With regards to BC lobbying rules around gifts, does it make a difference if refreshments are available buffet-style and the public office holder just helps themselves?
It does not make a difference; the refreshments are considered to be gifts.
There are three key elements of the LTA regarding gifts:
- Prohibition: The LTA prohibits a lobbyist from giving or promising to give, directly or indirectly, any gift to any public office holder the lobbyist is lobbying.
- Exception test: A gift to a public office holder whom the lobbyist is lobbying is only acceptable if it meets both parts of the two-part test in the LTA:
- The gift is given or promised under the protocol or social obligations that normally accompany the duties or responsibilities of office of the public office holder; AND
- The total value of gifts given or promised to the public office holder by the lobbyist in accordance with the protocol or social obligations over any given 12-month period is less than $100.
3. Reporting requirement: The LTA requires that ALL gifts given or promised to be given by a lobbyist to ALL public office holders the lobbyist is lobbying must be declared.