Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada
Symbol of the Government of Canada

Search

Version of document from 2003-07-02 to 2004-05-16:

Lobbyists Registration Act

R.S.C., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.)

An Act respecting the registration of lobbyists

[1988, c. 53, assented to 13th September, 1988]
Preamble

WHEREAS free and open access to government is an important matter of public interest;

AND WHEREAS lobbying public office holders is a legitimate activity;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable that public office holders and the public be able to know who is attempting to influence government;

AND WHEREAS a system for the registration of paid lobbyists should not impede free and open access to government;

NOW THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Short Title

Marginal note:Short title

 This Act may be cited as the Lobbyists Registration Act.

Interpretation

Marginal note:Definitions

  •  (1) In this Act,

    Ethics Counsellor

    conseiller

    Ethics Counsellor means the Ethics Counsellor designated pursuant to section 10.1; (conseiller)

    organization

    organisation

    organization includes

    • (a) a business, trade, industry, professional or voluntary organization,

    • (b) a trade union or labour organization,

    • (c) a chamber of commerce or board of trade,

    • (d) a partnership, association, charitable society, coalition or interest group,

    • (e) a government, other than the Government of Canada, and

    • (f) a corporation without share capital incorporated to pursue, without financial gain to its members, objects of a national, provincial, patriotic, religious, philanthropic, charitable, scientific, artistic, social, professional or sporting character or other similar objects; (organisation)

    payment

    paiement

    payment means money or anything of value and includes a contract, promise or agreement to pay money or anything of value; (paiement)

    prescribed

    Version anglaise seulement

    prescribed means prescribed by regulation; (Version anglaise seulement)

    public office holder

    titulaire d’une charge publique

    public office holder means any officer or employee of Her Majesty in right of Canada and includes

    • (a) a member of the Senate or the House of Commons and any person on the staff of such a member,

    • (b) a person who is appointed to any office or body by or with the approval of the Governor in Council or a minister of the Crown, other than a judge receiving a salary under the Judges Act or the lieutenant governor of a province,

    • (c) an officer, director or employee of any federal board, commission or other tribunal as defined in the Federal Courts Act,

    • (d) a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, and

    • (e) a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; (titulaire d’une charge publique)

    registrar

    directeur

    registrar means the registrar designated pursuant to section 8. (directeur)

  • Marginal note:Subsidiary corporation

    (2) For the purposes of this Act, a corporation is a subsidiary of another corporation if

    • (a) securities of the first-mentioned corporation to which are attached more than fifty per cent of the votes that may be cast to elect directors of the first-mentioned corporation are held, otherwise than by way of security only, directly or indirectly, whether through one or more subsidiaries or otherwise, by or for the benefit of the other corporation; and

    • (b) the votes attached to those securities are sufficient, if exercised, to elect a majority of the directors of the first-mentioned corporation.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 2
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 1
  • 2002, c. 8, s. 182

Application

Marginal note:Binding on Her Majesty

 This Act is binding on Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province.

Marginal note:Restriction on application

  •  (1) This Act does not apply to any of the following persons when acting in their official capacity, namely,

    • (a) members of the legislature of a province or persons on the staff of such members;

    • (b) employees of the government of a province;

    • (c) members of a council or other statutory body charged with the administration of the civil or municipal affairs of a city, town, municipality or district, persons on the staff of such members or officers or employees of a city, town, municipality or district;

    • (d) members of the council of a band as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Indian Act or of the council of an Indian band established by an Act of Parliament, persons on their staff or employees of such a council;

    • (d.1) members of a governing body under the constitution of a first nation named in Schedule II to the Yukon First Nations Self-Government Act, persons on their staff or employees of such a governing body;

    • (d.2) members of Nisga’a Government, as defined in the Nisga’a Final Agreement given effect by the Nisga’a Final Agreement Act, persons on the staff of those members or employees of the Nisga’a Nation, a Nisga’a Village or a Nisga’a Institution, as defined in that Agreement;

    • (e) diplomatic agents, consular officers or official representatives in Canada of a foreign government; or

    • (f) officials of a specialized agency of the United Nations in Canada or officials of any other international organization to whom there are granted, by or under any Act of Parliament, privileges and immunities.

