What Every Stakeholder Needs To Know About Lobbyist Registration

A corporate CEO has a conversation with a senior politician. They discuss a proposed change in government policy. The executive lays out her case.

"If you do this," she says, "you'll force us to close our plant in your riding. Hundreds of your constituents will lose their jobs."

The meeting ends. Months later, the proposal is quietly shelved.

Must the CEO register as a lobbyist? What if it was the politician, not the CEO, who asked for the meeting?

Since taking office last year, Canada's Liberal government has announced a variety of task forces, advisory processes, and study groups. The issues to be considered range from defence procurement to marijuana legalization to broadcasting regulation. Businesses and other organizations will be invited to participate, as they are in similar processes at the provincial and municipal levels.