Saskatoon committee says city doesn't need to track people who are trying to influence decisions

Saskatoon city councillors have unanimously agreed that the city should not create a lobby registry to track people and groups trying to shape policy.

The city's administration had recommended the city should not create a lobby registry. On Wednesday, the city's governance and priorities committee voted in favour of that — sticking with the status quo. 

The admin report presented to the committee, which is comprised of the mayor and city councillors, defined lobbying as "the act of communicating with public office holders in an attempt to influence policy and other decisions."

A registry would require people or groups who want to influence policy to register, which means their lobbying activity would be tracked publicly. 

The administration said that if the city decided to create a registry, there would be a $100,000 startup fee and an annual cost of $115,000 per year to operate it. 

Ward 5 Coun. Randy Donauer says council is held accountable through other city policies, like its purchasing policy and code of conduct — which admin also outlines in the report as a method of tracking those trying to wield influence. 

"I don't think I've ever had anybody that I would call a lobbyist contact me," said Donauer.

"Of course, I'm talking to people all the time, and I'm always dealing with people that do have interests in the decisions that were being made, but I think there's a difference between that: being a resident and being a lobbyist."

The "status quo" recommendation will go on to a city council meeting at a later date for a final decision.

The report from administration said there is already federal and provincial legislation in place for lobbyist registries. It noted there are some communities in other provinces that have registries, but they are based on the provincial legislation.  

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There is no provincial legislation for municipal lobbyist registries here in Saskatchewan.

However, in 2014 the provincial government did pass Bill 120 or the Lobbyist Act. According to the Office of Registrar of Lobbyists Saskatchewan's (ORLS) website, "the Lobbyist Act for Saskatchewan serves to increase government transparency and accountability."

ORLS's website allows the public to view and track all lobbyists and public office holders in provincial government.