New Lobbying Requirements in Saskatchewan for In-House Lobbyists, NFPs and Gifts
September 2020 Charity & NFP Law Update
Published on September 30, 2020

By Ryan M. Prendergast

   
 

Substantial amendments to Saskatchewan’s The Lobbyists Act (the “Act”) came into force September 14, 2020, bringing the Act more in line with other provinces’ legislation, as well as improving transparency and accountability. Changes to the Act were introduced through The Lobbyists Amendment Act, 2019, which received Royal Assent on July 3, 2020. In the provincial government’s announcement describing the amendments, then Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan indicated that “[t]his legislation will ensure the public knows who is lobbying and who plans to lobby elected officials in Saskatchewan.”

The Act applies to “individuals who are paid to lobby by a client (a consultant lobbyist) and organizations with employees whose duties include lobbying on their behalf (an in-house lobbyist),” according to the government’s announcement. Among the legislated changes:

  • A new provision prohibiting in-house lobbyists or consultant lobbyists from providing gifts, favours or other benefits to public office holders.
  • Requiring non-profit organizations, without a charitable mandate, to register any in-house lobbyists. There will be an exception for non-profit charitable organizations with less than five employees who spend a total of less than 30 hours annually lobbying.
  • A threshold reduction for registration as an in-house lobbyist from 100 hours to 30 hours annually.

Ontario’s threshold registration for in-house lobbyists is set at 50 hours annually, pursuant to sections 5 (persons and partnerships) and 6 (organizations) of the Lobbyists Registration Act, 1998.

See the August 2019 Charity & NFP Law Update for more information on lobbying and elections legislation in Canada.

   
 

Read the September 2020 Charity & NFP Law Update