  • Marginal note:Idem

    (2) This Act does not apply in respect of

    • (a) any oral or written submission made to a committee of the Senate or House of Commons or of both Houses of Parliament or to any body or person having jurisdiction or powers conferred by or under an Act of Parliament, in proceedings that are a matter of public record;

    • (b) any oral or written submission made to a public office holder by an individual on behalf of any person or organization with respect to the enforcement, interpretation or application of any Act of Parliament or regulation thereunder by that public office holder and with respect to that person or organization; or

    • (c) any oral or written submission made to a public office holder by an individual on behalf of any person or organization in direct response to a written request from a public office holder, for advice or comment in respect of any matter referred to in any of subparagraphs 5(1)(a)(i) to (vi) or paragraphs 6(1)(a) to (e) or 7(1)(a) to (e).

  • Marginal note:Idem

    (3) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as requiring the disclosure of the name or identity of any individual where that disclosure could reasonably be expected to threaten the safety of that individual.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 4
  • 1994, c. 35, s. 36
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 2
  • 2000, c. 7, s. 24

Registration of Lobbyists

Consultant Lobbyists

Marginal note:Lobbyists shall file return

  •  (1) Every individual who, for payment, on behalf of any person or organization (in this section referred to as the “client”), undertakes to

    • (a) communicate with a public office holder in an attempt to influence

      • (i) the development of any legislative proposal by the Government of Canada or by a member of the Senate or the House of Commons,

      • (ii) the introduction of any Bill or resolution in either House of Parliament or the passage, defeat or amendment of any Bill or resolution that is before either House of Parliament,

      • (iii) the making or amendment of any regulation as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Statutory Instruments Act,

      • (iv) the development or amendment of any policy or program of the Government of Canada,

      • (v) the awarding of any grant, contribution or other financial benefit by or on behalf of Her Majesty in right of Canada, or

      • (vi) the awarding of any contract by or on behalf of Her Majesty in right of Canada, or

    • (b) arrange a meeting between a public office holder and any other person,

    shall, not later than ten days after entering into that undertaking, file with the registrar, in the prescribed form and manner, a return setting out the information referred to in subsection (2).

  • Marginal note:Contents of return

    (2) The return shall set out the following information with respect to the undertaking:

    • (a) the name and business address of the individual and, if applicable, the name and business address of the firm where the individual is engaged in business;

    • (b) the name and business address of the client and the name and business address of any person or organization that, to the knowledge of the individual, controls or directs the activities of the client and has a direct interest in the outcome of the individual’s activities on behalf of the client;

    • (c) where the client is a corporation, the name and business address of each subsidiary of the corporation that, to the knowledge of the individual, has a direct interest in the outcome of the individual’s activities on behalf of the client;

    • (d) where the client is a corporation that is a subsidiary of any other corporation, the name and business address of that other corporation;

    • (e) where the client is a coalition, the name and business address of each corporation or organization that is a member of the coalition;

    • (e.1) where the client is funded in whole or in part by a government, the name of the government or government agency, as the case may be, and the amount of funding received by the client from that government or government agency;

    • (f) particulars to identify the subject-matter in respect of which the individual has undertaken to communicate with a public office holder or to arrange a meeting, and such other information respecting the subject-matter as is prescribed;

    • (g) where applicable, whether the payment to the individual is in whole or in part contingent on the individual’s degree of success in influencing any matter described in subparagraphs (1)(a)(i) to (vi);

    • (h) particulars to identify any relevant legislative proposal, Bill, resolution, regulation, policy, program, grant, contribution, financial benefit or contract;

    • (i) the name of any department or other governmental institution in which any public office holder with whom the individual has communicated or expects to communicate, or with whom a meeting is to be or has been arranged, is employed or serves;

    • (j) where the individual has undertaken to communicate with a public office holder in an attempt to influence any matter described in subparagraphs (1)(a)(i) to (vi), particulars to identify any communication technique, including appeals to members of the public through the mass media or by direct communication that seek to persuade members of the public to communicate directly with a public office holder in an attempt to place pressure on the public office holder to endorse a particular opinion (in this Act referred to as “grass-roots communication”), that the individual has used or expects to use in an attempt to influence that matter; and

    • (k) such other information relating to the identity of the individual, the client, any person or organization referred to in paragraph (b), any subsidiary referred to in paragraph (c), the other corporation referred to in paragraph (d), any member of a coalition referred to in paragraph (e) or any department or institution referred to in paragraph (i) as is prescribed.

