Islanders will benefit from a more transparent government with the introduction of an online registry for lobbyists.
A new Lobbyists Registration Act requires anyone who is paid to lobby the provincial government to register on a publicly accessible website beginning April 1, 2019. Lobbyists will be required to pay a registration fee that is valid for six months.
“Citizens and organizations must be able to convey their needs, ideas, and perspectives to public office holders,” said Justice and Public Safety Minister Jordan Brown. “Lobbying is a legitimate activity when appropriately conducted and, to ensure transparency, public office holders and all Islanders should know who is undertaking lobbying activities.”
The three categories of lobbyists required to register are:
· Consultant lobbyist: an individual paid to lobby on behalf of a client;
· In-house lobbyist: an employee whose duties are to lobby for at least 50 hours in a three-month period;
· Senior officer: the senior officer of an organization that employs an in-house lobbyist.
The new requirements for lobbyists in Prince Edward Island are consistent with other provinces in Canada.
For information about the Lobbyists Registration Act visit https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/lobbyists or contact Steven Dowling, acting director, Consumer, Corporate and Financial Services, Department of Justice and Public Safety 902-368-4551
Media contact:
Donna Hooper
Department of Justice and Public Safety
902-213-1507
dmhooper@gov.pe.ca