Lobbying activities now viewable to the public through online lobbyist registry

News Release

The City of Kelowna has launched a new online lobbyist registry at kelowna.ca to promote transparency and accountability in Council decision making.  

The Lobbyist Registry Policy was endorsed by Council and came into effect on September 11, 2023. The registry requires individuals and organizations who communicate with City Council members for the purpose of influencing a Council decision to publicly document their lobbying activities.

The policy defines applicable lobbying activities, sets parameters for registering, and allows for public access to the registry. It also provides exemptions where the policy does not apply and when it is not required to register. This includes, but is not limited to, government officials from all levels of government and correspondence submitted for a public hearing or sent to all of Council through Council correspondence.

Anyone engaging in lobbying activities is required to register within five days of the initial communication with a Council member.

The registry is updated each weekday with new registrations.

For more information on the lobbyist registry, to access the Council policy or view the registry, and to register, visit kelowna.ca/lobbyistregistry