Painting a positive image of lobbying to advance the profession The Canadian Institute June 7, 2011

Painting a positive image of lobbying to

advance the profession

The Canadian InstituteJune 7, 2011

Public Image of Lobbying

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Private Image of Lobbying

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Magna Carta 1215

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English Bill of Rights 1689

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Lobbying Act 1989 - 2011

WHEREAS free and open access to government is an important matter of public policy;

AND WHEREAS lobbying public office holders is a legitimate activity …

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“A Riddle Wrapped in a Mystery Inside an Enigma” (Churchill)

“Those who do not know the plans of competitors cannot prepare alliances. Those who do not know the lay of the land cannot manoeuvre their forces. Those who do not use local guides cannot take advantage of the ground”.

Sun Tzu, 700 B.C.The Art of War

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Why We are Regulated

$$$

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Advancing the Profession

• What Can Others Do?ParliamentCommissioner of Lobbying

• What Can the Profession Do?

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Parliament/Commissioner

• Amend the Lobbying Act for greater transparency and clarity:Eliminate the “20% Test” for in-house corporate lobbyists to

whom the 5-year ban appliesList names of staff who actually attend reportable meetingsBetter define “oral and arranged” communications

• More prominent role for Commissioner to educate

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What the Profession Can Do

• Respect spirit and letter of the law• Offer guidance on sound public policy and how

governments make decisions rather than running a “dating service”

• Speak truth to power - the client - about prospects for success

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What the Profession Can Do

• Adopt a “no surprises” approach• Understand the environment for lobbyists and just

roll with it

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Transparency – Roll With It

“Arranging a meeting or communicating with a public office holder for the purpose of influencing a grant, contribution, an Act of Parliament or a regulation is a registrable activity under the federal Lobbying Act. In the interests of proactive disclosure my registration for this undertaking can be viewed by following the provided hyperlink: http://www.ocl-cal.gc.ca/eic/site/lobbyist-lobbyiste1.nsf/eng/home”

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What the Profession Can Do

• Don’t hide the profession’s light under a bushelLobbyists are people too

• Mom was right: say “thank you”

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Corn Cob Bob thanks you