Government and Lobbyists

Video – What Is A Lobbyist?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0psWOfgN80&feature=related

Activity: read pages 51 – 53 in your textbook and complete the SEE-I reading comprehension chart as you read

Be prepared to share your answers!

Meet a Lobbyist

This Chantal… she represents the medical industry of Canada!

She: Works with politicians in

committee work Arranges for experts to

come in and talk to them Pressures the government

to make changes that the “medical industry” wants to see.

Chantal CourchesneLobbyist for: The Canadian Medical Industry

Meet a Lobbyist

An Example: In 2007, Chantal helped

to have a cigarillo banned in Canada because it was marketed to look like candy (obviously it encouraged young people to try it)

Chantal CourchesneLobbyist for: The Canadian Medical Industry

Meet a Lobbyist

She didn’t do this by herself. She worked with other lobby groups to get attention for this issue:

Canadian Coalition for Action on Tobacco

Canadian Cancer Society Non-Smoker’s Rights

Association Lung Association Dentist’s Association Heart and Stroke Foundation

Meet a Lobbyist

This Josh!He:

Works with politicians in committee work

Arranges for experts to come in and talk to them

Pressures the government to make changes that the Canadian communities wants to see.

Joshua BatesLobbyist for: The Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Meet a Lobbyist

Example: Politicians will ask him to find

a number of “shovel-ready” projects that they could invest in, example: to build a new university or establish a potash mine)… why would the government want to do this?

He may ask for more money from the federal gov’t for: RCMP policing in Calgary Help with public transit in

Montreal Some of the “gas tax” revenue

to be sent to the municipal gov’ts

Joshua BatesLobbyist for: The Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Other Canadian Lobbyists

There are more than… 5000 registered lobbyists in Canada! Re: The Hill Times – Feb 16, 2009 http://www.thehilltimes.ca/page/view/.2009.february.16.top_lobbyists_2009

Canadian Nuclear Association Rogers Communication Brewers Association of Canada Retailers Association of Canada Suncor Energy Canadian Gas Association Canadian Petroleum Producers Association Canadian AIDS Society Air Canada Grain Growers of Canada Canadian Recording Industry Environmental Defence Canada General Electric Canada

Individually, write down an issue that you think one of these lobbyists might have to deal with

The Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct Act

After a number of scandals involving lobbyists, Canada decided to tighten restrictions on lobbying…. Bill C-4 – The Lobbyists’ Code of Conduct Act

passed on May 17, 2004 set new rules for lobbyists

Guess… What rules do you think there should be?

Lobbyists and MPs are Legally Bound

Today, lobbyists are closely watched and legally bound:

All lobbyists must be registered Cannot meet about something that will directly profit the lobbyist

or the organization (example: a lobbyist weapons developer meeting with the Minister of Defense to sell weapons/planes

Illegal for a lobbyist to talk to a politician without an appointment (no casual conversations in the hall, at a restaurant, etc)

Records must be kept of topics discussed Disclose who they represent and reasons for approach Provide accurate info and not knowingly mislead Avoid exercising improper influence Avoid divulging confidential info without consent

A Difference B/W Canada and the US?

There is a lot of concern in the US about the influence lobbyists have over politicians

There will always be concern (in both Canada and the US) that lobbyists will “pay off” politicians

Can we trust them?

Thank You For Smoking:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBELC_vxqhILobbying Against Lobbyists:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvhgF_pYGh8The Onion’s Spoof on Lobbyists:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6LB30iPqIM&feature=PlayList&p=rMTKmOoGYfE

You’re a Lobbyist!

Agriculture – Farmers or Ranchers Tobacco Manufacturers

Gun Manufacturers International Toy Manufacturers National Food Safety Inspectors Music/entertainment industry

Doctors and Nurses

Pretend you are a lobbyist for one of the above groups and decide what your issue will be. Write a persuasive

paragraph convincing the government to see your point of view.

HOW EFFECTIVELY DOES CANADA'S FEDERAL POLITICAL SYSTEM

GOVERN CANADA FOR ALL CANADIANS?

The Big Question:

A Voice for FNMI People

Read page 44 in your textThis is one problem the government still

currently faces – they try to be as inclusive as possible, but some people will always feel excluded or discriminated against

--What does a government need in order to be

fair and democratic for all citizens? Does our government meet that criteria?

Government Criteria:

Elected representatives for all ridingsGovernment accountability through law and

the judicial systemLobbyists to provide alternative perspectivesAll citizens have the right to engage in

politics & voteInformed through media of government’s

actionsMedia is multi-cultural, as are (most)

government policiesFreedom of speech, religion, etc. (Charter

freedoms)Law-making process

SKITS!In groups of 3 – 5, get together and create a

short skit (about 3 mins) relating to the topics we’ve studied.

This could include: Law-making process Elections Political parties Lobbyists Media/interviews

They can be funny, creative, a parody, whatever you want –- as long as it is informative and has a point.Presentation time = 2:45. As soon as we’re done = early dismissal!