For the first time since the Act took effect in 1989, an
individual has been charged with contravention of the federal
Lobbying Act.
Andrew Skaling of New Brunswick is charged with failure to
register as a consultant lobbyist as required by subsection 5(1) of
the Lobbying Act. He is alleged to have undertaken to
communicate with a public office holder, for payment, on behalf of
the Canadian Network of Respiratory Care. The charge relates to
alleged activity between June 2010 and January 2011.
The charge is an allegation only and has not been proven in
Court. Further, there is no allegation that Mr. Skaling's
client did anything wrong.
While the information laying the charge was sworn in January
2013, the charge has only recently come to light. Lobbying
Commissioner Karen Shepherd mentioned the development in general
terms to a parliamentary committee during her April 29 testimony,
but did not name the accused or provide details. MPs did not grasp
the historic
