Lobbyist Registry
On January 1, 2025 the Region of Waterloo launched a Lobbyist Registry, through the approval of By-Law #24-043.
The Lobbyist Registry is a tool designed to increase transparency and accountability surrounding lobbying activities happening in the Region, encouraging open and accountable governance between the lobbyist and the public office holder. The Registry aims to enhance public awareness of lobbying activities while supporting ethical and responsible interactions between officials and those seeking to influence decision-making.
Search lobbying activity happening in the Region of Waterloo through the link below:
Why Create a Lobbyist Registry?
The Region of Waterloo’s Strategic Plan, Growing with Care, highlights the importance of involving the community in decision-making to build trust and confidence in government. The Lobbyist Registry:
-
Enhances transparency by documenting lobbying efforts publicly.
-
Promotes accountability by holding lobbyists to consistent standards.
-
Supports public trust by ensuring ethical interactions between public office holders and external parties.
What is Lobbying?
Lobbying means any communication with a Public Office Holder by an individual who is paid or who represents a business or financial interest with the goal of trying to influence any legislative action including development, introduction, passage, defeat, amendment or repeal of a by-law, motion, resolution or the outcome of a decision on any matter before Council, a Committee of Council, or a staff member acting under delegated authority.
Lobbying can happen at any time whether through a formal meeting, via e-mail, a letter, phone call or a dialogue etc. The primary aim of a lobbyist is to influence legislative actions. This influence could pertain to various activities, including the development, introduction, passage, defeat, amendment, or repeal of by-laws, motions, resolutions, or other significant decisions made before our Council.
Who is a Lobbyist?
The Region of Waterloo identifies three types of lobbyists through our Lobbyist Registry:
-
Consultant Lobbyist: an individual who lobbies for payment on behalf of a client (e.g., another individual, a business, partnership, organization or other entity)
-
In-House Lobbyist: an individual who is an employee, partner or sole proprietor and who lobbies on behalf of his or her own employer, business or other entity.
-
Voluntary Lobbyist: an individual who lobbies without payment on behalf of an individual, business or any other entity for the benefit of the interests of the individual, business or entity.
Note: If you are a Representative of an Indigenous Organization advancing actions from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the UNDRIP Act, or the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2 Spirited+ Calls to Action, you may, but are not required to register your lobbying activity, under principles of inclusion and respect for Indigenous rights.
Review the lobbyist flow chart to determine whether you are a lobbyist and need to register:
Who is a Public Office Holder?
A Public Office Holder is:
-
a member of Council, and any person on his or her staff;
-
an officer or employee of the Region;
-
a member of a local board or committee established by Council, and any person on his or her staff;
-
an Independent Accountability Officer, including but not limited to the Region’s Integrity Commissioner, Lobbyist Registrar, Ombudsman, and Closed Meeting Investigator.
Note: At this time, lobbying activity will be reported in the Registry to the Region’s Chair, Councillors, Commissioners and Directors.
Review the list of our Public Office Holders prior to registering:
How Do I Register?
Step 1: Read the Lobbyist Registry By-Law and Lobbyist Code of Conduct.
Step 2: Read through the Public Office Holder list to determine which department and individual you are lobbying.
Step 3: Check out the instruction guide to set up your Lobbyist Registry Account.
Step 4: Register your lobbying activity!
Important: As outlined in the By-Law, lobbyists must record their lobbying activity within 10 days of the initial communication with the Public Office Holder. Lobbyists may register prior to the initial conversation.
Enforcement and Penalties
In accordance with the Lobbyist Registry By-law and Section 223.11 of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Region of Waterloo Integrity Commissioner is the Lobbyist Registrar and will enforce the penalties under the By-law.
The Registrar may impose a temporary ban on communication in accordance with the following scheme if the Registrar finds that the requirements of the By-law and Lobbyist Code of Conduct have not been met:
-
for 30 days for a first contravention;
-
for 60 days for a second contravention;
-
for a period longer than 60 days as determined by the Lobbyist Registrar for a third or subsequent contravention.
The Lobbyist Registry By-law provided a six-month penalty free period to provide an opportunity to educate both the public and lobbyists on the new process. In accordance with the By-law, the following penalties, as outlined in Section 9 of the By-law, will take effect on June 1, 2025.
Lobbyist Registrar's Contact Information
John Mascarin
Aird and Berlis LLP
Telephone: 416-865-4722
Email: jmascarin@airdberlis.com
Resources
Learn More
Education and public engagement is key to the successful implementation of the Lobbyist Registry. We encourage residents, businesses and stakeholders to attend our virtual information sessions, which will be taking place once a month.
Virtual information sessions will be held on the dates below. Registration details will be posted here in early January 2025.
The Lobbyist Registry is a significant step towards more open, transparent, and accountable governance in the Region of Waterloo. Thank you for supporting us in building a better, more engaged community.
Contact Us