Title BEFORE amended by 2018-52-1, effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
Lobbyists Registration Act
Section 1 (1) definition of "lobby", subparagraph (a) (iii) BEFORE amended by BC Reg 18/2010 under RS1996-440-12, effective January 15, 2010 (BC Reg 18/2010).
(iii) the making or amendment of any regulation as defined in the Regulation Act or any order in council,
Section 1 (1) definitions "in-house lobbyist", "lobby", "organization" and "payment" BEFORE amended by 2009-31-2(a), effective April 1, 2010.
"in-house lobbyist" means an individual who is employed by a person or organization and a significant part of whose duties as an employee is to lobby on behalf of
(a) the employer, or
(b) if the employer is a corporation, on behalf of any subsidiary of the employer or any corporation of which the employer is a subsidiary;
"lobby" means,
(a) in relation to either a consultant lobbyist or an in-house lobbyist, to communicate with a public office holder in an attempt to influence
(i) the development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia or by a member of the Legislative Assembly,
(ii) the introduction of any bill or resolution in the Legislative Assembly or the amendment, passage or defeat of any bill or resolution that is before the Legislative Assembly,
(iii) the making or amendment of any regulation as defined in the Regulations Act or any order in council,
(iv) the development or amendment of any program or policy of the government of British Columbia, or
(v) the awarding of any contract or financial benefit by or on behalf of the government of British Columbia, and
(b) in relation only to a consultant lobbyist, to arrange a meeting between a public office holder and any other person;
"organization" means
(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 charitable or non-profit organization, association, society, coalition or interest group, and
(e) a government, other than the government of British Columbia;
"payment" means money or anything of value and includes a contract, promise or agreement to pay money or anything of value;
Section 1 (1) definition "senior officer" BEFORE repealed by 2009-31-2(a), effective April 1, 2010.
"senior officer", in relation to an organization, means the most senior officer of the organization who is compensated for performing his or her duties;
Section 1 (1) definitions "affiliate", "designated filer", "lobbyist", "Provincial entity" and "registry" were added by 2009-31-2(b), effective April 1, 2010.
Section 1 (2) BEFORE repealed by 2009-31-3, effective April 1, 2010.
(2) An officer who is compensated for performing his or her duties is considered to be an employee for the purposes of the definition of "in-house lobbyist" in subsection (1) and for the purposes of sections 3 and 4.
Section 1 (3) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-3, effective April 1, 2010.
(3) For the purposes of this Act, the following are not considered to be in-house lobbyists:
(a) officers and employees of the Legislative Assembly appointed under section 39 of the Constitution Act;
(b) persons appointed under the Public Service Act;
(c) employees of prescribed government corporations as defined in the Financial Administration Act or of other prescribed government institutions.
Section 1 (1) definition of "former public office holder" was added by 2017-19-2, effective May 1, 2018.
Section 1 (1) definition of "former public office holder", paragraph (a) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-2(b), effective December 27, 2018 (Royal Assent).
(a) a former member of the Executive Council and any individual formerly employed in the former member's former office, other than administrative support staff,
Section 1 (1) definition of "former public office holder", paragraph (a.1), was added by 2018-52-2(b), effective December 27, 2018 (Royal Assent).
