Guidance for Lobbyists on Political Activity

If you are a lobbyist and wish to get involved in an election campaign or do other political work, it is important to understand how this political activity could affect your current – and future – lobbying activities.

Doing political work for someone who is a public office holder or who becomes one (e.g., by getting elected or becoming a member of a ministers’ staff) could create a conflict of interest.

Lobbyists who knowingly place a public office holder in a position of real or potential conflict of interest are breaching the Lobbyists Registration Act, 1998. The Integrity Commissioner, as Lobbyists Registrar, can investigate this type of non-compliance and issue penalties to lobbyists.

The Commissioner has issued an Interpretation Bulletin about the conflict of interest prohibition in the Act. The bulletin covers topics like gifts, personal and professional relationships and doing political activity.

Are you thinking of working on a campaign or doing other political work?

If you lobby or may lobby in the future, you should:

1) Read Interpretation Bulletin #11 “What is a conflict of interest and how does it affect my lobbying?”

2) Seek an Advisory Opinion from the Commissioner to get advice on your specific situation.
Note: the more specific information you have about the political work you will be doing or have done, the more specific advice you will receive from the Commissioner.

Have questions about registering lobbying during the writ period?

See the Guidance for Lobbyists During and After an Election.