Readout — Fall 2025 LRCN conference

October 1, 2025 
Saint Andrews, NB

The Lobbyists Registrars and Commissioners Network (LRCN) met in Saint Andrews, New Brunswick from September 29 to October 1st on the ancestral territory of the Peskotomuhkati Nation.

The New Brunswick host opened the meeting with an observance and reflection on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 

Throughout the meeting the lobbying regulators shared updates from their respective jurisdictions and discussed commonalities and lessons learned. Attendees also exchanged information and techniques on reaching lobbyists who may not currently be aware of their obligations under their respective Acts.

Lobbyisme Québec presented their work to date exploring the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence to support the organization in achieving its mission and operations. Additional topics of discussion included cooling-off periods for officials, recent legal findings, and a more in-depth exploration of registration thresholds.

The network recently agreed to increase collaboration on a continuous basis. The Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada agreed to take on a secretariat function to coordinate logistics and the sharing of information. Further, the network agreed to work together between meetings to develop discussion papers on topics that have impacts across jurisdictions in Canada.

The regulators emphasized the importance of legislators prioritizing lobbying transparency and ethics. In many jurisdictions across Canada, legislative updates are needed.  Several jurisdictions are expecting their legislation to be studied in the near future or are advocating for a legislative review.  Regulators look forward to supporting legislators in enhancing transparency and supporting a healthy democracy. Members agreed that it is essential that legislators engage them in such legislative reviews and in the development of changes.

The LRCN will meet again virtually in spring 2026. The next in-person meeting will be hosted by Alberta in fall 2026.  

The Lobbyists Registrars and Commissioners Network represents a group of Canadian regulators responsible for enforcing lobbying laws, regulations and policies.