Section 1 (1) definition of "designated filer", paragraph (b) (i), BEFORE amended by 2018-52-2(a), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(i) the most senior officer of the organization who receives payment for performing his or her functions, or
Section 1 (1) definition of "in-house lobbyist" BEFORE amended by 2018-52-2(c), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
"in-house lobbyist" means an employee, an officer or a director of an organization
(a) who receives a payment for the performance of his or her functions, and
(b) whose lobbying or duty to lobby on behalf of the organization or an affiliate, either alone or together with other individuals in the organization,
(i) amounts to at least 100 hours annually, or
(ii) otherwise meets criteria established by the regulations;
Section 1 (1) definition of "lobby" (part) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-2(d) and (e), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
"lobby", subject to section 2 (2), means,
(a) in relation to a lobbyist, to communicate with a public office holder in an attempt to influence
Section 1 (1) definition of "lobby", paragraph (b), BEFORE amended by 2018-52-2(f), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(b) in relation to a consultant lobbyist only, to arrange a meeting between a public office holder and any other individual, and
Section 1 (1) definition of "lobby", paragraph (c), BEFORE repealed by 2018-52-2(f), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(c) in relation to an in-house lobbyist only, to arrange a meeting between a public office holder and any other individual for the purposes of attempting to influence any of the matters referred to in paragraph (a) of this definition;
Section 1 (1) definitions of "lobbying activity" and "relevant code of conduct" were added by 2018-52-2(g), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
Section 2 (1) (d.1) was added by 2001-42-2, effective October 28, 2002 (BC Reg 284/2002).
[Note: The above was amended by 2001-37-1, effective May 30, 2002 (Royal Assent).]
Section 2 (1) (g) BEFORE amended by 2007-14-201,Sch, effective December 1, 2007 (BC Reg 354/2007).
(g) officials of a specialized agency of the United Nations in Canada or officials of any other international organization to whom privileges and immunities are granted by or under an Act of the Parliament of Canada.
Section 2 (2) (a) BEFORE amended by 2007-14-201,Sch, effective December 1, 2007 (BC Reg 354/2007).
(a) made in proceedings that are a matter of public record to a committee of the Legislative Assembly or to any body or person having jurisdiction or powers conferred by or under an Act;
Section 2 (1) (b) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-4, effective April 1, 2010.
(b) members of the Legislative Assembly of another province or persons on their staff;
Section 2.2 BEFORE re-enacted by 2017-19-5, effective May 1, 2018.
Exemption from contracting prohibition
2.2 (1) Despite section 2.1, the registrar may, if the registrar is satisfied that it is in the public interest, exempt a person from the prohibition under section 2.1 (2).
(2) If the registrar makes an exemption under subsection (1), the registrar
(a) may impose terms and conditions on the exemption, and
(b) must enter into the registry
Section 2.2 (a) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-5, effective December 27, 2018 (Royal Assent).
(a) to be a member of the Executive Council or an individual employed in the member's office,
Section 3 (1) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-7(a), effective April 1, 2010.
(1) A return in the prescribed form and containing the information required by section 4 must be filed with the registrar as follows:
(a) by a consultant lobbyist, within 10 days after entering into an undertaking to lobby on behalf of a client;
(b) by the senior officer of any organization that employs any in-house lobbyist,
(i) if the organization employs one or more in-house lobbyists on the date this section comes into force,
(A) within 2 months after that date, and
(B) within 2 months of the end of each 6 month period after the date of filing the previous return, and
(ii) in any other case,
(A) within 2 months after the date the organization first employs an in-house lobbyist or the date an employee becomes an in-house lobbyist, and
(B) within 2 months after the end of each 6 month period after the date of filing the previous return;
(c) by each in-house lobbyist who is employed by a person other than an organization,
(i) if he or she is an in-house lobbyist on the date this section comes into force,
(A) within 2 months after that date, and
(B) within 2 months after the end of each financial year of the employer or, if the employer does not have a financial year, within 2 months after the end of each calendar year, beginning with the financial year or calendar year, as the case may be, in which the in-house lobbyist is required to file a return under clause (A), and
(ii) in any other case,
(A) within 2 months after becoming an in-house lobbyist, and
(B) within 2 months after the end of each financial year of the employer or, if the employer does not have a financial year, within 2 months after the end of each calendar year, beginning with the financial year or calendar year, as the case may be, in which the in-house lobbyist is required to file a return under clause (A).
Section 3 (2) (part) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-7(b), effective April 1, 2010.
