The city's first step toward creating a lobbyist registry will be to map out exactly what constitutes a lobbyist.

Yesterday, the accountability and transparency committee asked legal staff to come up with a definition of lobbying that will become the basis of the registry bylaw. The definition is expected to be sent out to the sub-committee, which includes the mayor, councillors, city staff and members of the community, within the next three weeks.

The lobbyist registry is supposed to make Hamilton's government more open and transparent. Once it is in place, it will allow residents to monitor who is attempting to influence decisions at City Hall.

Yesterday, the sub-committee grappled with what types of behaviour constitutes lobbying and who should be subject to the bylaw.

Most committee members argued that those with financial interests in council's decisions, such as developers, should be included in the city's definition of a lobbyist. On the other hand, they argued community members advocating for neighbourhood issues would not be defined as lobbyists.

The sub-committee is relying on Toronto's lead to help them through the process of creating the lobbyist registry. In 2008, Toronto became the first city in Canada to create one after a computer leasing scandal that led to an investigation by the Ontario Superior Court.

Toronto broadly defines a lobbyist as someone who represents an individual or organization that communicates with public office holders about council decisions. Neighbourhood residents and not-for-profit community groups are not considered lobbyists.

City solicitor Peter Barkwell says he will likely use Toronto's definition as a starting point and incorporate the discussions from yesterday's meeting.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger lobbied the city on behalf of American Water Services Canada Corp. before he became mayor.

ereilly@thespec.com

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