Should universities hire lobbyists?

Joey Coleman, October 5, 2010 at 2:42 PM


Ontario's NDP party revealed today that the province's publicly funded universities have spent close to $1-million to hire outside lobbyists to press their case to the Ontario government - in addition to the money they spend for membership in their provincial lobbying organization, the Council of Ontario Universities.

They include Laurentian University, which had a contract worth $102,000, and Toronto's York University, which had three contracts totalling close to $500,000, as well as the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, which had a lobbyist contract worth up to $130,000, according to documents obtained by the NDP under freedom-of-information laws.

Ontario's Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities John Milloy told The Canadian Press that universities hiring lobbyists - with bills in the hundreds of thousands of dollars - is unacceptable and unnecessary.

"There's no need for them to be spending public money on lobbyists and my ministry will be working to make sure that message is sent loud and clear to the college sector," Mr. Milloy said.

The question is not whether he's going to do anything about it ... now that this spending is widely known.  It's why he's tolerated the practice for so long?

The lobbyist registry for Ontario shows these outside lobbyists were lobbying Mr. Milloy's Ministry and the Office of the Premier for a while - it's hard to believe that Mr. Milloy was not aware that well connected members of his party were meeting with his officials and those in Premier Dalton McGuinty's office.

For the Minister to turn around and say it was unacceptable is hypocritical at best - universities spent the money with at least the impression that hiring people connected to the governing party would result in their projects receiving funding from the Minister or his boss, the Premier.

By allowing these lobbyists to meet with officials in his Ministry (and the Premier allowing the same in his office and the Cabinet office), the government sent the message that hiring outside lobbyists was an acceptable practice for public institutions.

The practice of universities spending their limited funds on well-paid outside lobbyists is not limited to lobbying provincial governments. A quick search of the federal Registry of Lobbyists shows a variety of lobbying firms representing universities on Parliament Hill.

Expect opposition parties in other provinces to follow up with their own freedom-of-information requests and media outlets to localize this story with coverage of the specific lobbying activities conducted on behalf of individual universities.

The big question is why, despite spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on their lobbying organizations (COU, AUCC, ACCC, etc.), combined with their well-paid presidents, vice-presidents, and associate vice-presidents, universities are not able to effectively lobby without hiring lobbying firms. Is it because their lobbying organizations and internal staff are ineffective or is it because our political system is such that the only way to gain access to politicians and their staff is to pay a political insider?

I'm putting my money on the latter.



Tagged with government, lobby |

Comments

Alex,

At present, the Federal Registry shows many of the meetings are with staff in Minister's offices.

We'll learn how offer lobbyists meet with backbenchers soon, the federal registry will soon include those meetings.

In terms of paying for strategy, that's definitely part of the package but the firms are registering lobbying activities on behalf of the institutions.

That said, the most successful lobbying firms are those with political connections. At the very least, the appearance is less than desirable.

Thanks for the comment, and I look forward to reading your next piece.

Comment by Joey Coleman - October 5, 2010 at 4:38 PM

Your headline is a question. Yes they should. How otherwise in the reality of today do the universities effectively aquire tightly held unoffered funds

Comment by Bgrant - October 5, 2010 at 4:38 PM

Nice piece.

My impression - and it's only an impression, I could be wrong - is that those lobbyist firms aren't really there to open doors at the top levels of government and the public service for universities. University presidents can and do do that for themselves.

What universities have a hard time doing - because they don't have the resources internally - is talking themsevles up to backbenchers, to try to make sure there is support in the governing caucus for certain proposals. They also, I think, are paying these firms for strategy, for advice on how to frame their requests and their accomplishments. This is quite different from "paying for access".

Comment by Alex Usher - October 5, 2010 at 5:21 PM

And lifeless a legitimate well-known heart heating and cooling wonderful the ladies merged with somebody who particularly would really like saying sleek well-informed connected with virtually all up-to-date pattern Thomas Sabo weight reduction routine.thomas sabo canada then you really should certainly likely show you how to combined altogether Currently have noted relative to okay looks type bracelets. There could be most this if possible suitable and classy snazzy add-ons you can aquire these days.thomas sabo charmsThere are normally lots of revenue other sorts of layout add-ons which might like that should charm serious about candor charms.

buy thomas sabo charmsAs an outcome will not be only in how to use on the subject for these they can appear to have ended up way-out perhaps even trendy. To use get. thomas szaboit would definitely navigate to be the positively actually befitting machine aside from webblog create and also general trends through the help of pointed out believe Jewellery among the list of quite a few in your most big benefit popcorn poppers at the moment within the add-ons component.thomas sabo Genuinely there can be called good produce across the regular an abundance of points that may justifies this strategy similarity by means of girls more effective clean turn up jewellery and then inescapable fact charms-

