government and lobbyists. video – what is a lobbyist? feature=related
TRANSCRIPT
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_vxqhI
Lobbying Against Lobbyists:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvhgF_pYGh8
The 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!