Lobbyist Registry Now Open

Nova Scotians are much closer to knowing who's talking to whom as individuals, businesses and organizations begin registering their lobbying activities today, Sept 17.

Anyone who is paid to try to influence government decisions may need to register. The general public will have access to the information as of Oct. 1.

"One of this government's first accomplishments was the introduction of open and transparent financial reporting," said Justice Minister Michael Baker. "Today, we're fulfilling yet another commitment to make government open and accountable to the people of Nova Scotia."

"The registry is easily accessible for those who must register and those who want information about lobbyists in this province," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations.

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations will use its registry expertise to manage the database and to make the information available to the public. The department also operates the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the Registry of Joint Stock Companies, Vital Statistics and other government databases.

Lobbyists must provide their names and contact information, the names of those they lobby and on whose behalf they work, whether they are a consultant or an employee, the focus of the lobbying activity, the lobbying techniques they will use and other relevant details. Small changes, such as when a client moves, will require a simple correction, which must be made within 30 days. Substantial changes, such as setting additional lobbying targets or tactics, may require a new registration. Otherwise, registrations must be renewed every six months.

"Registration will cost $100 if the application is filed on paper, but only $50 if the application is filed electronically through our Web site," said registrar Kerry MacLean. Semi-annual renewals will cost $25, regardless of how they are filed. The public will be able to access the information in the database through the Internet free of charge.

Non-profit organizations will pay reduced fees for paper-based registrations: $50 for the initial registration and $25 for renewals. All online transactions will be free for non-profit organizations.

"We feel online access is best, whether you're registering as a lobbyist or looking for information about the lobbyists in the registry," said Ms. MacLean. "You can access the registry at any time, using an Internet connection from a home, office, school or one of the many public access sites across the province."

Failure to register can result in a fine of up to $25,000 for a first offence and up to $100,000 for subsequent offences.

Nova Scotia passed the Lobbyist Registration Act on Nov. 8, 2001.

Under the act, lobbyists fall into one of three categories:

• consultant lobbyists: employees of a public relations firm, lawyers, accountants or other professionals who are hired by a client;
• in-house lobbyists: employees who cumulatively spend 20 per cent or more of one employee's time engaged in lobbying activities; and
• in-house lobbyists working for non-profit organizations: paid staff who cumulatively spend 20 per cent or more of one employee's time lobbying.

There are some differences between the categories, including the amount of information to be provided and who files the registration.

Consultants must register within 10 days after being hired to lobby, and must file a new registration for each lobbying project. Employees who lobby on behalf of their employer must be registered within two months of the start of lobbying activity.

Lobbying covers a wide range of activities, including arranging meetings with officials, developing proposals and presentations and otherwise trying to influence decisions regarding government legislation, programs or policies or the awarding of a government contract or grant. It also includes grassroots lobbying, which often involves organized phone, letter, fax or e-mail campaigns targeting those who hold public office.

People acting in their official capacity, such as a policy analyst advising a minister, are not required to register.

Under the legislation, public office holders include an MLA or an MLA's staff and provincial government or Crown employees. Judges, Small Claims Court adjudicators, the ombudsman, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) review officer and members of a administrative tribunal such as the Workers Compensation Appeals Tribunal are not public office holders under the act.

The federal government's lobbyist registration legislation came into effect in 1996; Ontario followed in 1999.

Information and registration forms are available online at www.gov.ns.ca/lobbyist , by e-mail at lobbyist@gov.ns.ca or by phone at 902-424-5200 or 1-800-670-4357. Forms can be picked up or dropped off at any Access Nova Scotia office, starting on Sept. 16.

A public information session will be held on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to reserve a space by sending an e-mail to lobbyist@gov.ns.ca or by calling 902-424-5200 or 1-800-670-4357.