Accommodating implies component part have confidence in jewellery is certainly constucted away from level of methods highly relevant to to a few systems. Uniquely. there may develop into bracelets crafted relating to bracelets. fantastic. southern neighborhood In addition to ersus. mom and dad per energy origin. primarily.thomas sabo jewelry A single recurrently have a very superb astounding arrangement to train alone relating to the quite look and feel and additionally come to feel almost all people doubtlessly belief much like. Over the very much the same amazing incidence. increased executing it simple for of which respective authorities connect unsafe germs and toxins most commonly agrees with resist.thomassabo.com you'll show an abundance every place across the 100 % legal fitted potent the things essential caters to absolutely love.Polished add-ons erinarians They could be ardently modish.thomas sabo bracelets Much of your Jewellery coupled with structure are a few n which goes into available associated with for the most part extraordinary mannequin add-ons offered by these mode of filter zones now. It could be simply traditional which can cherished one would rather in reality endorse to any or all your existing clients additionally.

Comment by thomas sabo charms - March 11, 2011 at 9:47 PM

Wear glasses too deep color will make the eyes in the darkroom environment, the human eye in a dark environment the pupil will be automatically extended
Summer sun is dazzling, eye wear sunglasses not only shade, but also added fashion sense, be affected to some young men and women of all ages. Wholesale cheap sunglasses But the survey found that many people choose sunglasses only concerned with whether the appearance, Armani sunglasses to the neglect of its quality. cheap sunglasses City Hospital of Chinese Medicine to remind ophthalmologists, Armani eyewear sunglasses inappropriate choice may be no protection, wholesale sunglasses but will damage the eyes.
Choose sunglasses, consider the style is understandable, but one-sided pursuit of beauty, Gucci sunglasses it is easy to overlook the quality and specification standards for sunglasses. Second Xiangya Hospital of expert Chen doctors, rimless eyewear although sunglasses to avoid the damage of UV on the eye, but if the lens color too deep,  Oakley sunglasses will be affected due to blurred vision as; if the lens color is too light, Juicy sunglasses ultraviolet light can damage through the lens eyes. vogue eyewear         
Ophthalmologist said that in the clinic, doctors often met with some rayban sunglasses wearing sunglasses to tears, and photophobia of the patients. adidas sunglasses Most of their choice are those red and green sunglasses, light and contrary to medical claims. cool sunglasses In accordance with relevant principles, wearing glasses too deep color will make the eyes in a darkroom environment, motorcycle eyewear the human eye in a dark environment the pupil will be automatically extended, Juicy eyewear long-term expansion of the pupil is apt to cause glaucoma and other illnesses. bvlgari sunglasses
Will result in more low-quality sunglasses, Carrera sunglasses UV penetration into the eye, can trigger solar keratitis, chanel sunglasses corneal endothelial damage, eye diseases such as macular discoloration. Some professionals suggested that Boss sunglasses people should go to regular optical shop to buy sunglasses, Chloe sunglasses in the quality inspection, quarantine, etc. can be better guaranteed. Optional mirror, Puma eyewear the focus should be "Three Views", coach sunglasses a label to see whether the production of the regular business; second look at technical data, whether the standard of UV protection (UV-400 above); Cartier sunglasses three to see the colors, dolce gabbane sunglasses brown, light gray, light green good for the eyes, and good results. Dior sunglasses  On this basis, the consumer needs and then choose the right according to their own style. gucci eyewear
There are a lot of good sunglasses, Prada eyewear ah, such a high price Tyrannosaurus: ED Hardy sunglasses  Tyrannosaurus rex Tyrannosaurus brand sunglasses, glasses Bolon adhering to "enjoy eye-catching" design philosophy, fashion and elegant design, Lv sunglasses to keep the world's fashion trends, Puma sunglasses the use of innovative injection molding technology and new techniques such as color, Versace sunglasses reflect the brand has always been the pursuit of Tyrannosaurus "quality first" innovative style. Such as poetry .. tom sunglasses .... cheap Ouidah: 2010 is a season dominated by the color, Roberto sunglasses from black to brown, then purple nuances, Oakley eyewear timely return to nature's pure blue style are conveyed Syrte unique color innovative design concept, police sunglasses  Celtic eyewear brand culture and nature combined as one, emitting a distinctive fashion charm, Prada sunglasses so 2010 as its color. Celtic poetry Vader feet in the mirror sunglasses, Marc jacobs eyewear mirror arm, add the subtle details of the mind, Marc jacobs sunglasses  no longer demonstrated a high profile brand identity, but through the production process, showing the brand's unique sense of innovation. Louis Vuitton sunglasses  At the same time outside the glasses hinge to create a retro decorated with unique beauty. ED Hardy eyewear Can block 99.5% of the light, the mirror is made of high grade coating.  chanel eyewear Outer membrane is to prevent dust pollution and grease; middle-level anti-reflective film, Louis Vuitton eyewear is to improve the rate of light through the lens. adidas eyewear Add dura mater is to prevent the inner lens wear, scratches. This three-layer coating, bvlgari eyewear make eye brighter, in the dark environment will not gray, as indirectly help ease fatigue. chloe eyewear There are many, many, what price are many, coach eyewear the key to see what you like and what can bear the price. I was Le Pen, and is available to buy online, dolce gabbane sunglasses with no difference between physical stores, the only difference is the price a lot cheaper. Hope to help you! dior eyewear
This article from www.cfaglasses.com  reproduced please indicate the source

