Winnipeg should create mandatory lobby registry, says councillor

Article content

Winnipeg City Councillor Shawn Nason wants the City to investigate the possibility of creating a mandatory lobbyist registry. A voluntary registry currently exists for those seeking to lobby the public service or elected officials.

If the motion is passed, the public service will conduct a cross-jurisdictional scan of Canadian municipalities that have created a mandatory registry. Also, a review will be conducted regarding civic or provincial bylaw or charter changes needed to create a mandatory registry. In his motion, Nason (Transcona) said the current registry may not be effective when it comes to openness and transparency. He said there’s a need for enhanced integrity in government decision making.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Winnipeg should create mandatory lobby registry, says councillor Back to video

“We are seeing a lot of lobbying, but there are not a lot of people registered as lobbyists,” Nason told the Winnipeg Sun on Tuesday. “From an openness and transparency perspective, those who are lobbying heavy of the public administration and elected officials (should be known to the public).”

Nason said the onus of registration is currently on lobbyists, adding the public service and elected officials should encourage registration. After a recent openness and transparency debate with colleagues, Nason found only two registered lobbyists with the City.

Currently, Russell G. Wyatt of R. G. Wyatt Consulting and Advisory Services, and Joe Masi of Joe Masi Consulting are the only lobbyists registered in 2021.

“With these master plans and heavy construction, the megaprojects that are happening, you’d think there’d be a fair bit of lobbying going on,” Nason said. “There are major cities that have a mandatory list. I do hope my council colleagues accept it and allow for the report to go forward.”

Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) told the Sun on Tuesday the matter isn’t of great concern to him, adding some lobbyists are not complying or are unaware of the voluntary registry. He said he’s fine with the status quo, adding he’s never seen the particular need for mandatory registration.

“People should be able to call up their councillors,” he said. “We shouldn’t try to create too many roadblocks for people contacting elected officials. To me, I don’t think it’s ever really deterred anybody. I don’t mind it being voluntary. It’s better than nothing. But I also have to say, for the love of God, we’ve got a pandemic going on, our debt has tripled in the last ten years. I’m going to focus on that.”

jsnell@postmedia.com

Twitter @JamesWestgateSn