not register lobbying activities performed on behalf of two clients. The Commissioner also found that Will Stewart and Michael McSweeney created an apparent conflict of interest by conducting fundraising activities for a federal cabinet minister whose department they were lobbying.

"These reports show there are consequences to breaching the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct," said Commissioner Shepherd. "The Stewart and McSweeney cases are groundbreaking, as they are the first ones since the Federal Court of Appeal's decision in March 2009 that provided a new interpretation of Rule 8 of the Code."

The purpose of the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct is to assure the Canadian public that lobbying is done ethically and with the highest standards, with a view to increasing public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and impartiality of government decision-making.

The Lobbyists' Code of Conduct is an integral part of the disclosure and ethical requirements that apply to all lobbyists. Breaches of the Code carry no fines or jail terms.

Please consult the reports for further details.

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For more information, contact:

Telephone: 613-952-4306
Email: media@lobbycanada.gc.ca