Union activist files complaint alleging former PM violated N.S. lobbying law

A union activist has filed a complaint with Nova Scotia's registryof lobbyists alleging former prime minister Jean Chrtien violated the province's lobbying law when he met with Premier Stephen McNeilat the premier's office on Wednesday.

Chrtien is not registered as a lobbyist in Nova Scotia, which is a legal requirement for anyone who wants to influence government on policy, legislation or a specific proposal.

The former prime minister is an international adviser to a group promoting a proposal to bring a container shipping port to Sydney Harbour.

In his complaint, retired CUPEAtlantic communications representativeJohn McCrackennoted media reports of Chrtien's comments before the meeting between the two leaders.

"In his remarks to reporters in Sydney on March 21, CBC, the Cape Breton Spectator and others reported that Chrtien'promised to discuss the port file with Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil, adding he hoped the provincial government would invest in the project, even though this development has been billed as 'private' since Day 1and the province has said it will not be investing in it.'"

"If it walks like a duck, [quacks]like a duck, it's probably a duck," he said. "I just feltlike in Canada, we have laws that are set up to hold people to account particularly politicians and former politicians and we all want to see accountability.

Violations of the Lobbyists' Registration Act can result in prosecution and a fine of up to $25,000 for a first offence and $100,000 for a subsequent offence.

On Thursday, McNeilrepeatedly said he had not been lobbied during that get-together.

"We talked about economic development," said McNeil. "We talked about what it was like to be from a large family. We continued to share stories about that, but I can assure you there was actually no lobby."

Opposition reaction

Responding to a question by interim PC Leader Karla MacFarlaneduring Friday's question period, McNeilmaintained that position.

"Mr.Chrtien was very clear and got out there and said he supported itbut he did not ask me for a single nickel.He just said it would be a good project for the province," said McNeil.

NDPLeader Gary Burrillsaid that sounded like lobbying to him.

"In that conversation, Mr. Chrtien spoke to him about his opinion of the port and what he would like the premier to think about it," he said. "In my judgment, I think in any common view, that's what lobbying is."

Speaking to reporters outside the chamber but before McCrackenfiled his complaint, McNeilmaintained his meeting with Chrtien was entirely above board, and that, as a policy, he doesn't meet with people who come to him looking for help on specific proposals.

"If they are coming to me specifically to lobby on a particular thing before government, I don't take that meeting," he said. "That's pretty straightforward, so if you're coming to lobby me about something that's before this House or an expenditure that we're making, I don't take that meeting."

MacFarlane isn't sold.

"Kind of negates the whole purpose of the registry if you're not going to pay attention to it," she said.

Service Nova Scotia MinisterGeoff MacLellan, responsible for the lobbyist registry, said this week's debate over lobbying has convinced him the law needs a thorough review.

"This whole issue brought on this week gives us the chance to do that and come back to Nova Scotianswith what we see could strengthen that system," he said.

"If the Nova Scotia system is antiquated from an electronic platform perspective and also from the practical application, then it's time to take a look and see if we can do better."