Concerns about Sask. lobbyists, political donations raised by NDP

Three months after the provincial government launched a new system to keep track of lobbyists in Saskatchewan, dozens of consultants and company representatives have formally registered to bend the ear of officials on everything from potashto beer.

It turns out before they were lobbyists, a number of them were involved with theSaskatchewanParty.

The searchable database was activated Aug. 23.

• EXTERNAL LINK: Office of the Registrar of Lobbyists Saskatchewan

Since then, lobbyists working for more than 100 companies or organizations have registered.

In some cases, a single lobbyist usually a consultant has registered as the representative for a number of clients.

Lobbyists with political links

Some of the busiest have links to theSaskatchewanParty.

Terri Harris, for example, who had previously worked for Brad Wall foryears,is listed as the lobbyist for the Great Western Brewery Company and the Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Association, among others.

She's a former chief of operations and former deputy chief of staffwith the Premier's office.

Another lobbyist, Lance Donison, is associated with no less than 17clients including a law firm, three medical associations and a collection of firms with agricultural interests.

On his LinkedIn page, Donison says he had previouslyworked for the Sask. Party in a variety of positions over 10 years. Most recently he was the party's development directorwhere he "built and managed strong relationships with existing donors and friends of the organization."

In 2011, Donison began working for Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

"We welcome the lobbyist registry. It is there for transparency," Donisontold CBC on Wednesday.

Donison said his job is to educate elected and unelected officials on potential consequences of legislation and to help his clients tell their story.

There's at least one high-profile New Democrat on the lobbyist list.

Cam Broten, the former leader of the provincial NDP who lost his seat in the last election, is noted as the lobbyist for Saskatchewan Egg Producers.

Donations from lobbyist raised in legislature

The appearance on the registry of people associated with companies that have made political donations caught the eye of the Opposition NDP.

Hill+Knowlton Strategies, the company Donison works for, was referred to by NDPcritic David Forbes. He didn't name Donison or the company in the legislature, but mentioned the companyhadcontributed $27,000 to the Sask. Party.

Donisonsaid the money was used to buytickets to Sask.Party fundraising dinners over a period of five yearson behalfof Hill+Knowlton clients.

Trent Wotherspoon, the current NDP leader, said the intersection of donations and lobbying raises questions about the influence of corporate dollars on the political process.

"These sort of donations, this sort of big money makes Saskatchewan people question their democratic process," Wotherspoon said.

• Saskatchewan the 'wild west' for campaign finance laws, says Alberta group

Justice Minister Gordon Wyant noted the province has a whole set of rules regarding registered lobbyists, including requirements concerning former government employees.

"In the legislation there are cooling off periods for individuals that work in this building," Wyant said at the Saskatchewan Legislature Wednesday.

"That cooling off period is specifically there to ensure that someone doesn't leave the building and start lobbying the people he was working with."

According to the registrar of lobbyists, people who undertake lobbying efforts whether they are based inside or outside Saskatchewan have 30 days to register their activities.