(2) Only one return need be filed under subsection (1) (a) for each undertaking even though the consultant lobbyist may, in connection with the undertaking,
Section 3 (1) to (3) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-7(a) to (c), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(1) Within 10 days after entering into an undertaking to lobby on behalf of a client, a consultant lobbyist must file with the registrar a return in the prescribed form and containing the information required by section 4.
(2) Only one return need be filed under subsection (1) for each undertaking even though a consultant lobbyist named in the return may, in connection with the undertaking,
(a) communicate with one or more public office holders on one or more occasions, or
(b) arrange one or more meetings between a public office holder and any other person.
(3) The designated filer of an organization must file with the registrar a return in the prescribed form and containing the information required by section 4,
(a) if no return has been filed previously, within 60 days of the date the organization first has an in-house lobbyist, or
(b) if a return has been filed previously, within 30 days of the end of each 6-month period after the date of filing the previous return.
Section 3 (1) and (3) BEFORE amended by 2024-10-1, effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
(1) Within 10 days after beginning to lobby on behalf of a client, a consultant lobbyist must file with the registrar a registration return in the prescribed form and manner and containing the information required by section 4.
(3) The designated filer of an organization must file with the registrar, within 10 days of the date the organization first has an in-house lobbyist, a registration return in the prescribed form and manner and containing the information required by section 4.
Section 4 (1) (g) BEFORE amended by 2003-37-29, effective July 11, 2003 (BC Reg 273/2003).
(g) the name of any public office holder whom a consultant lobbyist or in-house lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby during the relevant period;
Section 4 (1) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-8(a), effective April 1, 2010.
(1) Each return filed under section 3 must include the following information as applicable:
(a) the name and business address of the consultant lobbyist, in-house lobbyist or senior officer required to file the return;
(b) if the return is filed by a consultant lobbyist,
(i) the name and business address of the firm, if any, where the consultant lobbyist is engaged in business,
(ii) the name and business address of the client and of any person or organization that, to the consultant lobbyist's knowledge, controls or directs the client's activities and has a direct interest in the outcome of the consultant lobbyist's activities on the client's behalf,
(iii) the date of the undertaking entered into by the consultant lobbyist, and
(iv) the name of any government or government agency that funds or partly funds the client and the amount of the funding;
(c) if the return is filed by an in-house lobbyist,
(i) the name and business address of the employer,
(ii) a description in summary form of the employer's business or activities and any other information that is required by the regulations to identify its business or activities,
(iii) if the employer is a corporation, the name and business address of each subsidiary of the corporation that, to the in-house lobbyist's knowledge, has a direct interest in the outcome of the in-house lobbyist's activities on the employer's behalf,
(iv) if the employer is a corporation that is a subsidiary of another corporation, the name and business address of that other corporation, and
(v) the name of any government or government agency that funds or partly funds the employer and the amount of the funding;
(d) if the return is filed by the senior officer of an organization,
(i) the name of the organization,
(ii) a description in summary form of the organization's business or activities and any other information that is prescribed by the regulations to identify its business or activities,
(iii) the name of each in-house lobbyist employed by the organization, and
(iv) the name of any government or government agency that funds or partly funds the organization and the amount of the funding;
(e) particulars to identify the subject matter concerning which
(i) a consultant lobbyist named in the return has undertaken to lobby, or
(ii) any in-house lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby during the relevant period;
(f) particulars to identify any relevant legislative proposal, bill, resolution, regulation, program, policy, contract or financial benefit;
(g) the name of any member of the Legislative Assembly if a consultant lobbyist or in-house lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby, during the relevant period,
(i) the member, or
(ii) a person on the member's staff
concerning a matter that involves the member's capacity as a member;
(g.1) the name of any minister if a consultant lobbyist or in-house lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby, during the relevant period,
(i) the minister, or
(ii) a person on the minister's staff
concerning a matter that involves the minister's capacity as a minister;
(h) the name of any ministry of the government of British Columbia or other government institution in which is employed or serves any public office holder whom a consultant lobbyist or in-house lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby during the relevant period;
(i) any other information that is prescribed by the regulations respecting the identity of a consultant lobbyist, a client, an in-house lobbyist, an employer of an in-house lobbyist or the senior officer of an organization or respecting the identity of any ministry or institution referred to in paragraph (h).
