The City of Guelph has initiated the creation of a municipal lobbyist registry to promote transparency and prevent potential conflicts of interest. The registry will require individuals, corporations, and organizations engaging with council members or senior staff to register their names, contact information, and the dates of their interactions. Mayor Cam Guthrie emphasized the importance of disclosure to ensure that those seeking to influence decision-making have clear motives. The registry aims to cover both for-profit and non-profit entities with financial interests or seeking grant funding. While some municipalities have implemented similar registries, Guelph’s initiative is part of a wider effort to establish a province-wide system with consistent rules.
