Government and Lobbyists

Video – What Is A Lobbyist? feature=related feature=related Activity: read pages 51 – 53 in your textbook and complete the SEE-I reading comprehension chart as you read Be prepared to share your answers!

Meet a Lobbyist This Chantal… she represents the medical industry of Canada! She:  Works with politicians in committee work  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 it 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-Smoker’s Rights Association  Lung Association  Dentist’s Association  Heart and Stroke Foundation

Meet a Lobbyist This Josh! He:  Works with politicians in committee work  Arranges for experts to come in and talk to them  Pressures the government to make changes that the Canadian communities wants to see. Joshua Bates Lobbyist for: The Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Meet a Lobbyist Example:  Politicians will ask him to find a number of “shovel-ready” projects that they could invest in, example: to build a new university or establish a potash mine)… why would the government want to do this?  He may ask for more money from the federal gov’t for:  RCMP policing in Calgary  Help with public transit in Montreal  Some of the “gas tax” revenue to be sent to the municipal gov’ts Joshua Bates Lobbyist for: The Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Other Canadian Lobbyists There are more than… 5000 registered lobbyists in Canada! Re: The Hill Times – Feb 16,  Canadian Nuclear Association  Rogers Communication  Brewers Association of Canada  Retailers Association of Canada  Suncor Energy  Canadian Gas Association  Canadian Petroleum Producers Association  Canadian AIDS Society  Air Canada  Grain Growers of Canada  Canadian Recording Industry  Environmental Defence Canada  General Electric Canada Individually, write down an issue that you think one of these lobbyists might have to deal with

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 MPs 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 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? Thank You For Smoking: Lobbying Against Lobbyists: The Onion’s Spoof on Lobbyists: E

You’re a Lobbyist! Agriculture – Farmers or Ranchers Tobacco Manufacturers Gun Manufacturers International Toy Manufacturers National Food Safety Inspectors Music/entertainment industry Doctors and Nurses Pretend you are a lobbyist for one of the above groups and decide what your issue will be. Write a persuasive paragraph convincing the government to see your point of view.

HOW EFFECTIVELY DOES CANADA'S FEDERAL POLITICAL SYSTEM GOVERN CANADA FOR ALL CANADIANS? The Big Question:

A Voice for FNMI People Read page 44 in your text This is one problem the government still currently faces – they try to be as inclusive as possible, but some people will always feel excluded or discriminated against -- What does a government need in order to be fair and democratic for all citizens? Does our government meet that criteria?

Government Criteria: Elected representatives for all ridings Government accountability through law and the judicial system Lobbyists to provide alternative perspectives All citizens have the right to engage in politics & vote Informed through media of government’s actions Media is multi-cultural, as are (most) government policies Freedom of speech, religion, etc. (Charter freedoms) Law-making process

SKITS! In groups of 3 – 5, get together and create a short skit (about 3 mins) relating to the topics we’ve studied. This could include:  Law-making process  Elections  Political parties  Lobbyists  Media/interviews They can be funny, creative, a parody, whatever you want –- as long as it is informative and has a point. Presentation time = 2:45. As soon as we’re done = early dismissal!