A golf tournament for Senate employees asks for $400 from companies that want to sponsor it. The managers said that the tournament follows all ethics rules. . Senate .According to Blacklock’s Reporter, the tournament happens a few days before a new Lobbyists' Code starts. This new code limits the amount of gifts that public officeholders can receive to $40..“The organizers are employees of Senate administration,” said Alison Korn, spokesperson for the Senate. .“They are not public officeholders under the Lobbying Act.”.The current Lobbyists’ Code Of Conduct states “The term ‘public officeholder’ as defined in the Lobbying Act includes senators and members of the House of Commons and their staff, ministers and their staff and employees of federal departments and agencies.”.“Canadians should expect that all who participate in the development and application of public policy, laws and regulations will act in a manner that demonstrates respect for Canada’s democratic institutions,” says the Lobbyists’ Code. .“To avoid the creation of a sense of obligation, a lobbyist shall not provide or promise a gift, favour or other benefit to a public officeholder whom they are lobbying or will lobby which the public officeholder is not allowed to accept.”.The rules state that public officeholders should “avoid the creation of a sense of obligation” to corporations to sponsor the golf tournament..The Senate Corporate Security Directorate is soliciting $400 sponsorships for a one-day golf tournament at Manotick, ON. Participants are charged an additional $150 for play and a beef buffet. Tournament organizers are taking registration by a Senate fax and email account..Korn said that the tournament was meant to be a charitable event. When asked if the organizers got advice from the Lobbying Commissioner or Senate Conflict of Interest committee, Korn did not give a comment..The tournament is scheduled for June 29. A new Lobbyists’ Code taking effect July 1 limits corporations to “low-value gifts” to any public officeholder they may lobby. The Code defines “low-value” at $40 per event and a maximum of $200 per year, half the cost of the Senate golf sponsorships..“Canada’s parliamentary democracy and its institutions serve Canadians,” says the revised Code. .“Understanding and respecting that officials have a duty to serve the public interest over private interests is vital to ethical lobbying.”.“It is therefore essential that lobbyists avoid placing officials in real or apparent conflict of interest situations including where an official could reasonably be seen to have a sense of obligation towards a lobbyist,” says the Code.
