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How many times have Public Officials, Councillors and the Mayor met with developers and other lobby groups this year? What was discussed in these meetings? Where have these meetings occurred? At a restaurant, golf club, elsewhere? Who paid the bill? These situations can influence decisions. Why is there no public record of these meetings?
Tax payers have a right to know as their hard earned dollars pay the salaries of these individuals. Public officials have a fiduciary duty to be transparent in their dealings with potential lobby groups. Every meeting between lobbyists and staff or public officials must be on the public record and accessible to ratepayers.
Transparency is the foundation of trust in local government, but it is also the area where municipalities most often stumble. Prince Edward County has spent a large portion of its council time in recent months behind closed doors, deliberating on land sales, development disputes, and personnel matters. While many of those sessions are permitted under the Municipal Act, the optics are troubling. To restore public confidence, the County must go beyond the legal minimum and adopt stronger tools of accountability—starting with a lobbyist registry.
Why a lobbyist registry matters
Lobbyist registries require individuals or organizations who seek to influence municipal decision-making to publicly disclose who they are, who they represent, and what issue they are lobbying about. Without such a system, residents are left in the dark about who has the Mayor’s or councillors’ ear when critical issues like zoning changes, subdivision approvals, or land sales are on the table.
In smaller communities like Prince Edward County, informal networks and personal relationships are often part of how business gets done. But that closeness can create perceptions—fair or not—of backroom dealing. A transparent registry would ensure residents know who is trying to shape policy and why.
What other municipalities have done
Several Ontario municipalities have already set the standard.
- Toronto established Canada’s first municipal lobbyist registry in 2008, following a public inquiry into corruption. It requires lobbyists to register online before meeting with councillors or staff. The registry is fully searchable by the public.
- Ottawa introduced its registry in 2012. It goes further by requiring lobbyists to disclose not only meetings with elected officials but also emails, phone calls, and informal chats if they are intended to influence decision-making. The Integrity Commissioner oversees compliance.
- Hamilton adopted a lobbyist registry in 2021, after concerns were raised about developer influence in local planning matters. Although not as extensive as Toronto’s or Ottawa’s, it still ensures that citizens can see which individuals and companies are pressing councillors on specific developments.
- Mississauga and Brampton also have registries, both tied directly to their codes of conduct, meaning councillors and lobbyists can face penalties for failing to comply.
The lesson for PEC is simple: lobbyist registries are no longer experimental—they are becoming the norm.
What Prince Edward County should do
Adopting a registry does not need to be complicated. At a minimum, the County should:
- Require all lobbyists—whether developers, consultants, or interest groups—to register online before contacting councillors or senior staff.
- Publish the registry in an open, searchable format on the County’s website.
- Define “lobbying” broadly enough to include meetings, emails, and phone calls, not just formal delegations.
- Assign oversight to the Integrity Commissioner, who can issue annual reports on compliance.
- Provide training for councillors and staff to ensure they understand how to direct lobbyists to register.
Conclusion
Prince Edward County is at a crossroads. Major land-use decisions, heritage preservation battles, and infrastructure projects will shape the community for decades. Residents deserve to know who is trying to influence those choices. By adopting a lobbyist registry—following the lead of Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton—Council would not just comply with the spirit of transparency. It would send a clear message: the County belongs to its residents, not to those who can get the best access behind closed doors.