Preparing for the Ontario Lobbyist Registration Act Review: PAAC Ontario Member Feedback Roundtable

Preparing for the Ontario Lobbyist Registration Act Review: PAAC Ontario Member Feedback Roundtable.

On September 15 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST, join PAAC Ontario Board Members and W. Scott Thurlow from WST Advocacy and Public Affairs for a members-only roundtable discussion on possible improvements to the Ontario Lobbyist Registration Act (the LRA) and to share your feedback on the review. Click here to register.

In the next session of the Ontario Legislature, the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly will commence its mandatory five-year review of the LRA. PAAC Ontario is proactively seeking member feedback to inform our submission to this important review.  

Material for members to consider will be distributed to attendees in advance of the event, and we look forward to a fulsome discussion.

Guest Speaker:

W. ScottThurlow

Mr. Thurlow, a lawyer, was called to the bar of Ontario in 2003. He currently serves as counsel to over 30 clients on regulatory matters and policies pertaining to Chemicals Management, Climate Change, Elections Law, Government ethics and lobbying rules.

Mr. Thurlow has been a key advisor to many fortune five hundred companies on matters relating to lobbying and political law in Canada. He has represented consultant lobbyists and companies in front of the Commissioner of Lobbying investigative branch. He has provided counsel to association boards and c-suite executives on their obligations under the federal and provincial registration acts. 

Mr. Thurlow has represented both candidates and elected officials in their dealings with the Conflict of Interest Commissioner. Mr. Thurlow has represented candidates in the Ontario Courts, and has served as legal counsel to dozens of election campaigns. Mr. Thurlow has also previously served as Legal Counsel to Elections Canada.

From 2012-2014, he served as the President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA),where he represented the interests of the producers of Ethanol and Renewable Diesel in Canada.

Scott earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Carleton University, a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, and his law degree from the University of Ottawa.  

Scott served on the national board of directors of Equal Voice from 2014-2019, and was the national capital region co-chair from 2015-2019. He is currently as an advisor to GreenPac, a charity dedicated to endorsing environmentally minded candidates for political office. He has previously served as a board member for Carefor(2009-2012), Biotalent Canada (2014) and the Government Relations Institute of Canada (GRIC) (2012-2014).

Moderator:

Allyson Grant, Advocacy Chair, Public Affairs Association of Canada, Ontario Chapter

Allyson Grant is a Manager in Strategy Corp’s Ottawa office. She brings with her an understanding of federal politics and the priorities of the current government, ethnocultural community advocacy, and experience working with leaders in Canada’s energy sector.

She is experienced in public policy development, stakeholder relations and grassroots advocacy campaigns, particularly building consensus around complex policy issues. Allyson’s areas of policy expertise include Canada’s energy industry and Indigenous involvement in resource development, sustainable economic growth, and international relations.

Before joining Strategy Corp, Allyson was the Government Relations and Indigenous Affairs Advisor at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. She has also served as the Director of Government Relations at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and as a Communications Advisor for the Liberal Party of Canada, managing a team and providing policy and communications advice to candidates across Canada.

Allyson holds a Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Ottawa, and an Honours Bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Calgary. Outside of work, she is passionate about women and youth in leadership and her Whippets, Laurier and Lana. She also volunteers with a number of Jewish community groups.

Agenda:

12:00pm–12:05pm–Welcome, Recap of PAAC’s position on the Ontario Integrity Commissioner’s Recommendations to the LRA review

12:05pm-12:20pm –Presentation from Mr. Thurlow on the LRA

12:20pm-12:30pm –Member Q&A

12:30pm–12:55pm –Member feedback and discussion

12:55pm-1:00pm –Wrap Up with PAAC Ontario President Alex Greco

‍Members: FREE