Number of federal lobbyists up sharply
Commissioner reports MPs are top target
OTTAWA — The number of active lobbyists trying to influence the federal Conservative government has sharply increased over the past five years, according to a new report, with MPs, Industry Canada, Finance and Natural Resources Canada among the main targets.
The number of lobbyists looking to persuade government of certain policies and programs increased 24 per cent over the last half-decade, to about 8,500 in 201314 from roughly 6,900 in 2009-10, according to Lobbying Commissioner Karen Shepherd’s annual report tabled Thursday in the House of Commons.
The number of lobbyists has increased at a time when many organizations have multiple people trying to persuade the government of their point of view on particular issues over the course of a year. Certain individuals may register to discuss a specific policy with government, then deregister once their work is completed.
However, the number of lobbyists listed in the registry at any given moment has remained relatively stable: from 5,050 to 5,258.
Lobbyists are required by law to file reports when “oral and arranged communication” occurs with a designated public-office holder, such as ministers, backbench MPs, senators, politicians’ staff members and department officials.
The government institution most often identified by lobbyists in monthly communication reports was the House of Commons, as MPs were regularly contacted for meetings with industry groups, charities, corporations and other organizations.
Industry Canada, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, Finance Canada and Natural Resources Canada rounded out the top five government institutions most often listed by lobbyists in monthly reports. The most popular subject matters listed in the monthly reports were, in order: industry, international trade, health, environment and energy.
In-house lobbyists employed by not-for-profit organizations such as industry groups account for the largest number of lobbyists, followed by in-house lobbyists for corporations. Consultant lobbyists (individuals who communicate on behalf of clients) represented the smallest proportion of lobbyists, but often have multiple clients and registrations in the federal registry.
The busiest organizations lobbying the Conservative government over the past 12 months were: Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (199 communications with MPs and federal officials); Telus Corp. (138 communications); the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (138 communications); the Canadian Medical Association (134); and the Mining Association of Canada (129).