Types of lobbyists

There are two types of lobbyists in Yukon. These are in-house lobbyists and consultant lobbyists.

In-house lobbyist

You are an in-house lobbyist if:

  1. You are an individual employed by another individual, corporation, partnership or organization whose duties include lobbying on behalf of your employer;
  2. You are a self-employed person who carries out lobbying duties in relation to the business; or
  3. You are a “directing mind.” This means you are an individual who is a director, officer, partner, or otherwise controls the operations of the corporation, partnership or organization, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly and spends time performing lobbying duties for the benefit of the corporation, partnership or organization.

Something important to keep in mind: Being an in-house lobbyist doesn’t mean you have to register immediately unless you know your organization will reach the 20-hour threshold in a calendar year. The 20-hour threshold is based on actual lobbying time, for example, if it takes two months to do the research and 30 minutes to meet with a public office holder only 30 minutes to meet with the public office holder is counted as lobbying.

In-house lobbyists have two options, they can choose to register believing their organization will reach the 20-hour threshold in a calendar year or the organization can track their lobbying time and register once they reach the 20-hour threshold.
The 20-hour threshold is based on actual lobbying time, for example, if it takes two months to conduct research and 30 minutes to meet with a public office holder only the 30 minutes to meet with the public office holder is actual lobbying time.

Consultant lobbyist

You are a consultant lobbyist if you’re an individual who undertakes to lobby on behalf of a client.

Lobbying vs Advocacy

Advocacy is an activity that seeks to garner public support for, or make the public aware of, a particular issues.

Advocacy becomes lobbying when there is intent to influence public office holders to support or oppose changes in law, programming, funding arrangements, etc.