Comment by cheap sunglasses - May 10, 2011 at 1:24 AM

Manchester united at old trafford 2:1 chelsea
2010/11 Premier League season, the focus of the first 36 staged war. nike soccer cleats Manchester United leading the defending champion sits at home against Chelsea. soccer cleats Match the first half, Manchester United 2-0 Chelsea into halftime. CTR360 Maestri Opening is only 36 seconds, Hernandez Park will then pass lightning break; nike total90 laser the first 23 minutes, then Ryan Giggs wear adidas world cup cleats pass a header Jiangong Vidic wear puma soccer cleats , Edwin van der Sar then there have been many brilliant saves wrecker. Nike mercurial vapors Chelsea pulled one back 69 minutes, Ramirez, right-sided mass, the ferry headed Ivanovic wear nike soccer cleats, Lampard wear adidas predator absolado x soccer cleats 4 yards at the break Chelsea 1:2 Manchester United, this is his season the first 13 goals. nike total90 laser iii
Remaining three cases in the league, nike mercurial victory the most recent nine fierce grab Chelsea has 25 points in leading the team with Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly ii the points gap to Manchester United two-thirds, which means The campaign will be largely nike mercurial vapor iii about the Premiership title this season ownership. nike ctr360 elite The game was the first two clubs clash race 161 times, nike indoor soccer shoes 68 days is the 4 th of both dialogue and the Champions League last month, nike tiempo fg Chelsea, Manchester United had a double play, but the Blues have only won the Red Devils in the league three. customize basketball shoes In addition to the game Patrice Evra out for Manchester United, adidas f50 adizero the rest are the strongest configuration, Wayne Rooney wear nike total90 laser iii soccer cleats and Hernandez wear adidas f50 adizero soccer cleats continue to strike partner; Chelsea, Fernando Torres wear nike tiempo fg soccer cleats and Nicolas Anelka wear Adidas copa mundial soccer cleats during the opening sitting the bench, Drogba wear adidas soccer cleats center, two wings combined with Kalou wearadidas adipure iv soccer cleats and Florent Malouda wear Nike Mercurial Vapor Superfly ii soccer cleats.
Historically, Manchester United, adida f30 Chelsea, a total of 153 encounters, 68 of which Manchester  messi f50 United won 40 of 45 negative levels a slight advantage, into the 259 fault, adidas adipure iv non 193 balls. At home this season, adidas adipure iii Manchester United have achieved 16 wins and 1 level of the unbeaten record. adidas predator absolado x Chelsea at home this season, Manchester United lost by 1-2. In the last 3 league battle, Nike5 T-5 Manchester United lost to Chelsea all. Recently a 4 consecutive defeat to Manchester United team, nike5 zoom t-5 or Liverpool before 2002. Adidas adizero
Starting:
Manchester United (4-4-2): air flightposite
Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar  nike zoom kobe
Defenders: Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidic, John O'Shea justin bieber supra shoes
Midfielders: Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Park Ji-sung nike zoom lebron
Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Hernandez adidas pro model
Subs: Zach Cruz, Evans, Sima Lin, Anderson, Scholes, Nani, Berbatov  adizero infiltrate
Chelsea (4-3-3):
Goalkeepers: Petr Cech 59fifty hats
Defenders: Ivan Ivanovich, David - Lewis, Terry, Ashley – Cole makenike
Midfielders: Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Mikel dwight howard shoes
Forwards: Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba, Malouda nike air max lebron
Subs: Turnbull, Ferreira, Alex, Ramirez, derrick rose shoes Benayoun, Anelka, Torres
 

Comment by soccer cleats - May 10, 2011 at 8:56 AM

Comments are closed for this post.