First Commissioner of Lobbyists appointed;
Lobbyist Registration Act to be proclaimed October 11

Premier Danny Williams today announced the appointment of LeeAnn Montgomery as the first Commissioner of Lobbyists for Newfoundland and Labrador.

�As commissioner, Ms. Montgomery will play a critical role in the implementation of the Lobbyist Registration Act which is an integral part of our transparency and accountability agenda,� Premier Williams said. �Ms. Montgomery�s extensive experience and background in law and arbitration will serve this new position well. I thank her for taking on this new role and wish her well as we move forward with the Lobbyist Registration Act.�

The Commissioner of Lobbyists is responsible for investigating, on reasonable grounds, possible violations of the Lobbyist Registration Act, or Code of Conduct; prohibiting or canceling the registration of lobbyists whom the commissioner determines to have gravely or repeatedly breached the obligations imposed by the act, or the code; and, ordering that some or all registration information be kept confidential.

Also today, Justice Minister Tom Marshall announced that the Lobbyist Registration Act will be proclaimed October 11, 2005.

�This government made a strong commitment to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador to operate in a spirit of fairness, openness and accountability. The lobbyist legislation is a concrete example of how we are creating transparency in government decision-making,� said Minister Marshall.

�In November 2004, we consulted the people of the province and subsequently developed one of the strongest pieces of legislation for regulating lobbyists in Canada. The Lobbyist Registration Act was passed in the House of Assembly in December 2004,� Minister Marshall continued.

Under the act, paid lobbyists are required to file reports on their specific lobbying objectives and activities in the Newfoundland and Labrador Registry of Lobbyists. The act defines two categories of lobbyists: consultant lobbyists and in-house lobbyists. Consultant lobbyists are paid to lobby on behalf of client companies, organizations and individuals. In-house lobbyists are employees who lobby on behalf of their organizations. To qualify as an in-house lobbyist, an employee�s lobbying activities, alone or combined with other employees, must occupy 20 per cent or more of one staff member�s full-time work.

The act also establishes a code of conduct for lobbyists and imposes significant penalties for offences and violations. The Commissioner of Lobbyists will oversee compliance with the act and Code of Conduct, and the Registry of Lobbyists will be administered by a registrar.

Government Services Minister Dianne Whalen said the registry will become active October 11, the same day the legislation is proclaimed. �Anyone actively engaged in lobbying for pay or other compensation at that time has 10 days to file a report on their activities, retroactive to January 1, 2005,� she said.

�The Registry of Lobbyists does not inhibit people�s ability to reach out to government, but quite simply makes the process transparent,� said Minister Whalen. �The people of this province have a right to know who is trying to influence government policy and for whom.�

Lobbyists can register through the Registry of Lobbyists Web site as of October 11, 2005. Registrations can also be filed by mail or fax, using a form available on line at www.gov.nl.ca/gs/cr or from the Registry of Lobbyists, Commercial Registrations Division. A small registration fee will be charged to help cover the costs of the registry. Registry information is open to members of the public, and anyone can search the registry free of charge.

Government will hold information sessions to assist those who may be considered lobbyists under the Lobbyist Registration Act to determine whether they are required to register; a session will be held at Confederation Building, West Block, Conference Room B, at 12:00 noon, on October 14. An information session will also be held at the Holiday Inn, Corner Brook on October 12 at 12:00 noon. Additionally, detailed information on the Registry of Lobbyists, lobbyist legislation or the public consultations may be obtained by visiting www.gs.gov.nl.ca/cr or calling 729-4043.

BIOGRAPHY
LeeAnn Montgomery

LeeAnn Montgomery has a bachelor of laws degree from Dalhousie University and bachelor of arts degree from Memorial University. Since her admission to the Bar of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1978, she has practised labour, corporate and tax law, and has trained and practiced as an arbitrator. Her positions have included acting as legal counsel for NPV Management; associate with the firm Glube, Jewell, Barristers and Solicitors; assistant legal counsel for Memorial University; and legal counsel and secretary to the board of directors for the Workers� Compensation Commission. She also worked as a writer and editor for the Royal Commission on Employment and Unemployment in 1986.

Media contact:

Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960, 690-5500
Billy Hickey, Justice, (709) 729-6985, 691-6390
Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Government Services, (709) 729-4860, 682-6593

2005 10 05                       3:00 p.m.