  • Marginal note:Changes to information and new information

    (3) An individual who files a return shall provide the registrar, in the prescribed form and manner, with any change to the information provided by the individual in the return, and any information required to be provided under subsection (2) the knowledge of which the individual acquired only after the return was filed, not later than thirty days after the change occurs or the knowledge is acquired.

  • Marginal note:Completion or termination of undertaking

    (4) An individual who completes or terminates an undertaking in respect of which the individual has filed a return shall advise the registrar of that fact, in the prescribed form and manner, not later than thirty days after the undertaking is completed or terminated.

  • Marginal note:Information requested by registrar

    (5) An individual who files a return shall provide the registrar, in the prescribed form and manner, with such information as the registrar may request to clarify any information that the individual has provided to the registrar pursuant to this section, and shall do so not later than thirty days after the request is made.

  • Marginal note:Restriction on application

    (6) This section does not apply in respect of anything that an employee undertakes to do on the sole behalf of their employer or, where their employer is a corporation, in respect of anything that the employee, at the direction of the employer, undertakes to do on behalf of any subsidiary of the employer or any corporation of which the employer is a subsidiary.

  • Marginal note:For greater certainty

    (7) For greater certainty, an individual who undertakes to communicate with a public office holder as described in paragraph (1)(a) is required to file only one return under subsection (1) notwithstanding that the individual may, in connection with that undertaking, communicate with one or more public office holders on one or more occasions.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 5
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 3
  • 1999, c. 31, s. 163(F)

In-House Lobbyists (Corporate)

Marginal note:Lobbyists shall file return

  •  (1) Where a person employs an individual a significant part of whose duties as an employee is to communicate with public office holders on behalf of the employer or, where the employer is a corporation, on behalf of any subsidiary of the employer or any corporation of which the employer is a subsidiary, in an attempt to influence

    • (a) the development of any legislative proposal by the Government of Canada or by a member of the Senate or the House of Commons,

    • (b) the introduction of any Bill or resolution in either House of Parliament or the passage, defeat or amendment of any Bill or resolution that is before either House of Parliament,

    • (c) the making or amendment of any regulation as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Statutory Instruments Act,

    • (d) the development or amendment of any policy or program of the Government of Canada, or

    • (e) the awarding of any grant, contribution or other financial benefit by or on behalf of Her Majesty in right of Canada,

    the employee shall file with the registrar, in the prescribed form and manner and at the time or times required by subsection (2), a return setting out the information referred to in subsection (3).

  • Marginal note:Time limits for filing a return

    Footnote *(2) An employee to whom subsection (1) applies shall file a return

    • (a) where the duties described in subsection (1) commenced to be a significant part of their duties before the date on which that subsection comes into force, within two months after that date;

    • (b) where the duties described in subsection (1) commence to be a significant part of their duties on or after that date, within two months after the date on which those duties commence to be a significant part of their duties; and

    • (c) within two months after the end of each financial year of the employer or, if the employer does not have a financial year, within two months after the end of each calendar year, beginning with the financial year or calendar year, as the case may be, in which the employee is required to file a return pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b).

  • Marginal note:Contents of return

    (3) The return shall set out the following information:

    • (a) the name and business address of the employee;

    • (b) the name and business address of the employer;

    • (c) where the employer is a corporation, the name and business address of each subsidiary of the corporation that, to the knowledge of the employee, has a direct interest in the outcome of the employee’s activities on behalf of the employer;

    • (d) where the employer is a corporation that is a subsidiary of any other corporation, the name and business address of that other corporation;

    • (e) if applicable, the financial year of the employer;

    • (f) a description in summary form of the employer’s business or activities and such other information to identify the employer’s business or activities as is prescribed;

