What Is Lobbying in Canada?

How Lobbying Works

When a company wants to change a regulation, a non-profit wants to influence a new bill, or an industry group wants to shape a government program, they lobby. This can mean arranging meetings with Members of Parliament, sending written submissions to committees, or hiring professional lobbyists (often called Government Relations or “GR” firms) to advocate on their behalf.

Lobbying is not the same as bribery. It is a legitimate — and often necessary — part of democracy. Environmental groups lobby for climate policy. Tech companies lobby for innovation funding. Health charities lobby for research dollars. The key difference is transparency: in Canada, lobbyists must register and disclose who they are working for and what they are trying to influence.

Who Can Lobby?

The federal Lobbying Act defines three types of lobbyists:

• Consultant lobbyists — Professional lobbyists hired by a client (company, organization, or individual) to communicate with government officials on their behalf. They must register each individual engagement.
• In-house lobbyists (corporate) — Employees of a corporation who spend a significant part of their time (20% or more) lobbying on behalf of their employer.
• In-house lobbyists (organization) — Employees of non-profit organizations, industry associations, or unions whose combined lobbying time exceeds 20% of one full-time position.

The Federal Lobbying Registry

Canada's Registry of Lobbyists is maintained by the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying. It is one of the most comprehensive lobbying transparency systems in the world. All registered lobbyists must disclose:

• Who they are lobbying (which government officials and departments)
• What they are lobbying about (subject matter and specific issues)
• Who is paying them (the client or employer)
• What techniques they are using (meetings, phone calls, written submissions)

This data is updated monthly and available to the public. MyMP.ca pulls from this registry to show you who is lobbying your Member of Parliament.

Why Does Lobbying Matter?

Lobbying shapes the laws that affect your daily life — from the price of your groceries to the rules governing your workplace. When done transparently, lobbying helps governments hear from a diverse range of voices. When done without transparency, it can give well-funded interests outsized influence.

That's why knowing who is lobbying your MP matters. It's not about whether lobbying is good or bad — it's about making sure citizens have the same information as insiders.

Frequently Asked Questions