Section 4 (3) and (4) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-8(b), effective April 1, 2010.
(3) Within 30 days after the completion or termination of an undertaking for which a return was filed, the consultant lobbyist who filed the return must inform the registrar of the completion or termination of the undertaking.
(4) Within 30 days after an individual named in a return as an in-house lobbyist ceases to be an in-house lobbyist or ceases to be an employee of the employer named in the return, the individual who filed the return must inform the registrar of the event.
Section 4 (6) (b) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-8(c), effective April 1, 2010.
(b) in relation to a return filed by an in-house lobbyist or by the senior officer of an organization that employs an in-house lobbyist, the financial year of the employer in which the return is filed or, if the employer does not have a financial year, the calendar year in which the return is filed.
Section 4 (l) (m), (n) and (o) BEFORE amended by 2017-19-6, effective May 1, 2018.
(l) if a lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby, during the relevant period,
(i) a member of the Legislative Assembly, or
(ii) a person on the staff of a member of the Legislative Assembly
concerning a matter that involves the member's capacity as a member, the name of that member;
(m) if a lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby, during the relevant period,
(ii) a person on the staff of a minister
concerning a matter that involves the minister's capacity as a minister, the name of that minister;
(n) a declaration that no lobbyist named in the return is in violation of section 2.1;
(o) if any lobbyist named in the return is a former public office holder, the nature of the office formerly held by the lobbyist and the term of office;
Section 4 (1.1) BEFORE repealed by 2017-19-7, effective May 1, 2018.
(1.1) For the purposes of subsection (1) (o), "former public office holder" means
(a) a former member of the Executive Council and any individual formerly employed in the former member's former office,
(i) formerly occupied a senior executive position in a ministry, whether by the title of deputy minister, chief executive officer or another title, or
(ii) formerly occupied the position of associate deputy minister, assistant deputy minister or a position of comparable rank in a ministry, or
(c) any individual who formerly occupied a prescribed position in a Provincial entity.
Section 4 (1) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-8, effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(1) Each return filed under section 3 must include the following information, as applicable:
(a) the name and business address of the designated filer, and whether he or she is a consultant lobbyist or the designated filer for an in-house lobbyist;
(b) if the return is filed by a consultant lobbyist,
(i) the name and business address of the firm, if any, where the consultant lobbyist is engaged in business,
(ii) the date on which the undertaking with the client was entered into and is scheduled to terminate, and
(iii) the name of each individual engaged by the consultant lobbyist to lobby on behalf of the client;
(c) if the return is filed in respect of an in-house lobbyist, the name of each in-house lobbyist for the organization;
(d) the name and business address of the client or organization;
(e) a summary of the business or activities of the client or organization;
(f) if the client or organization is a corporation, the name and business address of each affiliate of the corporation that, to the designated filer's knowledge after making reasonable inquiries, has a direct interest in the outcome of the activities of each lobbyist named in the return who lobbies on behalf of the client or organization;
(g) without limiting paragraph (f), if the client or organization is a corporation that is a subsidiary of another corporation, the name and business address of the other corporation;
(h) if the client or organization is a member of a coalition, the name and business address of each member of the coalition;
(i) the name of any government or government agency that funds or partly funds the client or organization, and the amount of the funding;
(j) particulars to identify the subject matter concerning which a lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby, during the relevant period;
(k) if a lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby, during the relevant period, a public office holder employed by or serving in a ministry of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity, the name of the ministry or Provincial entity;
(l) if a lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby, during the relevant period,
(i) a member of the Legislative Assembly, or
(ii) a person on the staff of a member of the Legislative Assembly
concerning a matter that involves the member's capacity as a member, the name of that member and, if applicable, the name of that person on that member's staff;
(m) if a lobbyist named in the return has lobbied or expects to lobby, during the relevant period,
(ii) a person on the staff of a minister
concerning a matter that involves the minister's capacity as a minister, the name of that minister and, if applicable, the name of that person on that minister's staff;
(n) a declaration that no lobbyist named in the return is in violation of section 2.1 (2) or 2.2;
(o) if any lobbyist named in the return is a former public office holder, the nature of the position formerly held by the lobbyist and the term of office;
Section 4 (2) to (6) BEFORE repealed by 2018-52-10, effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(2) An individual who files a return must supply the registrar with the following information within the applicable period:
(a) particulars of any change to the information in the return, within 30 days after the change occurs;
(b) any information required to be supplied under subsection (1) the knowledge of which the individual acquired only after the return was filed, within 30 days after the knowledge is acquired;
(c) any information requested by the registrar to clarify any information supplied by the individual under this section, within 30 days after the request is made.
