LOBBY GROUPS Social Studies 9

Inquiry Question: To what extent should Lobby Groups impact the law making process in Canada through their influence on government officials? What 3 smaller inquiry questions do you need to answer before you can answer the big inquiry question? What is a lobby group? What kind of influence do lobby groups have? What lobby groups are in Canada?

Question 1: What is a lobby group? Facts on Congress: Lobby Groups Issues for Canadians Textbook Lobbyists in the USA Lobbyists-The Onion Example of lobbying commercial

Question 2: What kind influence do lobby groups have? FYI: The Media is a Watchdog of Government. What does that mean? Question 2: What kind influence do lobby groups have? John Oliver: Tobacco Industry Guns in America Vice News-Guns (26 minutes) Merchants of Doubt Are lobby groups all bad? Question 3: What type of lobby groups are in Canada?

Meet a Lobbyist This Chantal… she represents the medical industry of Canada! She: works with politicians in committee work (especially with the Minister of… arranges for experts to come in and talk to them pressures the government to make changes that the “medical industry” wants to see. Chantal Courchesne Lobbyist for: The Canadian Medical Industry

Meet a Lobbyist An Example: In 2007, Chantal helped to have a cigarillo banned in Canada because it was marketed to look like candy (obviously to encouraged young people to try it) Chantal Courchesne Lobbyist for: The Canadian Medical Industry

Meet a Lobbyist She didn’t do this by herself. She worked with other lobby groups to get attention for this issue: Canadian Coalition for Action on Tobacco Canadian Cancer Society Non-smokers Rights Association Lung Association Dentists Association Heart and Stroke Foundation

Other Canadian Lobbyists List at least 15 different lobby groups in Canada. Beside each, list an issue that they may be lobbying for.

The Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct Act After a number of scandals involving lobbyists, Canada decided to tighten restrictions on lobbying…. Bill C-4 – The Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct Act passed on May 17, 2004 set new rules for lobbyists Guess… What rules do you think there should be?

Lobbyists and MP’s are Legally Bound Today, lobbyists are closely watched and legally bound: All lobbyists must be registered Cannot meet about something that will directly profit the lobbyist or the organization (example: a lobbyist weapons developer meeting with the Minister of Defense to sell weapons/planes Illegal for a lobbyist to talk to a politician without an appointment (no casual conversations ex in the hall, at a restaurant, etc) Records must be kept of topics discussed Disclose who they represent and reasons for approach Provide accurate info and not knowingly mislead Avoid exercising improper influence Avoid divulging confidential info without consent

A Difference B/W Canada and the US? There is a lot of concern in the US about the influence lobbyists have over politicians There will always be concern (in both Canada and the US) that lobbyists will “pay off” politicians Can we trust them? Remember the Onion’s Spoof on Lobbyists

ANSWER THE INQUIRY QUESTION! Provide an insightful, well supported response to the inquiry question below using case studies and examples. BIG INQUIRY QUESTION: To what extent should Lobby Groups impact the law making process in Canada through their influence on government officials? Satisfactory