    • (f.1) where the employer is funded in whole or in part by a government, the name of the government or government agency, as the case may be, and the amount of funding received by the employer from that government or government agency;

    • (g) where the employee is attempting to influence any matter described in paragraphs (1)(a) to (e) at the time the return is filed, particulars to identify the relevant subject-matter and such other information respecting the subject-matter as is prescribed;

    • (h) particulars to identify the subject-matters in respect of which the employee has communicated or expects to communicate with public office holders during the financial year of the employer in which the return is filed or, if the employer does not have a financial year, during the calendar year in which the return is filed, in an attempt to influence any matter described in paragraphs (1)(a) to (e), and such other information respecting those subject-matters as is prescribed;

    • (i) particulars to identify any relevant legislative proposal, Bill, resolution, regulation, policy, program, grant, contribution or financial benefit;

    • (j) the name of any department or other governmental institution in which any public office holder with whom the employee has communicated or expects to communicate, in connection with any matter referred to in paragraph (g) or (h), is employed or serves;

    • (k) particulars to identify any communication technique, including grass-roots communication within the meaning of paragraph 5(2)(j), that the employee has used or expects to use in an attempt to influence any matter referred to in paragraph (g) or (h); and

    • (l) such other information relating to the identity of the employee, the employer, any subsidiary referred to in paragraph (c), the other corporation referred to in paragraph (d) or any department or institution referred to in paragraph (j) as is prescribed.

  • Marginal note:Changes to return and new information

    (4) An employee who files a return shall provide the registrar, in the prescribed form and manner, with any change to the information provided by the employee in the return, and any information required to be provided under subsection (3) the knowledge of which the employee acquired only after the return was filed, not later than thirty days after the change occurs or the knowledge is acquired.

  • Marginal note:Ceasing duties or employment

    (5) An employee who files a return shall advise the registrar, in the prescribed form and manner, if the duties described in subsection (1) cease to be a significant part of their duties or they cease to be employed by the employer, and shall do so not later than thirty days after the event.

  • Marginal note:Information requested by registrar

    (6) An employee who files a return shall provide the registrar, in the prescribed form and manner, with such information as the registrar may request to clarify any information that the employee has provided to the registrar pursuant to this section, and shall do so not later than thirty days after the request is made.

  • Marginal note:Definition of “employee”

    (7) In this section, employee includes an officer who is compensated for the performance of their duties.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 6
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 3
  • 1999, c. 31, s. 164(F)

In-House Lobbyists (Organizations)

Marginal note:Senior officer shall file return

  •  (1) Where an organization employs one or more individuals any part of whose duties is to communicate with public office holders on behalf of the organization in an attempt to influence

    • (a) the development of any legislative proposal by the Government of Canada or by a member of the Senate or the House of Commons,

    • (b) the introduction of any Bill or resolution in either House of Parliament or the passage, defeat or amendment of any Bill or resolution that is before either House of Parliament,

    • (c) the making or amendment of any regulation as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Statutory Instruments Act,

    • (d) the development or amendment of any policy or program of the Government of Canada, or

    • (e) the awarding of any grant, contribution or other financial benefit by or on behalf of Her Majesty in right of Canada,

    the senior officer of the organization shall, if those duties constitute a significant part of the duties of one employee or would constitute a significant part of the duties of one employee were those duties to be performed by only one employee, file with the registrar, in the prescribed form and manner and at the time or times required by subsection (2), a return setting out the information referred to in subsection (3).

  • Marginal note:Time limits for filing a return

    Footnote *(2) The senior officer of the organization shall file a return

    • (a) where, on the date on which subsection (1) comes into force, the organization employs one or more individuals whose duties are as described in that subsection, within two months after that date and thereafter within thirty days after the expiration of each six month period after the date of filing; and

    • (b) where, on that date, the organization does not employ any individual whose duties are as described in that subsection, within two months after the date on which the organization first commences to employ such an individual and thereafter within thirty days after the expiration of each six month period after the date of filing.

