News Release, March 25, 2009

VICTORIA - Following weeks of unanswered questions about the lobbying activities of high-ranking BC Liberal insiders, today the Official Opposition re-introduced a private member's Bill to strengthen the Lobbyists Registration Act.

"Yesterday the Attorney General said he wanted to fix the lobbyist rules. We've been hearing that for years, but the Campbell government still hasn't taken action. So the Official Opposition has  done the work for them," said Opposition leader Carole James.

Questions around the activities of Patrick Kinsella, one of Gordon Campbell's closest advisors, have been swirling after it was revealed he received almost $300,000 from Crown corporation BC Rail while also working as a lobbyist for numerous companies.

"The Attorney General says we should take our complaints to the Lobbyists Registrar. But because of the Campbell government's inaction, the registrar doesn't have the tools he needs to investigate. Our Bill gives him those tools," said James.

The Official Opposition Bill reflects recent recommendations by Registrar of Lobbyists David Loukidelis. Last year, after Kinsella refused to cooperate with an investigation into allegations of unregistered lobbying, Loukidelis stated he would not investigate any complaints until loopholes in the legislation are corrected.

"This Bill will provide clear rules to ensure lobbying is done ethically and transparently, and it will also establish a more open and transparent regime for ethical conduct of current and former public officeholders," said Opposition MLA John Horgan, who re-introduced the Bill today in the legislature.

"This Bill provides the Registrar of Lobbyists with the necessary powers to investigate the actions of those who would thumb their nose at public disclosure and will impose appropriate penalties."

Horgan noted that this is the third time in the past 12 months that the official opposition has introduced such measures in an attempt to persuade government to act on these critical issues.

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Copies of the bill are available upon request.

Contact: Sara Goldvine 250-208-3560