The House Ethics Committee initiated a review of the federal Lobbying Act on February 12th, aiming to modernize the regime that has not been significantly updated for over a decade.

The $1.4 billion lobbying industry pushes back

Various stakeholders, including representatives from the lobbying industry, expressed concerns about the proposed changes. The review must conclude within one year of starting and is expected to propose significant changes to Canada's lobbying system .

Lobbyists are pushing back on some of the potential changes, including a registration-by-default rule, which would simplify the current system by requiring all lobbyists to register , instead of those who meet a certain threshold.

An echo of the 2019 lobbying scandal

The review comes after a decade of inaction, with the last significant update to the Lobbying Act dating back to 2014. The move is seen as a response to growing concerns about the influence of lobbyists on Canadian politics.

The review is expected to propose significant changes to Canada's lobbying system,including the registration-by-default rule, which opponents argue might add administrative burden and create confusion.

Who will be impacted by the changes?

The proposed changes are expected to impact all lobbyists,including those who currently meet the threshold for registration.. The review must conclude within one year of starting, and its findings will shape the future of lobbying in Canada.

The House Ethics Committee's review of the federal Lobbying Act is a long-overdue move to modernize the regime.. The proposed changes are expected to have a significant imapct on the lobbying industry and its influence on Canadian politics.