Province introduces lobbyist registration

The Saskatchewan government has introduced a lobbyist registration act in an attempt to be more transparent.

The legislation will require that lobbyists who are paid to influence politicians register their activitiesonline.

Saskatchewan people should know who is lobbying the government and the creation of a public registry will disclose that information, said Gordon Wyant, Saskatchewan Justice Minister and Attorney General.

At the same time, this legislation recognizes that lobbying public office holders is a legitimate democratic activity.

The act applies to those who are paid to lobby for a client, referred to as consultant lobbyists, as well as those who are paid on behalf of an organization to lobby government officials for at least 100 hours a year, known as in-house lobbyists.

Volunteers or unpaid people in the general public who pursue personal interests with their MLAs will not be required to register. Neither will those who are working on behalf of a municipality or other government.

A new positionwill be created for a Conflict of Interest Commissioner. The commissioneroversee the act and make sure it's being followed.

Most Canadian provinces have similar lobbyist registries, with Ontario being the first province to adopt one in 1998.