A recent adjustment to the lobbying regulations in Canada has resulted in a significant decrease in sponsored trips for members of Parliament, as per an analysis by CBC News. Despite this change, several MPs are still traveling to countries like Taiwan, China, and India, courtesy of foreign entities and organizations that are not registered as lobbyists.
Duff Conacher, one of the founders of Democracy Watch, commended the modification but emphasized the need for further action. He stated that sponsored travel is a type of legalized bribery that should be completely prohibited to prevent the influence on politicians’ decision-making processes.
The House of Commons ethics committee is currently reviewing the Lobbying Act, which currently lacks restrictions on MPs accepting sponsored travel, apart from the obligation to disclose the trip details and expenses to the ethics commissioner. Some MPs have accumulated substantial costs from these trips. While critics view these trips as extravagant excursions, MPs argue that they offer valuable opportunities to gain insights into various issues, enhance international relations, and observe developments in other countries.
In 2023, MPs accepted sponsored travel valued at $875,528 to various global destinations. In response to the lack of updates to the Lobbying Act by Parliament, Lobbying Commissioner Nancy Bélanger amended the code of conduct in 2023 to prohibit registered lobbyists from providing MPs with gifts exceeding $40, including sponsored travel.
However, this amendment by Bélanger does not carry any penalties beyond submitting a report to Parliament since it was made under the code and not the law. Bélanger emphasized the need to restrict lobbyists from giving gifts to individuals they lobby, as it creates a sense of obligation. She suggested that if MPs require international travel for official duties, they should have a designated budget for such purposes.
In 2023, lobbying groups spent $409,641 on sponsored travel for MPs, but this figure decreased to $11,091 in 2025. As of the current year, no MP has reported accepting a trip funded by a registered lobbying group. On the other hand, non-registered lobbying groups spent $465,887 in 2023, which decreased to $218,189 in 2024 but slightly rose to $95,595 this year.
The Office of the Lobbying Commissioner does not have jurisdiction over groups that do not meet the lobbying registration requirements or foreign governments. The appointment of a foreign influence watchdog has been in progress, aiming to establish a foreign registry to monitor external influences, with Anton Boegman approved as the country’s first foreign influence transparency commissioner.
Despite the revised rules, instances have been identified where lobbying groups sponsored travel for MPs and later engaged with the MPs. However, no reports of breaches have been issued under the new provision since its implementation. Bélanger made an exception for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), imposing a two-year restriction on lobbying MPs who were part of a trip scheduled before the rule change.
Various groups, including Saab Canada and Human Concern International, sponsored trips for MPs, with some engaging in lobbying activities afterward. The Canadian-Muslim Vote sponsored trips for MPs to destinations like Jordan and the West Bank but has not reported lobbying any MPs. Some lobbying groups, such as Canadian Foodgrains Bank, have ceased sponsoring travel and shifted their focus to lobbying activities.
The changes in lobbying regulations have prompted organizations to reevaluate their engagement strategies with MPs. For instance, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank has transitioned to hosting film events as a way to interact with policymakers effectively.