PACT's Response to the Federal Lobbying Regulations

July 22, 2026

In response to the Federal Lobbying Regulations changes that came into effect on January 19, 2026, PACT issued a submission to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics - Statutory Review of the Lobbying Act on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. 

The submission outlines PACT's support for the Commissioner's Recommendation that the Act be amended to exclude communications with public office holders about the

• awarding of grants, contributions, and other financial benefits where the funding is below a defined monetary threshold,
• or where it is awarded through an “established and transparent process” or a “recurring operational funding model.”

PACT further recommends that: 

The Committee support and strengthen the Commissioner’s Recommendation by amending the Lobbying Act to exclude routine grant and contribution applications from the definition of registrable lobbying activity where the funding is:

1. Below a defined monetary threshold;
2. Awarded through an established and transparent application process; or
3. Provided through a recurring operational funding model.

Exception should apply to communications made by charities, not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, and other public-benefit organizations in response to federal program criteria, including applications submitted through portals, standardized forms, recurring program intakes, or other transparent application mechanisms.

Any amendment be accompanied by clear, plain-language guidance for organizations. This guidance should include practical examples of when grant-related activity does and does not require registration.

View PACT's full submission below. 

Submission to the Standing Committee on Access to Information - PDF

Submission to the Standing Committee on Access to Information - Word

PAA and PACT will continue to monitor this issue and provide further updates as more information becomes available.

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