BC's Lobbyists Transparency Act – New Registration And Reporting Requirements

On May 4^th, the Lobbyists Transparency Act came into effect, increasing registration and reporting requirements for all organizations (including not-for-profits) that lobby provincial employees or public office holders in British Columbia.

"Lobbying" is defined broadly. It includes attempting to influence government decisions, such as legislative proposals, bills, resolutions, regulations, programs, policies, directives and guidelines. It also includes lobbying when seeking government contracts. It can be a challenge to determine what counts as lobbying.  The Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists (ORL) has indicated that it is not considered lobbying if an organization is strictly following an established process with the government or a provincial entity that any other member of the public would follow. However, if the organization contacts a public office holder outside of an established public process, in an attempt to influence a decision in their favour, that