Collier | Lobbyist registry at city hall a 'good thing'

Windsor city council on Monday night will debate whether to create a lobbyist registry at city hall.

CBC Windsor municipal affairs columnist Cheryl Collier says such a registry is a good idea.

“Anything that increases government transparency and accountability is a good thing,” Collier said.

Collier said both for-profit and non-profit businesses and organizations lobby all levels of government in an attempt to shape policy.

In Toronto, where a lobbyist registry exists, the most lobbied topics including economic development projects and city planning.

“It’s on the for-profit side we see more activity that you want to keep track of,” Collier said.

Collier only knows of lobbyist registries in Toronto and Ottawa. Both cities have full-time councillors.

“If you’re a larger municipality with more money to spend, you have more lobbyists,” Collier said.

She called Toronto’s registry, which is voluntary, “not bad, but not great.”

Collier said Hamilton is also looking into creating a lobbyist registry.

She said a registry could lead to the public trusting politicians more than they do now. Collier said trust of politicians is “at an all-time low.”

“Increasing trust is something we need today. We see a link between trust levels and the amount of engagement with have with politicians,” Collier said. “Democracy suffers if we don’t have these things in place.”

However, Collier said any sort of new department or job comes with a cost.

"All these things cost money and that’s what council has to decide."