  • Marginal note:Contents of return

    (3) The return shall set out the following information:

    • (a) the name and business address of the senior officer;

    • (b) the name and business address of the organization;

    • (c) a description in summary form of the organization’s business or activities and such other information to identify its business or activities as is prescribed;

    • (d) a description of the organization’s membership and such other information to identify its membership as is prescribed;

    • (e) where the organization is funded in whole or in part by a government, the name of the government or government agency, as the case may be, and the amount of funding received by the organization from that government or government agency;

    • (f) the name of each employee of the organization whose duties include those described in subsection (1);

    • (g) where any such employee is attempting to influence any matter described in paragraphs (1)(a) to (e) at the time the return is filed, particulars to identify the relevant subject-matter and such other information respecting the subject-matter as is prescribed;

    • (h) particulars to identify the subject-matters in respect of which any such employee

      • (i) has communicated with public office holders during the period for which the return is filed under subsection (2), and

      • (ii) is expected to communicate with public office holders during the next following six month period,

      in an attempt to influence any matter described in paragraphs (1)(a) to (e), and such other information respecting those subject-matters as is prescribed;

    • (i) particulars to identify any relevant legislative proposal, Bill, resolution, regulation, policy, program, grant, contribution or financial benefit;

    • (j) the name of any department or other governmental institution in which any public office holder with whom any such employee

      • (i) has communicated during the period for which the return is required to be filed pursuant to subsection (2), and

      • (ii) is expected to communicate during the next following six month period,

      in connection with any matter referred to in paragraph (g) or (h), is employed or serves;

    • (k) particulars to identify any communication technique, including grass-roots communication within the meaning of paragraph 5(2)(j), that any such employee

      • (i) has used during the period for which the return is required to be filed pursuant to subsection (2), and

      • (ii) is expected to use during the next following six month period,

      in an attempt to influence any matter referred to in paragraph (g) or (h); and

    • (l) such other information relating to the identity of the senior officer, the organization, any employee referred to in paragraph (f) or any department or institution referred to in paragraph (j) as is prescribed.

  • Marginal note:Ceasing duties or employment

    (4) The senior officer of an organization in respect of which a return is filed shall advise the registrar, in the prescribed form and manner, if an employee who has been identified in the return ceases to perform duties described in subsection (1) or ceases to be employed by the organization, and shall do so not later than thirty days after the event.

  • Marginal note:Information requested by registrar

    (5) The senior officer of an organization in respect of which a return is filed shall provide the registrar, in the prescribed form and manner, with such information as the registrar may request to clarify any information that has been provided to the registrar pursuant to this section, and shall do so not later than thirty days after the request is made.

  • Marginal note:Definitions

    (6) In this section,

    employee

    employé

    employee includes an officer who is compensated for the performance of their duties; (employé)

    senior officer

    premier dirigeant

    senior officer, in respect of an organization, means the most senior officer of the organization who is compensated for the performance of their duties. (premier dirigeant)

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 7
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 3

Certification

Marginal note:Certification

 Every individual who submits a return or other document to the registrar pursuant to this Act shall certify on the return or other document or, where it is submitted in electronic or other form in accordance with subsection 7.2(1), in such manner as is specified by the registrar, that the information contained in it is true to the best of their knowledge and belief.

  • 1995, c. 12, s. 3

Documents in Electronic or Other Form

Marginal note:Submission of documents

  •  (1) Subject to the regulations, any return or other document that is required to be submitted to the registrar under this Act may be submitted in electronic or other form by such means and in such manner as is specified by the registrar.

  • Marginal note:Time of receipt

    (2) For the purposes of this Act, any return or other document that is submitted in accordance with subsection (1) is deemed to be received by the registrar at the time provided for in the regulations.

  • 1995, c. 12, s. 3

Marginal note:Storage

  •  (1) Subject to the regulations, any return or other document that is received by the registrar may be entered or recorded by any information storage device, including any system of mechanical or electronic data processing, that is capable of reproducing the stored return or other document in intelligible form within a reasonable time.

  • Marginal note:Evidence

    (2) In any prosecution for an offence under this Act, a copy of a return or other document that is reproduced as permitted by subsection (1) and certified under the registrar’s signature as a true copy is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the copy and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, has the same probative force as the original would have if it were proved in the ordinary way.

