Complaint against Chrtien stalls as lobbyist act has 'no investigation procedure'

Legally, anyone who lobbies government in Nova Scotia must register first, but the law doesn't include any way to actually deal with complaints.

John McCracken, a retired CUPEAtlantic spokesperson, found that out when he filed a complaintthat former prime minister Jean Chrtien lobbiedPremier Stephen McNeil illegally last month.

Chrtien is not registered as a lobbyist in Nova Scotia, but is an international adviser to a group promoting bringing a container shipping port to Sydney harbour.

McCrackensaysChrtienmade it clear he was meeting the premier to talk about the port in March.McNeilhas denied he was lobbied byChrtien,although he said the two men did talk brieflyabout the port project.

HayleyClarke, the registrar responsible for theLobbyists' Registration Act, told McCrackenthe act "doesnot contain a complaint or investigation procedure."

"That was a surprise!" saidMcCracken.

In a letter dated March 29, Clarke writes she will "review the matter and where it is warranted, send a letter to the alleged unregistered lobbyist outlining the definition of 'lobbying' under the act, referring the person(s) to the act and the guide to the Registry of Lobbyists, and advising them of the registration requirements."

'Paper tiger' won't deter people

McCrackencalled that a "slap on the wrist" for anyone flouting the law.

"Clearly, the act is outdated," he said. "Clearly, the act needs a lot more teeth. I mean there isn't even a formal complaint or investigation procedure under the act. So what kind of Lobbyists' Registration Act is that? It's like a paper tiger."

Clarke suggested she would contact Chrtien and expectsa response.

"When a letter is sent to the alleged unregistered lobbyist, we ask that they review their activities to ensure compliance and provide a response advising as to the results of their review within 30 days," she wroteto McCracken.

He doubts that will have an impact.

"I'm picturing our former prime minister, who survived in federal politics for well over 30 years, receiving this letter from our registrar and having a bit of a chuckle, and basically saying, 'Have a nice day,'"said McCracken.

Marla MacInnis, spokeswoman for the Office of Service Nova Scotia, said the registrar of lobbyists is reviewing the matter.

"Pending the outcome of the review, a decision will be made as to whether to conduct an informal inquiry of the alleged unregistered lobbyist to encourage registration, if required," she told CBC News in an email.

She said anyone concerned a law has been broken can contact police.

The law sets a fine of "not more than $25,000" for lobbying without first registering as a lobbyist.

"Formal investigations under the act may be conducted by law enforcement, and charges laid where they deem appropriate. It is only through the court process that fines under the act may be levied," the letter reads.

In March, 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."