The Lobbyists' Code of Conduct

The Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct sets out standards of behaviour for individuals who must be listed in a registration as required by the Lobbying Act.

The Code is a non-statutory tool that complements the Lobbying Act’s registration requirements and serves to reinforce transparent and ethical lobbying.

The Commissioner of Lobbying has the authority to administer the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct. Breaches of the Code may result in a report to Parliament.

• Read the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct (2015)

Referral of updated Code to parliamentary committee

The Commissioner has referred the third edition of the Code to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI), as required by the Lobbying Act. Any comments received by the Committee will be considered before the third edition of the Code is finalized and published in the Canada Gazette.

The following document was shared with ETHI on November 15, 2022:

• Renewing the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct – Updated standards for ethical and transparent lobbying

Consultation

When developing or amending the Code, the Commissioner of Lobbying consults with interested stakeholders.

Process, draft changes and comments

During consultations held between 2020 and 2022, stakeholders were invited to share views on improving and clarifying the standards of conduct for lobbyists.

Over ninety (90) stakeholders provided input during the consultation process.

• Revised draft update (May 2022) and comments
• Initial draft update (December 2021) and comments
• Comments on existing 2015 Code

Key events

2021

December 15: Stakeholders are invited to comment on draft changes to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct through a consultation.

2020

November 2: A consultation on future amendments to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct is launched.

2015

December 1: A new version of the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct comes into effect, following extensive stakeholder consultation. It replaced the 1997 version.

2013

September 24: A consultation on whether the Code should be amended is launched.

2008

July 2: The period during which possible violations or breaches under the Lobbying Act and the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct may be investigated and prosecution may be initiated is increased from two to ten years.

1997

March 1: The first Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct comes into force after extensive consultations and a review by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. The Ethics Counsellor was responsible for upholding the Code.

1996

January 31: The development of a code of conduct for lobbyists is mandated with the coming into force of amendments to the Lobbyists Registration Act.