(3) Within 30 days after the completion or termination of an undertaking for which a return was filed, the consultant lobbyist who filed the return must inform the registrar of the completion or termination of the undertaking and indicate the date on which the completion or termination occurred.
(4) Within 30 days after an individual named in a return as an in-house lobbyist ceases to be an in-house lobbyist for the organization named in the return, the individual who filed the return must inform the registrar of the event and indicate the date on which the event occurred.
(5) Any information required under subsections (2) to (4) must be supplied to the registrar in the prescribed form and manner.
(6) In this section, "relevant period" means,
(a) in relation to a return filed by a consultant lobbyist, the period beginning on the date of the undertaking for which the return was filed and ending on the date of completion or termination of the undertaking, and
(b) in relation to a return filed in respect of an in-house lobbyist, the period,
(i) if no return has been filed previously, beginning on the date the organization first has an in-house lobbyist, or
(ii) if a return has been filed previously, beginning on the date the most recent return was filed
and ending 6 months from the date the current return is filed.
Section 4 (1) (h) BEFORE amended by 2024-10-2(a), effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
(h) if the client or organization is a member of a coalition, the name and business address of each member of the coalition;
Section 4 (1) (i.1) BEFORE repealed by 2024-10-2(b), effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
(i.1) the name of any government, government agency or Provincial entity from which the client or organization has requested funding within the preceding 12 months, and the amount of that requested funding;
Section 4.01 (1) BEFORE amended by 2024-10-3, effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
(1) A designated filer who has filed a registration return under section 3 must file with the registrar any information requested by the registrar to clarify information supplied by the designated filer under section 4.
Section 4.1 BEFORE re-enacted by 2024-10-4, effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
Requirement to file monthly return
4.1 A designated filer who has filed a registration return under section 3 must file with the registrar a monthly return, in the prescribed form and manner and containing the information required under section 4.2, no later than 15 days after the end of every month, beginning with the month in which the registration return under section 3 is filed.
Section 4.2 (10) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-11 as amended by 2020-14-14, effective May 4, 2020 [retro from August 14, 2020 (Royal Assent)].
(10) Any information required under subsections (2) (e), (9) and (10) must be supplied to the registrar in the prescribed form and manner.
Section 4.2 (2) (e) BEFORE amended by 2022-31-3, effective November 3, 2022 (Royal Assent).
(e) the following information about a registration return filed under section 4:
(i) particulars of any change to the information in the registration return;
(ii) any information required under section 4 (1) that the designated filer acquired only after the return was filed;
(iii) any information requested by the registrar to clarify information supplied by the designated filer under section 4;
Section 4.2 (2) (e) (ii) BEFORE amended by 2024-10-5(a), effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
(ii) any information required under section 4 (1) that the designated filer acquired only after the return was filed;
Section 4.2 (4) to (9) BEFORE repealed by 2024-10-5(b), effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
(4) Only one monthly return need be filed under section 4.1 in respect of
(a) a consultant lobbyist for each undertaking, and
(b) an organization that has an in-house lobbyist,
even though a lobbyist named in the monthly return may, in connection with the undertaking or organization, carry on more than one lobbying activity.
