Lobbyist Registry

The purpose of the Lobbyist Registry is to enhance public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the decision making processes. Lobbying activities are open and accessible to the public.

Anyone who expects to engage in Lobbying (as defined in the City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 140) of TTC Commissioners, their staff or any TTC employee or officer will be required to register on-line with the City of Toronto’s Lobbyist Registry under the terms set out in Municipal Code, Chapter 140 which will be in force commencing February 11, 2008.

In accordance with the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and for the purposes of the Lobbying Registry, the TTC is a local board (restricted definition) of the City.

Lobbyists are classified into three groups :

• “Consultant Lobbyist” is paid to lobby on behalf of his or her client whether the client is for-profit or not-for-profit entity. A consultant lobbyist is also a person who arranges meetings between public office holders and any other person for the purpose of lobbying.
• “In-House Lobbyist” is employed by a business or a professional, business, industry, trade or labour not-for-profit association to lobby on behalf of his or her employer.
• “Voluntary Unpaid Lobbyist” is a person who volunteer’s to lobby for a business or not-for-profit professional business, industry or trade organization.

• Lobbying without registering will be an offence liable, upon conviction, for a fine of up to $25,000 in the case of the first offence and $100,000 for subsequent offences.

For additional information concerning the Lobby Registration process, including fees and contact information, please go to Lobbyist Registrar at Toronto.ca.

To communicate with a public office holder on the following:

1. Development, introduction, passage, defeat, amendment or repeal of a by-law, bill or resolution on any matter, by Council, a local board (restricted definition), the Board of Health, or a committee, another body or individual under delegated authority.
2. Without limiting Subsection A, the following:
   1. Development, approval, amendment or termination of a policy, program, directive or guideline.
   2. Procurement of goods, services or construction and awarding a contract.
   3. Approving, approving with conditions, or denying an application for a service, grant, planning approval, permit or other licence or permission.
   4. Awarding any financial contribution, grant or other financial benefit by or on behalf of the City, a local board (restricted definition) or the Board of Health.
   5. Transferring from the City, a local board (restricted definition) or the Board of Health any interest in or asset of any business, enterprise or institution.
   6. Determining the model and method of delivering a service.
3. The matters noted in Subsections A and B with necessary modifications, if considered by local board (restricted definition), the Board of Health or another body or individual under delegated authority.
4. In relation to a consultant lobbyist referred to in Article II or an individual as referred to in § 140-28B, to arrange a meeting between a public office holder and any other person.

1. The same meaning as a public office holder as defined in section 156 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006, subject to the exceptions in Subsection B.
2. Does not include a director, officer or other employee of a corporation listed in Schedule A, at the end of this chapter, even though the corporation is, for all or limited purposes, a local board (restricted definition) under section 156 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006.
3. A member of the Board of Health.
4. Individuals appointed by Council, a Standing Committee or a Community Council under delegated authority, or a local board (restricted definition) to an advisory body to provide advice to Council, the Standing Committee, the Community Council or the local board (restricted definition) or to employees of the City or local board (restricted definition).

Note: “public office holder” is defined in section 156 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 to mean,

1. A member of city council and any person on his or her staff,
2. an officer or employee of the City,
3. a member of a local board (restricted definition) of the City and any person on his or her staff,
4. an officer, director or employee of a local board (restricted definition) of the City, and
5. such other person as may be determined by city council who are appointed to any office of body by city council or by a local board (restricted definition) of the City.

Any form of expressive contact and includes oral, written or electronic communication.