  • 1995, c. 12, s. 3

Registry

Marginal note:Registrar

 The Registrar General of Canada may designate any person employed in the office of the Registrar General of Canada as the registrar for the purposes of this Act.

Marginal note:Registry

  •  (1) The registrar shall establish and maintain a registry in which shall be kept a record of all returns and other documents submitted to the registrar under this Act.

  • Marginal note:Form of registry

    (2) The registry shall be organized in such manner and kept in such form as the registrar may determine.

  • Marginal note:Audit

    (3) The registrar may verify the information contained in any return or other document submitted to the registrar under this Act.

  • Marginal note:Access to registry

    (4) The registry shall be open to public inspection at such place and at such reasonable hours as the registrar may determine.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 9
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 5

Marginal note:Interpretation bulletins

  •  (1) The registrar may issue advisory opinions and interpretation bulletins with respect to the enforcement, interpretation or application of this Act other than under sections 10.1 to 10.6.

  • Marginal note:Interpretation bulletins not statutory instruments

    (2) The advisory opinions and interpretation bulletins are not statutory instruments for the purposes of the Statutory Instruments Act and are not binding.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 10
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 5

Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct

Marginal note:Ethics Counsellor

 The Governor in Council may designate any person as the Ethics Counsellor for the purposes of this Act.

  • 1995, c. 12, s. 5

Marginal note:Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct

  •  (1) The Ethics Counsellor shall develop a Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct respecting the activities described in subsections 5(1), 6(1) and 7(1).

  • Marginal note:Consultation

    (2) In developing the Code, the Ethics Counsellor shall consult persons and organizations that he or she considers are interested in the Code.

  • Marginal note:Referral

    (3) The Code shall be referred to a committee of the House of Commons before being published under subsection (4).

  • Marginal note:Code not a statutory instrument

    (4) The Code is not a statutory instrument for the purposes of the Statutory Instruments Act, but the Code shall be published in the Canada Gazette.

  • 1995, c. 12, s. 5

Marginal note:Compliance with Code

  •  (1) The following individuals shall comply with the Code:

    • (a) an individual who is required to file a return under subsection 5(1) or 6(1); and

    • (b) an individual who, in accordance with paragraph 7(3)(f), is named in a return filed under subsection 7(1).

  • Marginal note:Non-application of section 126 of the Criminal Code

    (2) Section 126 of the Criminal Code does not apply in respect of a contravention of subsection (1).

  • 1995, c. 12, s. 5

Marginal note:Investigation of breaches

  •  (1) Where the Ethics Counsellor believes on reasonable grounds that a person has breached the Code, the Ethics Counsellor shall investigate to determine whether a breach has occurred.

  • Marginal note:Powers of investigation

    (2) For the purpose of conducting the investigation, the Ethics Counsellor may

    • (a) in the same manner and to the same extent as a superior court of record,

      • (i) summon and enforce the attendance of persons before the Ethics Counsellor and compel them to give oral or written evidence on oath, and

      • (ii) compel persons to produce any documents or other things that the Ethics Counsellor considers necessary for the investigation, including any record of a payment received, disbursement made or expense incurred by an individual who is required to file a return under subsection 5(1) or 6(1) or by an individual who, in accordance with paragraph 7(3)(f), is named in a return filed under subsection 7(1), in respect of any matter referred to in any of subparagraphs 5(1)(a)(i) to (vi) or paragraphs 6(1)(a) to (e) or 7(1)(a) to (e), as the case may be; and

    • (b) administer oaths and receive and accept information, whether or not it would be admissible as evidence in a court of law.

  • Marginal note:Investigation in private

    (3) The investigation shall be conducted in private.

  • Marginal note:Evidence in other proceedings

    (4) Evidence given by a person in the investigation and evidence of the existence of the investigation are inadmissible against the person in a court or in any other proceeding, other than in a prosecution of a person for an offence under section 131 of the Criminal Code (perjury) in respect of a statement made to the Ethics Counsellor.

  • Marginal note:Opportunity to present views

    (5) Before finding that a person has breached the Code, the Ethics Counsellor shall give the person a reasonable opportunity to present their views to the Ethics Counsellor.