(5) A designated filer need not file a monthly return under section 4.1 if no lobbying activity occurred in the applicable month and if no information specified in subsection (2) (e) is required to be filed.
(6) Despite subsection (5), if no monthly returns have been filed for 5 consecutive months after the last monthly return was filed, a designated filer must file a monthly return under section 4.1 stating that the lobbyist named in the monthly return has not carried on lobbying activities in that time period.
(7) If a designated filer has not filed a monthly return, if and as required under subsection (6), the registration of the lobbyist referred to in subsection (6) is terminated 30 days after the monthly return under subsection (6) was due.
(8) Within 30 days after the termination of an undertaking for which a monthly return was filed, the consultant lobbyist who filed the monthly return must inform the registrar of the termination of the undertaking and indicate the date on which the termination occurred.
(9) Within 30 days after an individual named in a monthly return as an in-house lobbyist has ceased to be an in-house lobbyist for the organization named in the monthly return, the designated filer must inform the registrar of that cessation and indicate the date that it occurred.
Section 4.2 (10) BEFORE amended by 2024-10-5(c), effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
(10) Any information required under subsections (2) (e), (8) and (9) must be supplied to the registrar in the prescribed form and manner.
Section 4.2 (11) BEFORE repealed by 2024-10-5(d), effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
(11) The obligation to file a monthly return under section 4.1 ends on the fifteenth day of the month following,
(a) for a consultant lobbyist, the month in which the registrar is informed under subsection (8) of the termination of the undertaking and of the date on which the termination occurred, and
(b) for an in-house lobbyist, the month in which the registrar is informed under subsection (9) that the in-house lobbyist has ceased to be an in-house lobbyist for the organization and of the date on which that cessation occurred.
Section 7 (4) (d) and (e) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-10, effective April 1, 2010.
(d) delegate, in writing, to a person employed in the registrar's office any of the registrar's functions under this Act;
(e) authorize a person to whom functions are delegated under paragraph (d) to subdelegate those functions to another person employed in the registrar's office.
Section 7 (4) (c) BEFORE amended by 2022-31-4, effective November 3, 2022 (Royal Assent).
(c) remove a return from the registry if the individual who filed the return does not comply with section 4 (2) (c);
Section 7.1 (3) BEFORE amended by 2023-10-508, effective March 30, 2023 (Royal Assent).
(3) If the registrar discovers that
(a) the subject matter of an investigation under this section is also the subject matter of an investigation to determine whether an offence under an enactment of British Columbia or Canada has been committed, or
(b) a charge has been laid with respect to that subject matter,
the registrar must immediately suspend his or her investigation and may not continue until the other investigation has been completed, the charge has been withdrawn or a final verdict has been rendered in respect of the charge.
Section 7.2 (2) (b) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-12(a), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(b) may impose an administrative penalty of not more than $25 000, and
Section 7.2 (2) (c) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-12(c), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(c) must give to the person notice
(i) of the registrar's determination that the person has not complied with a prescribed provision of this Act or the regulations and the reason for the decision,
(ii) if a penalty is imposed, of the amount, the reason for the amount and the date by which the penalty must be paid, and
(iii) respecting how the person may request reconsideration, under section 7.3, of the determination of non-compliance or the imposition or amount of the penalty.
Section 7.3 BEFORE amended by 2018-52-13, effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
Reconsideration
7.3 (1) Within 30 days after being informed of a contravention in accordance with section 7.2, a person may request the registrar to reconsider a decision under section 7.2 (2) (a) or (b), or both.
(2) A request under subsection (1) must be in writing and must identify the grounds on which a reconsideration is requested.
