Calgary city council moving forward with exploring creation of lobbyist registry

Calgary city council is taking a step towards greater transparency by exploring the creation of a lobbyist registry. Council voted 13-2 to direct city administration to conduct a review of how other Canadian municipalities manage similar registries and to assess the potential scope, coverage, and costs involved.

“

It is our responsibility to conduct ourselves in these spaces as openly and as transparently as possible. I don’t think it’s unfair to say that the City of Calgary and this chamber and these offices have seen its fair share of scandals and that the public has every reason to be concerned.

Councilors supporting the motion emphasized the need for open and transparent lobbying practices. Ward 9 Coun. Harrison Clark stated that while the registry won't stop lobbying, it will ensure it happens openly. He noted that Calgary has a history of scandals, giving the public valid reasons for concern.

“

Calgary is growing up as a city, right now we manage budgets that rival or exceed that of many provinces. When we think of billions of dollars at stake, not just the money but also the potential impact on neighbourhoods and quality of life, it’s really important for Calgarians to have that line of sight in terms of how decisions are made.

The initiative gains significance in light of an ongoing RCMP investigation into alleged municipal corruption at city hall, though no charges have been laid. Mayor Jeromy Farkas, who co-signed the motion, has previously advocated for a lobbyist registry, including it in his campaign platforms. He highlighted that Calgary manages budgets comparable to some provinces, making transparency crucial given the billions of dollars and the impact on quality of life at stake.

“

If a lobbyist registry helps increase that transparency then I’m all for it.

Currently, Calgary lacks a formal mechanism to disclose lobbying activities. While city councilors were previously required to disclose their meetings, this is now voluntary after the provincial government removed municipal codes of conduct. Some councilors, like Ward 4's DJ Kelly, already voluntarily disclose their meetings and support the registry as a way to enhance transparency. Ward 2's Jennifer Wyness, despite some criticism that the motion was a "headline grabber," voted in favor, noting it only commits to studying the possibility rather than immediately establishing a registry.

“

All we voted on in there was a report back on the possibilities of what a lobbyist registry could be, should be, and what our processes are.