Exemptions to Lobbying

Governance requires constant communication within government, between governments in all their various forms, and with businesses, other organizations and citizens. There are many, many of these conversations every day.

The purpose of the Saskatchewan lobbyist registry is to capture and report on only those conversations where someone is being paid to communicate with the provincial government in an attempt to influence that government in such a way as to benefit the party paying that person.

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.  Some organizations are required by their own legislation to make their discussions with government transparent to the public and are therefore not required to disclose anything under The Lobbyists Act.  Some of these organizations include:

• The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), and the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)
• Saskatchewan School Boards Association;
• Universities

Some individuals are also exempt, such as volunteers who are not receiving payment and employees of federal and provincial/territorial governments when acting in their official capacities.

Relevant Legislation

clause 4(1)(c) of the Act provides that the Act does not apply to officers, directors or employees of local authorities. Universities are within the definition of local authority in 2(1) (j) so they are not required to register their in-house lobbying activities.

clause 4(1)(d) provides that the Act does not apply to officers, directors or employees of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities or the Saskatchewan School Boards Association

clause 4(1)(i) provides that the Act does not apply to officers, directors, or employees of a charitable non-profit with fewer than 5 employees and who do not meet the 30 hour threshold.

clause 4(1)(k) a person acting as a volunteer who does not receive a payment

There are a number of additional exemptions. ** For a full list of those individuals or organizations who are exempt please refer to s.4 in The Lobbyists Act.

If you have a question of whether communications or intended communications are registerable please contact the Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists.