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7 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, September 23, 2009 Lobbyist registry still on Halton's radar By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Halton regional council took a step toward investigating whether the fast developing GTA municipality should have a lobbyist registry. Following an 80-minute debate, a two-thirds majority of council voted last Wednesday to form a sub-committee of willing councillors who will investigate and report back to council on options for such a registry. The sub-committee would also develop guidelines to provide public transparency and accountability for contacts by lobbyists with councillors and Regional staff. Essentially, the committee is charged with finding out whether a registry is needed, how much it would cost, who constitutes a lobbyist and what they would have to do when they wished to petition regional officials. "All I'm asking for is a sub-committee to look at it (a lobbyist registry)," Oakville Councillor Alan Johnston, the primary proponent of a registry, told council early into the debate. "I'm not asking for money today." However, before the sub-committee is even struck, Johnston and his Oakville colleague Allan Elgar, along with staff, will first have to get council's approval for the terms of reference of the committee -- who gets to sit on it, what its focus will be and when it will report back. Such registries exist at the provincial and federal levels and in the City of Toronto. They generally require paid lobbyists of public relations firms, inhouse lobbyists for corporations or associations, or others who may receive a financial benefit from a government to record non-public contact with politicians or government staff. There are numerous exemptions to the requirement to register, including for lawyers and politicians, and in Toronto, non-profit groups asking about grants or constituents calling about ward issues. Council's decision Wednesday meant a rejection of the recent recommendation by the administration and finance committee to essentially drop the issue without investigation, a position contrary to that held by staff. That motion had been made by Halton Hills Councillor Jane Fogal, who believes council was heading down an expensive path. She said other municipalities have looked at and rejected a lobbying registry, which she estimated would cost $200,000. Staff said they believe a registry could be done using existing staff, but that depends on how broad a registry council chose to implement. Elgar responded later that Fogal's estimate of $200,000 could be absorbed into the Region's $400 million operating budget. A number of other councillors also questioned whether there was a need for the registry, with some feeling the suggestion of one implied Halton's councillors were corrupt. "I can stand before you and anyone else, no one has ever bought me and no one ever will," said Oakville Councillor Fred Oliver. Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette said his method of dealing with development officials trying to lobby him has been to tell them to raise their concerns in front of a public council or committee session. They stop calling after that, he said. "I don't think there's a problem," said Burlington Councillor John Taylor, who said in his seven election cam- paigns he's never accepted donations from anyone, not even from his wife. "I want to go on record to say that if my wife, or your wives or husbands want to donate to my campaign next year I will accept those donations freely and willingly, including yours John," responded Oakville Councillor Jeff Knoll jokingly. Knoll was one of a group of councillors who said they were on the fence about a registry, but wanted more information before making a final decision. "The optics would look really bad if staff recommended this and council rejected it without any consideration," commented Knoll. In the end, those who haven't made up their mind went Knoll's way and voted with supporters of the registry, leading to the 14-7 vote. The full debate and recorded vote can be viewed at www.halton.ca/Council/video.htm. connected homecoming and fall fair saturday, september 26 OPEN HOUSE All members of the Appleby community ­ friends, alumni, students, parents and alumni parents ­ are welcome to attend. Events run 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. · Car Rally · Sports games · KidZone featuring bouncy castles, face painting and more! · Barbecue lunch 540 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville 905-845-4681, ext. 216 enrol@appleby.on.ca www.appleby.on.ca Saturday, October 17 Saturday, October 24 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Take a campus tour and see all that Appleby has to offer! BE Farley Foundation fundraiser Sept. 26 Abbey Animal Hospital is hosting a barbecue fundraiser to raise awareness for Animal Health Week and money for the Farley Foundation. Animal owners and enthusiasts are invited to the event taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 in the parking lot of Abbey Animal Hospital at 1131 Nottinghill Gate. There will be pet contests, a kiddie booth, doggie treat bake sale, barbecued hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and sausages, drinks, raffles and silent auctions. In 2008, the event raised $1,200 and this year's goal is $2,500. This year's edition will include dog contests for best trick, best costume and owner/pet look-a-like -- and special guest judge Mayor Rob Burton. The booth for kids will include balloons, stickers and colouring. The Farley Foundation offers assistance to veterinary clinics in Ontario to help cover the cost of necessary veterinary care for pets belonging to lowincome seniors, people with disabilities who receive the Ontario Disability Support Payment or women in abuse shelters who cannot otherwise afford treatment for their pets. For more information about the Farley Foundation, visit www.farleyfoundation.org Since 1985, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and Canadian veterinarians have been observing Animal Health Week. The is to promote animal health and responsible animal ownership.