(3) On receiving a request for a reconsideration under subsection (1), the registrar must do all of the following:
(a) consider the grounds on which the reconsideration is requested;
(b) rescind the decision under section 7.2 (2) (a) or (b), or both, or confirm or vary the amount of the penalty;
(c) if the amount of an administrative penalty is confirmed or varied, extend the date by which the penalty must be paid;
(d) notify the person in writing of the matters under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection, as applicable, and of the reasons for the decision to confirm, vary or rescind under paragraph (b) of this section.
Section 7.4 BEFORE amended by 2018-52-14, effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
Payment of administrative penalties
7.4 (1) A person on whom an administrative penalty is imposed must pay the administrative penalty by the date stated in the notice under
(a) section 7.2 (2), if no reconsideration is requested under section 7.3, or
(b) section 7.3 (3), if a reconsideration is requested under that section.
(2) An administrative penalty constitutes a debt due to the government by the person on whom the penalty is imposed.
(3) If a person fails to pay an administrative penalty as required under subsection (1), the registrar may file with the Supreme Court or Provincial Court a certified copy of the notice imposing the administrative penalty and, on being filed, the notice has the same force and effect, and all proceedings may be taken on the notice, as if it were a judgment of that court.
(4) All administrative penalties received under this section must be paid into the consolidated revenue fund.
Section 7.8 (1) (b) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-16(a), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(b) the amount of any administrative penalty imposed and whether, at the time of making the report, the amount has been paid.
Section 7.8 (2) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-16(b), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(2) If the registrar considers it to be in the public interest, the registrar may include in a report details of any payment received, disbursement made or expense incurred by an individual named in a return filed under section 3 in respect of any communication or meeting referred to in the definition of "lobby" in section 1 (1).
Section 7.8 (3) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-16(c), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(3) If after a hearing under section 7.2 an administrative penalty is imposed, the registrar is not required to report under subsection (1) of this section until
(a) the time for requesting a reconsideration under section 7.3 (1) has expired, or
(b) the registrar has given notice of his or her decision under section 7.3 (3).
Section 7.91 (c) BEFORE amended by 236/2011, effective December 14, 2011.
(c) any of the matters set out in sections 7.8 (1) or (2) or 7.9 (2) (a).
Section 7.91 (part) BEFORE amended by 2024-10-7, effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
Reports made publicly available
7.91 In accordance with section 33.1 (1) (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the registrar may disclose inside or outside Canada a report that must be made under section 7.8 or that may be made under section 7.9 of this Act, and may include with the report
Section 7.92 (5) (c) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-17(a), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(c) in an application for judicial review of, or an appeal from, a decision of the registrar made under this Part.
Section 7.92 (6) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-17(b), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(6) If the registrar considers there is evidence of an offence against an enactment of British Columbia or Canada, the registrar may disclose to the Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Justice Branch, information relating to the commission of the alleged offence.
Section 8 (1) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-18, effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(1) The registry, including the dates when a lobbyist registered under this Act and completed or terminated an undertaking or otherwise ceased to be a lobbyist for the purposes of this Act, must be available for public inspection in the manner and at the times that the registrar may determine.
Section 10 (1) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-15(a), effective April 1, 2010.
(1) A person who contravenes section 3 (1) or 4 commits an offence.
Section 10 (4) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-15(c), effective April 1, 2010.
(4) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) or (2) is liable to a fine of not more than $25 000.
Section 10 (1) BEFORE amended by 2017-19-8, effective May 1, 2018.
(1) A person who contravenes section 2.1 (2), 3 (1) or (3) or 4 commits an offence.
Section 10 (1) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-19, effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(1) A person who contravenes section 2.1 (2), 2.2, 3 (1) or (3) or 4 commits an offence.
Section 10 (3.2) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-20, effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(3.2) A person who contravenes a prohibition imposed under subsection (7) commits an offence.
Section 10 (8) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-21, effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(8) If the registrar imposes a prohibition under subsection (7), the registrar must ensure that information relating to the prohibition is entered into the registry.
