The provincial government has proposed legislation to modernize and improve New Brunswick’s lobbyist registry.
The registry and the Lobbyists’ Registration Act have not been significantly updated since 2014.
Justice Minister Robert McKee said the law has not kept up with changes made by other provinces or the federal government.
The proposed changes would require all lobbyists to register before engaging in lobbying.
They would also give the integrity commissioner the power to investigate instances of non-compliance with the Act.
If passed, other changes include:
- Requiring monthly reporting on lobbying activities to ensure timely and verifiable transparency
- Requiring the development of a code of conduct to establish standards of behaviour and promote ethics
- A one-year transition period after proclamation to allow for engagement, regulatory development and education before administrative penalties come into place.
The online registry would also be updated to streamline reporting and make the tool more user-friendly.
