Whereas other provinces have enacted legislation that allows for municipal lobbyist registries ranging from Quebec, which requires municipal lobbyists to register in the provincial registry, to Ontario, which allows for municipalities to set up their own registries with enforcement powers; And whereas British Columbia does not currently allow municipalities to use the provincial lobbyist registry nor does it extend the legal authorities municipalities would need to enforce lobbyist rules with a local registry: Therefore be it resolved that the Province of BC provide municipalities with the ability to register lobbyists, create rules for lobbyists conduct in their interactions with elected officials and public servants, and the ability to enforce those rules.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs Housing The Government of BC believes in openness and transparency. This is why a provincial lobbyist registry was created in 1996. Currently, local governments can take voluntary approaches to establishing a municipal lobbyist registry. For example, they can establish a voluntary lobbyist registry in their community, as has been done in the City of Surrey. Self-declared lobbyists voluntarily file a form with the City of Surrey to provide the citizens of the City with access to information about persons who attempt to influence decision-making. However, as noted in the resolution, current authorities do not allow local governments with a registry the ability to enforce compliance. If local governments, through the Union of BC Municipalities, express interest in establishing mandatory lobbyist registries, the Province is willing to discuss the matter further.