Examples of What Is and Isn’t Lobbying Activity

The purpose of The Lobbyists Act is not to impede anyone’s right to communicate with their MLA, a Minister or any public office holder. The purpose is to ensure that those who are paid to attempt to influence a decision are open about their activities so everyone has the opportunity to know who is attempting to influence whom and for what intended outcome.

Some examples of lobbying could include:

• A coalition of businesses hires someone to present their suggestion that an amendment of The Saskatchewan Employment Act should be made to allow for a variation of the definition of “week” with regards to payment of overtime.
• A government relations person buys coffee for a Deputy Minister and talks about regulation changes his company would like.
• A paid advocate for an animal rights group calls for changes to the Wildlife Act and asks the public to get involved and talk to their respective MLA about the topic.
• A seed fertilizer company requests a meeting to inform elected officials and staff about the benefits to consumers, farmers and the environment deriving from plant sciences innovation.
• A representative of a union discusses specific union issues with a public office holder at a social function.

Not all meetings and communications are considered lobbying, nor is everyone who speaks to a public office holder about a specific topic considered a lobbyist. Volunteers, members of certain charitable non-profit boards and government officials speaking to each other in their official capacity are not considered lobbyists.

Examples of what is NOT considered lobbying:

• A presentation is made within the framework of a judicial or adjudicative proceeding such as an employment tribunal.
• Representation is made within the framework of a parliamentary commission or public forum where the proceedings are a matter of public record, such as during a town hall meeting or public consultation session.
• You have been asked by a public office holder to speak on a specific topic.
• You are talking to your MLA about something that impacts the constituency, not you directly.