Guide To Doing Business In Canada: Lobbying

LOBBYING

Communications between individuals representing a corporation or its employees and government officials may be subject to strict reporting requirements. Specific rules apply to the lobbying of officials in the Canadian federal government in some provinces and municipalities. Each of these governmental bodies has its own rules, and it is wise to gain an understanding of them before undertaking communications with government officials.

At the federal level, the Lobbying Act provides that certain types of communications between individuals and "public office holders" must be reported. Under the Act, individuals who work with or deal with governmental officials or employees may have an obligation to disclose information relating to these discussions. Corporate employees may also be subject to the Lobbying Act, depending on the nature of their work and the time invested in interacting with Government of Canada employees, such as politicians, officials and