As you know, the Alberta Lobbyists Act still awaits proclamation. However, on April 20th, Bill 2, the Lobbyists Amendment Act, received Royal Assent (and also will come into force on proclamation).

As Bill 2 is largely "house-keeping" legislation. Particulary noteworthy are the following amendments:

  • The expansion of the definition of "public office holder" to include an individual appointed to a board, committee or council established under section 7 of the Government Organization Act.
  • The expansion of the applicability of the "contracting prohibitions" such that:
    • no person shall lobby on a subject-matter if that person or a person associated with that person is holding a contract for providing paid advice on the same subject-matter.
    • no person shall enter into a contract for providing paid advice on a subject-matter if that person or a person associated with that person lobbies on the same subject-matter as that of the contract.
  • The expansion of the regulatory-making powers of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations prescribing individuals or categories of individuals that are not considered to be consultant lobbyists or organization lobbyists when they are acting in their official capacity, in addition to prescribing individuals or categories of individuals to whom the Lobbyists Act does not apply when they are acting in their official capacity.  

The Lobbyists Act and Bill 2, the Lobbyists Amendment Act, may be found at the following links below: