Critics push back against proposed changes to cooling-off period for lobbyists, say they will restrict freedom of assembly

A proposed change to the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct would reduce the length of time lobbyists are banned from engaging specific designated public office holders after participating in political activity.

Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger told the House Ethics Committee on Feb. 3 that a proposed update to the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct covering political work was 'carefully crafted to achieve its objective of restricting lobbying if a sense of obligation could reasonably be seen to exist and to provide the greatest clarity for lobbyists.'The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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BY JESSE CNOCKAERT

February 27, 2023

Proposed changes to the Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct are drawing criticism from lobbyists who argue the reforms go too far, while others warn that the changes would create unethical loopholes in the lobbying regime.

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