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Lobbying

Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller should make clear that the independence of federal cultural institutions includes the ability of their officials to speak with journalists without those journalists being subjected to political vetting or institutional pressure, writes Samira Mohyeddin. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Critique shouldn’t open the door to communications chill for cultural bodies

Access to government is a legitimate privilege of democratic advocacy, but it should never become leverage over journalists.

Sponsored travel by MPs dropped to its lowest point since 2010, and Democracy Watch's Duff Conacher says the changes to the lobbying rules could force the practice into extinction. The Hill Times file photograph

MP sponsored travel failing to launch under new lobbying rules

Fifteen MPs travelled on a total of 19 sponsored trips last year, totalling more than $78,000 in comped expenses. This marks the second year of decline for junkets since the post-pandemic peak in 2023 and subsequent rule changes.

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People pictured May 7, 2024, at the annual Politics and Pen party, the Writers' Trust's fundraiser for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize in Political Writing, at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. The party usually attracts more than 500 people, including loads of lobbyists. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What makes a ‘good’ lobbyist? A lot

Pascal Chan, vice-president of strategic policy and supply chains at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and an in-house lobbyist, said that a good lobbyist needs to be trusted, ‘period.’

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