Whereas the Lobbyists Transparency Act formerly the Lobbyists Registration Act requires individuals and organizations who lobby public office holders, and meet specific criteria, to register their lobbying activities in an online public registry; And whereas the goal of the BC Lobbyists Transparency Act is to promote transparency in lobbying and government decision-making: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government establish and administer an opt-in lobbyist registration and regulation system for municipal governments, similar to the provincial mechanism under the BC Lobbyists Transparency Act.
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs The local government legislative framework in British Columbia seeks to encourage and enable local governments to establish services that are desired in their communities. Local governments currently have the ability to establish a voluntary lobbyist registry enabling them to provide transparency and accountability while not limiting citizens in their ability to direct access and participation in local government decision making. It also offers local governments autonomy over the administration and costs of a lobbyist registry. The Province is not currently considering establishing a centralized lobbyist registry for local governments. A centralized system would not meet the varied needs of BCs unique and diverse communities and the Province has taken the view that local approaches are best suited to the individual needs of local governments. As such, the Province has no role in the establishment and administration of voluntary andor mandatory registries for lobbyists of local governments.