B.C. loosens lobbying rules, reducing transparency.

The article discusses recent amendments to British Columbia's Lobbyists Transparency Act, which will reduce reporting requirements for lobbyists, including non-profits. The B.C. government claims these changes will alleviate the reporting burden on smaller organizations, but experts warn that they will decrease transparency by obscuring details about lobbying activities, particularly those related to government funding requests. Critics argue that the amendments, which apply to all lobbyists, undermine public access to information about who influences government decisions, potentially facilitating unethical lobbying practices. The article highlights broader concerns about government transparency in Canada, noting public support for stronger lobbying laws amidst ongoing loopholes and barriers to accessing information. [Extracted from the article]