  • Marginal note:Confidentiality

    (6) The Ethics Counsellor, and every person acting on behalf of or under the direction of the Ethics Counsellor, shall not disclose any information that comes to their knowledge in the performance of their duties and functions under this section, unless

    • (a) the disclosure is, in the opinion of the Ethics Counsellor, necessary for the purpose of conducting an investigation under this section or establishing the grounds for any findings or conclusions contained in a report under section 10.5; or

    • (b) the information is disclosed in a report under section 10.5 or in the course of a prosecution for an offence under section 131 of the Criminal Code (perjury) in respect of a statement made to the Ethics Counsellor.

  • 1995, c. 12, s. 5

Marginal note:Report

  •  (1) After conducting an investigation, the Ethics Counsellor shall prepare a report of the investigation, including the findings, conclusions and reasons for the Ethics Counsellor’s conclusions, and submit it to the Registrar General of Canada who shall cause a copy of it to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first fifteen sitting days on which that House is sitting after it is received.

  • Marginal note:Contents of report

    (2) The report may contain details of any payment received, disbursement made or expense incurred by an individual who is required to file a return under subsection 5(1) or 6(1) or by an individual who, in accordance with paragraph 7(3)(f), is named in a return filed under subsection 7(1), in respect of any matter referred to in any of subparagraphs 5(1)(a)(i) to (vi) or paragraphs 6(1)(a) to (e) or 7(1)(a) to (e), as the case may be, if the Ethics Counsellor considers publication of the details to be in the public interest.

  • 1995, c. 12, s. 5

Marginal note:Annual report

 The Ethics Counsellor shall, within three months after the end of each fiscal year, prepare a report with regard to the exercise of the powers, duties and functions conferred on the Ethics Counsellor under this Act during the fiscal year and submit the report to the Registrar General of Canada who shall cause a copy of it to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first fifteen sitting days on which that House is sitting after it is received.

  • 1995, c. 12, s. 5

Annual Report

Marginal note:Annual report

  •  (1) The registrar shall, within three months after the end of each fiscal year, prepare a report with regard to the administration of this Act, other than sections 10.1 to 10.6, during that fiscal year and submit the report to the Registrar General of Canada.

  • Marginal note:Tabling

    (2) The Registrar General of Canada shall cause a copy of the report prepared pursuant to subsection (1) to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first fifteen days on which that House is sitting after it is received.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 11
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 6

Regulations

Marginal note:Regulations

 The Governor in Council may make regulations

  • (a) requiring a fee to be paid on the filing of a return or a return of a class of returns under section 5, 6 or 7, or for any service performed or the use of any facility provided by the registrar, and prescribing the fee or the manner of determining it;

  • (b) respecting the submission of returns or other documents to the registrar under this Act, including those that may be submitted in an electronic or other form under section 7.2, the persons or classes of persons by whom they may be submitted in that form and the time at which they are deemed to be received by the registrar;

  • (c) respecting the entering or recording of any return or other document under section 7.3;

  • (d) prescribing any matter or thing that by this Act is to be or may be prescribed; and

  • (e) generally for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Act.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 12
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 7

Recovery of Fees

Marginal note:Recovery of fees

 Any fee required by the regulations to be paid constitutes a debt due to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 13
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 7

Offences and Punishment

Marginal note:Contravention of Act or regulations

  •  (1) Every individual who contravenes any provision of this Act, other than subsection 10.3(1), or the regulations is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars.

  • Marginal note:False or misleading statements

    (2) Every individual who knowingly makes any false or misleading statement in any return or other document submitted to the registrar under this Act, whether in electronic or other form, is guilty of an offence and liable

    • (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or to both; and

    • (b) on proceedings by way of indictment, to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.

  • Marginal note:Limitation of proceedings

    (3) Proceedings by way of summary conviction in respect of an offence under this section may be instituted at any time within but not later than two years after the time when the subject-matter of the proceedings arose.

  • R.S., 1985, c. 44 (4th Supp.), s. 14
  • 1995, c. 12, s. 7

Coming into Force

Marginal note:Coming into force

Footnote * This Act or any provision thereof shall come into force on a day or days to be fixed by proclamation.


Date modified: