A Message To Executive Committee & Councillors

This might come as a shock to you but believe it or not unions and non-profit groups, and even some individuals, might have members whose character could be questionable so why would you exempt these groups from rules proposed for lobbying?

Lobbyists face new rule book
Council considers registry, fines to keep 'em honest
By ZEN RURYK, CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF

Lobbyists would face a fine of up to $25,000 the first time they violated newly proposed rules designed to put the spotlight on dealings at City Hall.

A subsequent violation would carry an even stiffer fine of up to $100,000.

Toronto's influential executive committee is slated Monday to look at spending $240,000 this year to create a new lobbyist registry. The proposal includes the hiring of a lobbyist registrar and an administrative assistant.

"Crooks don't sign in," said Councillor Case Ootes, who yesterday argued that the registry is not the answer for stopping wrongdoing.

"We're going to collect a lot of information from people who are honest to begin with," he said. "Those that want to do wrong are not going to sign in -- whether it be on the political side or the lobbyist side."

The initiative would require lobbyists to follow a code of conduct and -- according to a city report -- disclose "who is lobbying whom on what."

Councillor Joe Mihevc, a member of the executive committee, argued the lobbyist registry is required to prevent people from "slipping" into impropriety.

"I think most crooks start out as decent human beings and very often slip into crookery -- and that's what you're trying to avoid," Mihevc said.

Ootes, meanwhile, complained that the proposed plan also includes too many exemptions.

UNION REPS

The list of those exempt includes union representatives who are intent on addressing labour relations issues with councillors.

Political activists and others connected with non-profit organizations are also exempt. But there are provisions that the exempted non-profit organization cannot represent an industry or "for-profit entity."

The exempted non-profit group also cannot be a so-called front for a commercial interest.