The Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario is prepared for the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, proclaimed into law on Jan. 1, 2011. Among its initiatives, the Act amends the Lobbyists Registration Act, 1998.

“In keeping with the changes to the rules governing consultant lobbyists, my office has updated the lobbyist registration form and undertaken a communications initiative to ensure compliance,” said Integrity Commissioner and Lobbyist Registrar Lynn Morrison.

The changes prohibit certain public sector organizations from using public funds to hire external (or consultant) lobbyists. This restriction applies to public bodies, hydro entities, larger broader public sector organizations such as hospitals, school boards and universities and every other publicly funded organization that receives more than $10 million in government funding. If a consultant is hired by one of these organizations, the lobbyist will be required to submit to the Lobbyist Registrar an attestation signed by the head of the organization, confirming that the lobbyist is not being paid with public funds.

This provision will affect only registered consultant lobbyists. The changes do not affect registered lobbyists for organizations, or persons and partnerships.

About the OIC

The Office of the Integrity Commissioner has five key responsibilities:
- Lobbyists registration
- Members’ integrity
- Public service disclosure of wrongdoing (whistle-blowing)
- Expenses review for Cabinet Ministers, Opposition Leaders, and 22 of Ontario’s largest agencies
- Ministers’ staff ethical conduct

An Officer of the Legislative Assembly, the Integrity Commissioner is independent of government.

More information on the OIC and its work is available at www.oico.on.ca.

Ce communiqué est également disponible en français.

Contact:
Cathryn Motherwell
Director, Office of the Integrity Commissioner
416-314-8983
cathryn.motherwell@oico.on.ca