Lobbyist registry remains mired in delays

It's been eight months since Premier Brian Gallant said he wanted to know why a lobbyist registry still wasn't operating in New Brunswick and there's still nothing in place.

Officials in Gallant's office say work has been progressing slowly on setting up the database of consultants and in-house lobbyists who deal with the provincial government on behalf of employers and paying clients.

Legislation to set up the registry was passed by the previous Progressive Conservative government in May 2014.

After taking over as premier, Gallant said last November he didn't know why the registry wasn't already operating.

He said he asked the Executive Council Office for "an update on exactly where it is and why it might have stalled."

As someone who supported the idea from the beginning, Gallant said he wanted to know "why it hasn't been enacted and why the follow-through hasn't happened and what barriers remain."

The law would require lobbyists who meet with government officials to disclose publicly who they represent and why they meet.

The provincial government hopes to use similar software to what Nova Scotia has been using. According to Gallant's office, pursuing co-operation with that province is why things are taking so long.

Last November, Doug Tyler, a former Liberal insider who said some of his consulting work would qualify as lobbying, said he supported the Gallant government establishing the registry quickly.

"It's there for everybody to see, it's been a long time coming and they should do it as quickly as possible," he said.

Registry promised in 2007

The Graham Liberals promised a registry in their 2007 response to a commission studying legislative democracy. But they later said they would try instead to create a regional registry with the three other Atlantic governments.

The Alward PCs promised one in the 2010 election campaign, but withdrew legislation they introduced citing technological delays. They finally passed the bill last spring, but did not establish regulations to allow it to operate.

Those regulations have still not been put in place by the Gallant Liberals.

Opposition LeaderBruce Fitch says there's no reason why the government hasn't been able to get the system in place.

"He's been in office now almost a year and still no registry," Fitch says.

A registry would allow New Brunswickers to see who is trying to influence government decision-making.

"It just gives that clarity," he says.