Number of federal lobbyists up 24 per cent

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 Resource 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 2013-14 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 on particular issues. Certain individuals may register to discuss a specific policy and 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 was the House of Commons, as MPs were regularly contacted for meetings with industry groups, charities, corporations and other organizations.