ALL Albertans have a right to Participate in Democracy
Small Business Should not be punished by the UCP

A MESSAGE FROM JOHN WILLIAMS (Founding Member of the UCP, Founding Board Member of Banff Kananaskis, Past President of Banff Kananaskis and current board member for Calgary Mountain View)

RATIONALE: There are several logical reasons why the proposed governance policy to prevent registered lobbyists from holding board positions is flawed, especially when it fails to account for corporate lobbyists.

The NDP works with their Stakeholder groups and do not prevent activist union lobbyist or others to be excluded. Punishing business is anti Albertan and arguably goes against our Charter Rights.

Here’s why it’s a bad idea:

1. Unfair Discrimination Against Registered Lobbyists: This policy unfairly singles out lobbyists without recognizing that lobbying is a legitimate form of advocacy and political participation. Many registered lobbyists operate within the law, with transparency, and often provide valuable expertise on policy matters. They should not be automatically excluded from civic participation based on their profession, especially when they can offer unique insights into public policy.

2. Failure to Differentiate Between Types of Lobbyists: The policy doesn’t distinguish between corporate, nonprofit, or grassroots lobbyists. Corporate lobbyists, who often advocate on behalf of business interests, are treated the same as those advocating for nonprofit organizations, unions, or community groups. This one-size-fits-all approach is overly simplistic and fails to recognize that some lobbyists are advancing causes that align with public interest rather than private gain.

3. Undermines Expertise and Political Engagement: Lobbyists, by the nature of their work, tend to be highly knowledgeable about government, policy issues, and legislative processes. Excluding them from board positions deprives boards of individuals who can contribute significant expertise, particularly in areas related to law, governance, and policy advocacy. Instead of creating conflicts of interest, these skills could strengthen decision-making on boards.

4. Ignores Existing Oversight and Transparency: Registered lobbyists are already subject to strict oversight through the Alberta Lobbyist Registry and are required to disclose their activities. The Office of the Ethics Commissioner provides checks and balances to ensure lobbyists act ethically. The existence of this regulatory framework makes it redundant to prevent lobbyists from holding board positions, as any conflicts of interest can already be managed through transparency and disclosure.

5. Stifles Civic Participation: The policy sends the wrong message about civic engagement. It implies that certain professions are inherently suspect or corrupt, which discourages individuals from participating in democratic processes. Rather than excluding lobbyists, governance policies should promote inclusive and balanced representation, encouraging participation from a wide range of professionals, including those who have the skills and knowledge to navigate complex policy environments.

6. Creates a Double Standard for Corporate Lobbyists: The proposal doesn’t address corporate interests that influence boards indirectly. Corporations and businesses often have significant political influence through channels other than registered lobbyists, such as donations, sponsorships, or informal relationships with policymakers. Banning registered lobbyists from boards while ignoring corporate power creates a double standard that doesn’t effectively address undue influence in politics.

7. Restricts Representation in Political Decision-Making: Many lobbyists represent a wide array of interests, from business sectors to environmental groups, and labor unions to healthcare advocates. Excluding them from constituency boards reduces the diversity of voices in political decision-making. Effective governance requires a range of perspectives, including those who can articulate and defend the interests of different sectors and communities.

8. Potential for Unintended Consequences: By removing lobbyists from boards, the policy could result in less transparency rather than more. Lobbyists who are excluded from formal roles may seek informal ways to influence board decisions, creating a more opaque system of influence. The policy could also lead to lobbyists withdrawing from active engagement in local politics altogether, which may limit the pool of qualified, knowledgeable candidates willing to participate in boards.

In summary, the proposal to ban lobbyists from the Provincial Board and Constituency Boards in Alberta is overly broad, unfairly discriminatory, and ignores the value of professional expertise. It also fails to address corporate influence effectively and risks reducing transparency and civic engagement rather than enhancing it. A more nuanced approach that focuses on transparency, disclosure, and managing conflicts of interest would be more effective.

Anyone who wants to volunteer their time to our Board or Constituency Associations should be permitted to do so. This resolution if not defeated will send a message to Albertans that business owners and the business community are not welcome or supported in the UCP.

For More information do not hesitate to call John Williams at 403-629-0404

VOTE FOR SMALL BUSINESS - VOTE AGAINST RESOLUTION #10