Section 10 (1) BEFORE amended by 2022-31-5, effective November 3, 2022 (Royal Assent).
(1) A person who contravenes section 2.1 (2), 2.2, 2.4, 3 (1) or (3), 4, 4.1 or 4.2 commits an offence.
Section 10.1 BEFORE amended by 2018-52-22, effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
Person not to be charged with both administrative penalty and offence
10.1 (1) A person subject to an administrative penalty under this Act must not be prosecuted under this Act for an offence in respect of the same incident that gave rise to the administrative penalty.
(2) A person charged under this Act with an offence must not be subject to an administrative penalty under this Act in respect of the same incident that gave rise to the charge.
Section 10.1 (1) and (2) BEFORE amended by 2021-3-18, effective March 25, 2021 (Royal Assent).
(1) A person subject to an monetary administrative penalty or administrative penalty of prohibition under this Act must not be prosecuted under this Act for an offence in respect of the same incident that gave rise to the monetary administrative penalty or administrative penalty of prohibition.
(2) A person charged under this Act with an offence must not be subject to an monetary administrative penalty or administrative penalty of prohibition under this Act in respect of the same incident that gave rise to the charge.
Section 11 (2) (c) BEFORE amended by 2002-72-1, effective November 21, 2002 (Royal Assent).
(c) prescribing any fee required to be paid under paragraph (b) or the manner of determining the fee and providing for different fees or for the waiver of a fee based on the manner in which a return is submitted to the registrar;
Section 11 (2) (d) BEFORE amended by 2001-42-11, effective October 28, 2002 (BC Reg 284/2002).
[Note: The above was amended by 2002-37-2, effective May 30, 2002 (Royal Assent).]
Section 11 (2) (a) BEFORE repealed by 2009-31-17(a), effective April 1, 2010.
(a) prescribing government corporations and government institutions for the purposes of section 1 (3) (c);
Section 11 (2) (a.1) to (a.3), (d.1), (e.1) and (f.1) were added by 2009-31-17(b), effective April 1, 2010.
Section 11 (2) (d) BEFORE amended by 2009-31-17(c), effective April 1, 2010.
(d) prescribing information for the purpose of section 4 (1) (c) (ii), (d) (ii) or (h) and the form and manner in which information required by the registrar under section 4 (2) to (4) is to be supplied;
Section 11 (2) (d.1) BEFORE repealed by 2017-19-9(b), effective May 1, 2018.
(d.1) prescribing positions for the purposes of section 4 (1.1) (c);
Section 11 (2) (a.1) BEFORE repealed by 2018-52-23(a), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(a.1) respecting the determination of time spent lobbying and establishing other criteria for the purposes of the definition of "in-house lobbyist" in section 1 (1);
Section 11 (2) (a.5) to (a.7) and (g.1) to (g.12) were added by 2018-52-23(b) and (e), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
Section 11 (2) (b) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-23(c), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(b) requiring a fee to be paid on the filing of a return or a class of return under section 3 or for any service performed or the use of any facility provided by the registrar;
Section 11 (2) (d) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-23(d), effective May 4, 2020 (BC Reg 235/2019).
(d) prescribing information for the purpose of section 4 (1) (p) and the form and manner in which information required by the registrar under section 4 (2) to (4) is to be supplied;
Section 11 (2) (g.10) BEFORE amended by 2018-52-23 as amended by 2020-14-15, effective May 4, 2020 [retro from August 14, 2020 (Royal Assent)].
(g.10) prescribing the form and manner for the supply of information to the registrar under section 4.2 (11);
Section 11 (2) (g.3), (g.7) and (g.10) BEFORE repealed by 2024-10-8, effective May 27, 2025 (BC Reg 55/2025).
(g.3) prescribing the form and manner for filing registration returns under section 3 (1) and (3);
(g.7) prescribing the form and manner for filing monthly returns for the purposes of section 4.1;
(g.10) prescribing the form and manner for the supply of information to the registrar under section 4.2 (10);