New Sask. online lobbyist registry now active

A new online registry will now allow Saskatchewan residents to search individuals and organizations lobbying public office holders.

“The Lobbyists Act is now in effect, which reflects our commitment to ongoing transparency and accountability,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said.

“It is important for citizens to know who is lobbying the government and the Lobbyist Registry will disclose that information.”

Under the Act, people who are paid to lobby elected Saskatchewan officials on behalf of an organization or group will be required to register lobbying activities online.

Corporations, like Mosaic, who regularly lobby the government and have staff that handle those responsibilities, are required to register after 100 hours of work is done lobbying in a year.

The 100 hours is based on the combined work of everyone involved in lobbying the government.

People who are acting in their official capacity on behalf of certain organizations, such as municipalities, post-secondary institutions, or First Nations and Métis governing bodies, may be exempt from the Act.

Unpaid people, like volunteers or members of the public pursuing personal interests with MLAs, are not required to register.

Conflict of Interest Commissioner Ron Barclay will oversee the Act.

“They would be entitled to know that I made representations, who did I make representations to, and what were the representations,” Barclay said, after giving an example of what lobbyists now have to disclose.

“That’s really the heart of transparency.”

It is the lobbyists responsibility to document their actions. Penalties for not providing information range from $25,000 for a first offense, all the way to $100,000 for subsequent offences.

The new rules for the lobbyist act take effect on Aug. 23. Lobbyists will have 30 days to register.