Toronto's lobbyist registry, the first of its kind in the country, opens for business today, providing a new tool to pull back the curtain on who talks to whom at city hall.
The registry has been hailed by some councillors as long overdue but has stirred unease among others as a potential chill on their dealings with the public. Professional lobbyists, long accustomed to recording their contacts with senior governments, are generally positive.
The registry was to have been launched in August, but council last year halved the budget for the five-person office led by veteran administrator Marilyn Abraham. Most of the funds were later reinstated.
In a smaller hiccup last month, council questioned a $150 fee for paper-based registration (a strategy intended to spur free online signups) that briefly threatened today's startup.
Despite criticism of the registry - too many loopholes for some and too much scrutiny for others - advocates say it will promote openness in government.
"Some people would prefer we have no checks and balances and we end up with situations that cast aspersions on how we do business at city hall," said Councillor Adrian Heaps (Ward 35, Scarborough Southwest). "We're too big since amalgamation not to have the checks and balances."
The city's computer-leasing scandal sparked the 2002 Bellamy inquiry that recommended a formal system for the public to see, with ease, who talks to whom at city hall, and on what topics.
"It's a protection mechanism against the wrong kind of business being conducted at city hall," said Mr. Heaps, who acknowledged that there will be a learning curve in the first few months of operation.
Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti (Ward 7 York West) said he has reservations about a system that replaces the voluntary lobbyist sign-in sheet in councillor offices.
"It will discourage anyone from talking to elected officials," he said. "You will see things blown way out of proportion. When that happens, you will see people not wanting to talk to their councillors for fear of being tainted."
Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby (Ward 4 Etobicoke Centre) said she is uneasy over the rise in city-funded oversight bodies, including the integrity commissioner, the ombudsman and the lobbyist registrar.
"I don't like the feeling of Big Brother breathing over my shoulder," she said. "I do my job honestly and properly."
The federal and provincial governments have had registries for years, but Toronto is the only municipality in the country to operate its own system. (Quebec administers a lobbyist registry for its municipalities).
Veteran lobbyist Bernie Morton, a former city council aide, welcomed Toronto's registry, which was permitted under 2006 legislation that gave the city new powers of self-government.
"If you are doing business with city hall ... there should be no reason why you would not want to declare what your activities are," said Mr. Morton of Sussex Strategy.
Mr. Morton, one of several outside experts who advised the city in the development of the registry, said its launch is "politically significant" for Mayor David Miller, who promised the tool as part of a wider commitment to increased transparency at city hall.
Ms. Abraham conceded that there will be a lot of "what if" questions this year about who is and who is not covered by the new bylaw.
Homeowners, for example, are not required to register when contacting a city official or politician on an issue related to their primary residences. But a lawyer or contractor would have to register when acting for a homeowner in private meetings, such as a planning request, held outside any regular public forum.
The Toronto Environmental Alliance, a grassroots advocacy group with paid staff, would not have to sign up when they press city officials and politicians on smog-reduction initiatives. However, the Canadian Automobile Manufacturers Association would have to register because their members could be affected financially by bylaw changes.
As well, city unions do not have to register to discuss current labour contracts with councillors or Toronto staff, but would have to list whom they contact to promote or oppose a new council policy initiative.
Ms. Abraham, who describes the registry as "a work in progress," made a plea for patience.
"It will take time for a period of maturity, review and experience before people find out how to use it," she said. "I just want to give it a fair shake.
How it works
Lobbyists are required to register each issue they plan to raise with elected officials, their aides and city officials.
Lobbyists must identify their clients, the subject matter, the public official being lobbied and the time frame for discussions.
The information will be available on the city's website, http://www.toronto.ca/lobbying;
Former bureaucrats or politicians must not lobby the city for 12 months after leaving office.
Those who lobby without registering face a fine of $25,000 for a first offence, and $100,000 for subsequent offences.
Jennifer Lewington