Belleville Council rejects asking staff to investigate forming a lobbyist registry in a 4-5 vote

Motion

WHEREAS a Lobbyist Registry is a tool that provides accountability and transparency to lobbying activities by giving the public access to information about who is communicating with public office holders;

AND WHEREAS section 223.9 of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorizes the City of Belleville to establish and maintain a Lobbyist Registry in which shall be kept registrations and returns filed by persons who lobby the City of Belleville public office holders;

AND WHEREAS section 223.11 of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorizes the City of Belleville to appoint a Lobbyist Registrar who is responsible for performing in an independent manner the functions assigned by the City of Belleville with respect to the Lobbyist Registry;

AND WHEREAS section 8, 9 and 10 of the Municipal Act, 2001 authorizes the City of Belleville to pass by-laws necessary or desirable for municipal purposes, and in particular paragraph 2 of subsection 10(2) authorizes by-laws respecting the accountability and transparency of the municipality and its operations;

AND WHEREAS the Council of the City of Belleville is committed to good governance and to continually act in the best interest of all residents, abiding by our Mission Statement and Core Values,

NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Belleville supports the establishment and maintenance of a Lobbyist Registry to provide transparency about persons who lobby the City of Belleville; and,

The Council of the City of Belleville directs staff to draft a report for Council’s consideration no later than the second regular Council meeting in November 2017 that clearly explores a range of options for the regulation of lobbying activities with the goal of selecting the model best suited for the City of Belleville; and, That each option identify the timeframe to successfully implement the Lobbyist Registry and the resources required.