There are differences, but I don't know if there's confusion.
For example, the federal system requires the filing of monthly communications reports that the lobbyists would have with designated public office holders, as do B.C. and Alberta. Manitoba has legislation; it's not in force. Ontario and Quebec do not have requirements to file monthly communications reports.
Typically, the provincial systems are more about registration processes and the federal system has a bit more of a regulatory component. Some provincial systems have lobbyist codes of conduct that have the force of law, such as Quebec. On the federal side, the code of conduct does not have the force of law, though it's enforced through reports to Parliament.
I think the issue is the role of codes of conduct. For example, the Ontario registrar has made it clear to us in various presentations and discussions that she's looking at eliminating the 20% rule but not moving forward with the introduction of any form of a code of conduct.
Provincial systems are a little worried about resources for managing codes of conduct, I think. In Quebec's case it's a little different, since it has the force of law, so if you violate the code of conduct in Quebec it could carry the same sorts of penalties as violating the act itself.