Information & Ethics committee  I believe it was fair that there have been some positive changes, but I do believe that certain sections are not reasonable when practically applied, nor do we see the notable issues that require these revisions as a whole. Generally, the consultation process has been fair and open.

Information & Ethics committee  No. We provided the same consistent information in this testimony in prior submissions.

Information & Ethics committee  I would say, echoing the same comments, that the code of conduct by the office of the lobbying commissioner is separate and distinct. A lobbyist's reputation and their ability to operate is through trusted transparency that is highly contingent on their reputation of maintaining that level of transparency and trust.

Information & Ethics committee  To capture that, our version and what we see as ethical lobbying is ensuring ethical transparency in all activities. It is built on the respect for a system that Canadians can trust. The objective is to avoid the sense of obligation and to avoid leveraging close relationships, and instead engage in sharing information for the purpose of better public policy.

Information & Ethics committee  Yes, Canada has one of the world's highest standards of transparency in lobbying. Naturally, it is an industry of individuals who are risk-averse, as several witnesses have already said to date, because our current system has such a high standard. There is no widespread issue of this nature to require this type of overreach.

Information & Ethics committee  Keeping the current code language around “reasonable” limits is accessible for many, because we don't believe there is a systemic issue of the kind you've just identified. That is not happening to allow for this need of specificity. There is an opportunity to make sure that we are maintaining that high standard of disclosure and transparency.

Information & Ethics committee  No. There has been virtually no signal that there are any systemic issues, or that there is any need.... These changes will not result in any adverse activity and will maintain a high ethical standard for lobbyists.

Information & Ethics committee  I think it goes to the fact that many of us are naturally risk-averse in the industry of lobbying and any government relations activities. The current system sets such a high standard already. We want to maintain that high ethical space and increase transparency, and not dilute that.

Information & Ethics committee  Sure. Thank you. That was a good point. There were many things that we saw improved. One that the membership really appreciated was the update to the preamble. There was an acknowledgement of transparent ethical lobbying and that it is a legitimate part of the public policy process to help inform federal public officials.

Information & Ethics committee  We do believe—and the membership was fully consulted—that moving back to or maintaining the “reasonable hospitality” wording, as opposed to a dollar limit, is more appropriate. It allows for a more common-sense application. We cannot imagine lavish food or lavish drinks, if you can recall many Parliament Hill receptions.

Information & Ethics committee  I'll leave that to the commissioner. I'd hesitate to create a definition around “reasonable”. I think it really implies that common-sense view. There's also the opportunity for anyone who has a level of confusion to reach out to the office. They do provide clarity and guidance on very specific circumstances.

Information & Ethics committee  That's great. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. Thank you for inviting the Government Relations Institute of Canada, or GRIC, to discuss the draft third edition of the Lobbyists' Code of Conduct. Let me begin by introducing GRIC and our mandate.